Commemorating the end of World War II

Picture Twitter Mark Rutte. from his twitter account.

By Anton Lutter.

On the 15^th of August 1945 the Second World War ended for the Kingdom of the Netherlands by the surrendering of the Japanese forces, now 73 years ago. Every 15^th of August this day is remembered at the Indies Monument in The Hague. During the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies (nowadays Indonesia), 100,000 Dutch nationals were detained in appalling conditions in internment camps for 4 years. About 13,000 of them died.

Thousands attended the commemoration, among them not only the victims but also their children and grandchildren. Confirming the recent trend that especially the younger generations are interested in the circumstances of their family during World War II.

The solemn ceremony began when the standard of the Regiment Van Heutsz was presented by the military in traditional uniforms of the former Royal Netherlands Indies Army. The music peace’s where performed by the Royal Military Band “Johan Willem Friso” and the Residentie Bach Ensembles choir.

On behalf of the government Prime Minister Mr. Mark Rutte– his own father being interned during the WWII – and the State Secretaryfor Health, Welfare and Sport Mr. Paul Blokhuis, who has “World War II Victims and Remembrance”in his portfolio, laid a reef. The importance of the 15^th of August commemoration is reflected by a large attendance of dignitaries. Amongst them the Minister of Defense Mrs. Ank Bijleveld as well as the Commander of the Dutch Defence Force, with the Operational Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air force and Marechaussee.

The presidents of the parliament (Tweede Kamer) Mrs. Khadidja Arib and the senate (Eerste Kamer) Mrs. Ankie Broekers-Knol, the vice-president of the Council of State Mr. Piet Hein Donner and the president of the Court of Audit Mr. Arno Visser.

After the laying of the reefs by the Government, Defense and City of The Hague, represented by deputy mayor Mr. Bert van Alphen, the representatives of the Embassies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States and Indonesia paid their respect by also laying a reef.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bernard Bot, during WWII “a camp child”, reiterated in De Volkskrant newspaper that the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies is a part of our history that deserves attention, “the horrors of the Second World War over there where at least as big as in Europe. It is good that one has knowledge and contemplates about it”.