Inundation of the Wieringermeer

On April 17, 1945, the German occupying forces inundated the polder Wieringermeer, the Netherlands.

Preparations

In the end of February or the beginning of March 1945 Dutch workers started to undermine the dike around the polder under German command. The location is near the farm of Beetstra, in the dike with the IJsselmeer.

Deep holes were dug in the dike both at the bottom and at the top of the dike. In these holes explosives would be put. The work was going slowly, as none of the workers were motivated. In April the work came to a complete stop.

On April 10 however, German officers came and inspected the work. New workers were sought, and 25 to 50 people were taken from Schagen during a razzia to work on the digging. After a week, the holes are deep enough, and explosives were installed. Unexploded bombs from British and American aircraft were used. In each hole around 1000 kg. of explosives were put.

References

* "De polder onder water, het verslag van de onderwaterzetting van de Wieringermeerpolder in 1945", J. J. Bosman and P. C. Bosman, Free Media, 1995