#Story
The islanders and the occupying forces
Shortly after the start of the German occupation in May 1940, almost the entire island of Terschelling was declared a Sperrgebiet (restricted area). Islanders were only allowed to move within certain designated zones. The forest and parts of the dunes remained accessible, but beaches and areas around military positions were strictly off-limits. Blackout regulations were also enforced: even the light from the Brandaris lighthouse was extinguished. Tourists were barred, though residents were allowed to continue living on the island. Traditional activities such as beachcombing, hunting, and fishing were severely restricted by these measures.
Work for the Germans
Many men from the island took part in constructing bunkers. For most, this was the only way to earn a living, as working in Germany’s war industry was considered an even less appealing alternative. Residents who had not registered were given a week to do so, while others were forced to leave. Travel to and from Terschelling was only possible with permission from the Inselcommandant.
At first, the German naval soldiers’ behavior was relatively mild. Islanders were often hired for small tasks, providing a little extra income. The situation only worsened after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when Germany and the United States went to war. From that point, new rules were introduced, such as the mandatory surrender of copper items for the war effort.
Little Room for Resistance
Unlike on parts of the mainland, there was little organized resistance on Terschelling. Islanders adapted and tried to endure the occupation as best they could. The island’s isolation made open opposition almost impossible. Yet personal experiences sometimes complicated the view of the occupiers. The islander Iem Smit (1909–1999) recalled that a German sailor named Barhold was quartered with his family. Barhold, a boatswain from Hamburg who lived on Borkum with his wife and child, became friends with the family. When he left, he was given toys for his son and continued to correspond with the family for many years.
Waiting for Liberation
On May 6, 1945, the islanders learned via clandestine radios that Nazi Germany had surrendered. However, the German forces remained on the island for several more months. While celebrations were already underway elsewhere in the Netherlands, it took much longer for the Germans to leave the Wadden Islands, requiring great patience and resilience from the local population.