Museumschool

Introduction:
The Netherlands decides to surrender to the German attackers after the bombing of Rotterdam in the fearful May Days of 1940. The Germans threaten to destroy Utrecht and other major Dutch cities in the same way as the city center of Rotterdam. The Dutch army put up brave resistance for four days, but the German superior force proved to be too great.


Arrival of the delegations
On the early morning of May 15, the Dutch Commander-in-Chief Winkelman and, among others, Major General Van Voorst tot Voorst, were accompanied by a German delegation from The Hague to Rijsoord, a town just below the heavily bombed Rotterdam. General Student of the German army had established a headquarters in the hotel in Rijsoord a few days ago. Later, the adjacent school was also involved, where the Dutch delegation was now taken.

Winkelman had no idea where he was being taken. When the Dutch staff and their escort arrived, they were filmed and photographed from all sides by the German photo and film service, which would use this as propaganda material in all newspapers. Local residents came to have a curious look, but only heard what had happened in their village the next day.


The capitulation
The Germans guide the Dutch to a former classroom that is now furnished for the actual capitulation. German General von Küchler, commander of the German 18th Army, spoke on behalf of Germany. Kurt Student himself is not present as he was seriously injured the day before during fighting in Rotterdam. General van Bock would not arrive until later.

Not long after their arrival, General Winkelman would sign the capitulation of the Netherlands, except for the province of Zeeland where French troops are still stationed. These, together with Dutch troops who would be placed under the French, would not capitulate until May 17.


Museum
The former school building now houses a museum. For example, the room in which the capitulation took place has been completely reconstructed with similar dolls in original uniforms. The museum also contains a small planetarium and an impressive film of the bombing of Rotterdam. The museum was founded by private individual Ad Los, who saved the building from demolition in 1995 by purchasing it. The museum opened on May 15, 2000 and can only be visited by appointment. The museum was previously known as the Johannes Post War and Resistance Museum.

Every year on or around the 15th of May, a commemoration takes place and a wreath is laid by students of the Gemini colleague (who adopted the monument of the capitulation). The monument to this fact in front of the school contains the warning: "A people that neglects its defense risks its freedom."

For current visiting hours, please visit the website of the museum.

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Source

• Text: Cheapskatetravel.nl
• Photos: Dick de Bruijne (1), Marcel Jans (2)

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