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| Dam Square 2024 |
On 10th May 1940 Germany invaded the Netherlands and after brief fighting the Dutch armed forces surrendered on 15th May following the bombing of Rotterdam. The German occupation of the Netherlands began on 17th May.
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| Dam Square 1940 |
The first part of the Netherlands liberated during the Second World War was around Maastricht by troops from the US 30th Infantry Division on 12th September 1944.
Allied Forces liberation of the Netherlands continued with Operation Market Garden liberating a corridor from the Belgian Border to Nijmegen. The Canadian Army advanced along the coast pushing in to the Netherlands till only the Western areas were still occupied when the German forces capitulated on 5th May 1945.
On 7th May 1945 crowds began to gather in Dam Square in Amsterdam to celebrate the end of the war and welcome their liberators. A reconnaissance patrol from the 49th (West Riding) Division entered Dam Square encountering Germans driving through the square.
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| 49 (WR) Division Recce pass Germans Dam Square |
The British withdrew from the square leaving it up to the Dutch Resistance to disarm the German Troops.
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| Dutch Resistance disarm German Troops Dam Square |
As the Dutch Resistance began disarming German troops one of whom refused and shots were fired. German soldiers in the Groote Club (Grand Club) went to the windows, balconies and on to the roof and began to fire into the celebrating crowds. The crowds fled the square or tried to take cover from the shots.
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| Crowds under fire in Dam Square |
Scouts, red cross workers and nurses tended to the wounded.
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| Tending to the wounded Dam Square |
The shooting lasted two hours till around 17:00 when it stopped. Twenty six Dutch citizens were killed, five more died later from their wounds. It is estimated 100 to 120 people were wounded.Canadian troops entered Amsterdam on 8th May 1945.
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| Canadian Troops Dam Square |
An official liberation parade was held in Dam Square on 8th May 1945.
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| Liberation Parade Dam Square |
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| Liberation Parade Dam Square |
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| Liberated Amsterdam |
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In 1947 a commemorative plaque to those killed in the Dam Square Shooting was unveiled on the facade of the Groote Club at the corner of the Dam and Kalverstraat.
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| Groote Club building Dam Square |
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Dam Square shooting commemorative plaque
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| Dam Square shooting commemorative plaque |
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE CITIZENS
WHO FELL ON THE DAM 7th MAY 1945
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