Westerbork the train wagon
Camp Westerbork was known as the 'gateway of hell' during the Second World War. It was a transit camp to concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Sobibor. However, the camp was built in 1939 as a shelter for people who fled Germany before 1940.
From 1945 to 1949, Westerbork camp functioned as an internment camp for NSB, SS and other persons suspected of collaboration with the Nazis.
In 1949 the camp became a training camp for soldiers who were to leave for the Dutch East Indies for 'police actions'. On December 27, 1949, the transfer of sovereignty of the Dutch East Indies took place and many Indo-Dutch people were forced to leave for the Netherlands. Many of these returnees were housed in a number of camps, such as Westerbork camp. Westerbork was thereby renamed 'De Schattenberg'.
In 1951, Westerbork/Schattenberg camp was given its next function: a residence for several thousand Moluccans who were employed by the KNIL (Royal Dutch East Indies Army) from generation to generation. For security reasons, it was decided to also transfer them and their family members to the Netherlands for “temporary” housing, pending the establishment of the Republic of the Free Moluccas. They were also housed in camp Westerbork/de Schattenberg. In 1971 the camp was closed and the residents had to settle elsewhere in the Netherlands
Westerbork the train wagon
Camp Westerbork was known as the 'gateway of hell' during the Second World War. It was a transit camp to concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Sobibor. However, the camp was built in 1939 as a shelter for people who fled Germany before 1940.
From 1945 to 1949, Westerbork camp functioned as an internment camp for NSB, SS and other persons suspected of collaboration with the Nazis.
In 1949 the camp became a training camp for soldiers who were to leave for the Dutch East Indies for 'police actions'. On December 27, 1949, the transfer of sovereignty of the Dutch East Indies took place and many Indo-Dutch people were forced to leave for the Netherlands. Many of these returnees were housed in a number of camps, such as Westerbork camp. Westerbork was thereby renamed 'De Schattenberg'.
In 1951, Westerbork/Schattenberg camp was given its next function: a residence for several thousand Moluccans who were employed by the KNIL (Royal Dutch East Indies Army) from generation to generation. For security reasons, it was decided to also transfer them and their family members to the Netherlands for “temporary” housing, pending the establishment of the Republic of the Free Moluccas. They were also housed in camp Westerbork/de Schattenberg. In 1971 the camp was closed and the residents had to settle elsewhere in the Netherlands