5.2.1945

In the solitude of Bovenkarspel, Tante Jo had felt confined for quite a while and the lure for the big city was awakened in her.

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This longing for something new leads her to Galerie Modern in Amsterdam. But this passion was sure to avenge itself. This daring trip had to be postponed in the morning on account of the weather, so Tante Jo was present for the noon-time dinner. After dinner she started her trip. Only a few kilometers later, Tante Jo lost her balance as a result of carrying too much coal on her bicycle. As for so many people looking for help she found it in the person of oom Jan. He brought her back in balance.  “Third time’s the charm” to wit: Tante Jo Koerman’s stove.

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6.2

Tante Jo and Oom Jan are still in Amsterdam. 

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The sceptre is in the capable hands of Willy. She does everything very well, as always, and her cooking smells delicious. A whole army of chickpeas has been simmering on the stove. But somehow the Germans take care of the fact that we never forget the boundless miseries of the war. Marij and her brother arrive from Haarlem to obtain a new food supply. They tell us about razzias, hunger, cold, and despair. On their way to Bovenkarspel, they saw the corpses of 6 young Hollanders lying along the road in Hoogkarspel. They had been killed by the Greens as a reprisal measure for the liberation of a few people who had been caught chopping down some trees, during which a landwacht guard had been shot to death.

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The town crier announces: The deputy mayor of Bovenkarspel wants everyone to know, by order of the German authorities, that sixteen women’s or men’s bicycles are to be delivered to the town-hall by 4 o’clock this afternoon. There will be house searches, if this order is not complied with. What a surprise. We wait till 4 o’clock. Willy contacts City Hall and asks if any bicycles have been delivered. The answer is none! Huize Elastiek would be the first if house searches take place. What to do now?  Marij and her brother leave right away. Within seconds, the house takes on another look. No bicycles in sight! Jan is sent off into the fields with the bikes; only the rejected old tank of Fons is on display. No men between the ages 16 and 40 are to be found. (Jaap and Leo are underground.) No trace of illegal magazines; they have all gone underground with Jaap and Leo. All the treacherous overcoats have disappeared from the hall coat-rack. Leo had left his notecase above ground. So his notecase went undercover with Tante Edith, who was ill in bed. The yellow German propaganda pamphlets are now very visible on the table with the speech of 6 1/4 on top as the most significant title, “What Now?“  In one word the house would pass with flying colors for a N.S.B. house.  But  “now “did not come. Instead Captain Rijpma and Captain Veeres from Haarlem appear on the scene. The house returns slowly to her old self.

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A telephone message from Tante Nel: Tante Jo and Oom Jan left Amsterdam around 3 o’clock and are on their way home. They arrive shortly before 8 o’clock and are warmly welcomed by everyone, including Mr. Pitlo, who had appeared on the scene a little earlier. Willy takes up her spot on the couch in the porch.  And so this day, full of unexpected events, ends.

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7.2

Mr. Steenman arrives with an homage to ... potatoes and so forth.

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He has come with horse, carriage, and coachman.  The responsibilities of Leo are expanded. He is appointed quartermaster for the horse as well. Both animals and humans are thankful for his services.

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8.2

Very bad weather.

 

Before noon acquaintances of Oom Theo, Mr. van Rossum and his friend from Amsterdam, come. They are here to pick up foodstuffs.   Later in the afternoon, Tante Marie arrives with her practical, brown, vinyl tablecloth and … and three frozen potatoes. A shipment of potatoes, destined for her, never arrived at her home and then, in another shipment all the potatoes were completely frozen. Thus, three guests for the night, the house becomes “super elastick.”  The next day, Tante Marie departs laden with as much food munition as she can carry.

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9.2

A kerosene lantern arrives.

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A solemn lighting by Oom Jan.

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11.2

Les extrèmes se touchent.

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With all the potatoes given away out of love for one’s fellow man, Tante Jo was afraid on Sunday that no potatoes would be available for the midday dinner. She decides, with the approval of all the stakeholders, she reaches the sympathetic decision to prepare a huge pot of pea-soup .  A tremendous flood of this delicious liquid appeared on the table. But the flood disappeared with an enormous speed down to the last drop. Noah would have been jealous of this flood’s short duration. Curate Pas, one of our parish priests, assisted in the mop up.

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In the late afternoon, an adoration celebration and procession takes place in the church. A good homily by a curate from Venhuizen.  Fietje and Willy are off on their bikes to Medemblik. A raincoat belonging to Mrs. van Breda had an irresistable desire to return to its owner. 

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12.2

School starts again.

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The boys are having classes from 1:30-2:30 P.M. 

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14.2

Ash Wednesday. 

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We have electricity until noon. We all enjoy it listening as usual without knowing that this would be the last time. During midday dinner that day, we hear a declaration of love from Tante Jo for her long despised and contemptible stove.  It seems to be working fine now. A mighty pike perch 

and all the dinner guests are convinced. On revient toujours a son premier amour.

The water supply will be radically limited. Therefore, a canal water supply service is organized. So the W.C. is demoted to CWC (canal water closet).

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The coachman of Mr. Steenman is back with horse and carriage to pick up more potatoes, onions and carrots. When Mr. Steenman visited the last time, he had some bad luck on his way home. Three of the four sacks of potatoes were seized. For that reason the new load of potoatoes get better instructions.

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In the evening we are waiting for electricity --in vain. In spite of all the setbacks, we remain optimistic.

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15.2

Bulletin: There will be no more electricity at all.

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But Oom Jan has already taken precautions:  The battery is on hand and critical. Once again, we hear the voice of fighting Holland reach us through the ether. 

Waterworks control: The master controller was very dissatisfied.  He threatens a cut off. Willy promises improvement.

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Oom Jan’s customary trip. A steadfast priest arrives in the evening,  asking for food for the Franciscan charity in Amsterdam. Oom Jan has cared for this institution for a long time now.  How does this particular governing board work together? Oom Jan remains reserved.

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16.2

Tokyo is bombed for the first time by 1500 American planes.

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Mr. Jongerius spends the afternoon in the house, waiting for Oom Jan. When he finally decided to leave late in the evening his car had a different opinion. It refused. All the men in the household are called upon to push, however without luck.  Jan leaves to get help. The car is towed away.

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17.2

The long awaited rector from Marienburg, the boarding-school in Bussum, arrives

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on his trip for a food supply for his 60 nuns, and–looking at his well rounded face that shows no sign of shortage–probably a little for self-preservation.

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Hence, he carries a big bottle of milk with him. He stays overnight, because his bicycle is ailing and, sadly, his shoes are unpolished.  His Reverence, the milk, and the shoes are taken care of by Willy, as befits a boarding school pupil with due respect for a school authority. His Reverence bicycles away with gleaming shoes.

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19.2

The first electricity-free laundry day is here.

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But this small adventure, viewed at first as deeply serious by the ministry of interior affairs, is conquered with playful ease. Teams are formed to turn the crank on the washing machine and very soon the victims of the laundry day are dripping on the clothesline in the mist. Tante Jo is satisfied with another victory after the wood & coal stove had to replace the electric stove. Occupied Holland is becoming steadily more innovative and independent.

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A cousin of Tante Jo, living in Ursum and belonging to a generation of giants, shoves himself through the door for a visit.  He had his little son with him. We must avoid under any circumstance that a photo of him would reach England. If so, all the donation campaigns for food-supplies for Holland would be immediately halted.

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During the midday dinner, Oom Jan makes a jubilant announcement that he has succeeded, after much trouble and effort, to obtain 20,000 kilos of split peas from the Wieringermeer  and 500,000 kilos of potatoes from Groningen. This is mainly destined for Amsterdam. So Oom Jan is fastening his grip on the tough fight against famine. So huge as this amount seems, so small is the portion that falls to a single person.  But what a great feeling to make 500.000 very hungry Amsterdammers happy by giving each of them 1 kilo of potatoes. That’s how the man works, every day!

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Again, the famine, cold, and despair in the big cities send us a deeply impressive messenger:  a poor girl about fourteen years old. She walked all the way from Amsterdam, her only possessions were the clothes she wore. She arrived here at the house after wandering for 8 days.  She had lost her little brother during the journey. Her parents had left the house. The wretchedness there was no longer bearable. The district nurse takes care of cleaning this much neglected girl, who finds a lodging with the Botman family. Tante Jo helps with clothing, underwear, and shoes given by Willy, who is happy to contribute.

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20.2

In Friesland, all men between the ages of 16 and 40, without exception, are picked up:

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This includes agricultural workers, farmers, even men with “Ausweiss,” etc. The claw of the beast is not yet weakened enough.

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In the afternoon again unexpected visitors; almost every visit is unexpected here;  but the surprise is not significant anymore, it is a daily occurance here at home.  The visitors today are Jetty and Netty van der Donk. Jaap is very happy with this visit of the young ladies and in a great mood, because they  ---- bring him legal textbooks. Justice is traded for potatoes, legumes and salt! The ladies will stay overnight. Ordinary emergency relocation.

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21.2

After several days of heavy fog the sun finally shines again, beaming and warming in the cloudless sky.  

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The optimist in us rises.  The stove, for the first time, is not lit today!

In the vicinity of Graft, an automobile is shot up that was transporting children from the big cities to the country.  Seven children were killed!

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The evening brought an order from the Höheren S.S. and Polizeiführer: All the mayors, without delay, must hand over their radios.  But our set pays no attention whatsoever.

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22.2

The optimist–as is often evident in these days–is not always right: 

 

the stove in the living room is on again.

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23.2

Again a joyful family celebration.

  

It is Willy’s birthday. Everyone congratulates her, especially the “evacuees“ who are so grateful for her helpfulness and kindness.. Also Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina rose to the occasion. She speaks over the airways during our midday meal and presents, as a birthday gift, her list of new cabinet members.   Willy’s girlfriends are the guests for the afternoon. The festivity appears, judging by the noise, very pleasant with everyone in a great mood. In the late evening, Oom Gerard is set into motion as a dancing bear. His first victim is Tante Jo, the birthday girl his second, and then in turn

all the ladies in the house. In the evening we were altogether as a wonderful household circle. Dr. Engwirda and his wife were also there. Tante Jo commits first degree robbery of her provisions and the result was delicious. Oom Jan did not want to be outdone. He pours pre-war jenever.

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Bicycles demands and house raids take place in Grootebroek and Lutjebroek.

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Mayor Mol has gone underground!

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A big change in our lighting.  Instead of the ever dimming flame of the kerosene lamp, with all the misery that goes with it, a new windmill is installed and a battery utility is opened for business. Three men from Amsterdam work the whole day on this project. By the evening, the first low-voltage light displays itself.

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24.2

The Germans have made off with great deal of loot in Groote- and Lutjebroek:

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two trucks filled with circa 60 bicycles, a radio, gasoline, oil, hams and legumes.  Oom Jan is able to strike an agreement. If he delivers 4 more bicycles, Bovenkarspel will be spared the house raids.

The barter business is becoming steadily more international.  The Chinese, who have been popping up in Bovenkarspel for some time, visit for an exchange on the kitchen table, much to the delight of the children.

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The offensive has started on the Western front. The 1st and 9th of the American army have crossed the Ruhr River with a breech 35 kilometers wide. Julich, Limmich and a section of Düren in the hands of the Americans. In the streets of Breslau fierce fighting takes place.

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26.2

As of today, school hours are set from 10 A.M. to 12 noon, a modest approach toward normality.

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V3, a cute piglet, appears as heir to the throne of V2, who, before long, has to vacate her palace. V3 is greeted with much enthusiasm by all the children, first as new born daughter of V2, but later recognized as an adoptee pushed under the mother’s care.

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27.2

In the afternoon around 3 o’clock a luxury car with four Germans in civilian clothing and one in uniform stops in front of the house.

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Tante Jo answers the door herself. The “gentlemen”  want to talk to the Mayor. But the mayor was attending a quite lengthy meeting in Grootebroek. The men promise to be back in about 2 hours. Tante Jo, naturally, becomes very ill at ease. There exists now no safety, only the arbitrary actions of the occupying forces and their police detachments.  Willy, following the wish of her mother, changes her workclothes for a pretty dress. Maybe a charming young lady can talk “the gentlemen“ into a better mood when they return. “The gentlemen“ never returned. Oom Jan does not seem too concerned. He suspects where their shoe pinches: An unqualified German blackmarket dealer has sold salted cauliflower to the Kriegsmarine, which was, with the consent of the government officials, destined for the central kitchens in Utrecht and was indeed shipped by Oom Jan to Utrecht. It seems that the Germans wanted to have, to borrow a phrase, “your money or your life“ and also “money and life“  but in this case “cauliflower or mayor “ or maybe both!A phone call with the chairman of the trade-union Vijver in Rijnsburg helps to clear up this case and avoid possible future surprises.

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28.2

A small army of smelts invades the kitchen.

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Tante Jo is busy frying these creatures for dinner. She is quite happy to do so in co-operation with her beloved stove. The stove reciprocates with a fiery love in return. A small portion of the smelts fell victim to this consuming fire. They died a second death—through fire.  But “old love rusts indeed,” as Willy’s hands, blackened by the cleanup of the beloved stove, prove without doubt.