Hiding

In 1942, Jews were the first large group to go into hiding, followed by students, soldiers, and men who refused to work in Germany. Many resistance fighters also led an underground life. The resistance was clear: men should not report for work in Germany but should go into hiding.

It was a tremendous challenge to hide so many people, given that the Netherlands was small, densely populated, and flat. Finding enough safe hiding places was not easy. Furthermore, those in hiding needed food, clothing, heating, and other necessities, which required money and ration coupons. These coupons had to be stolen or obtained by other means.

After the April/May strikes of 1943, many more men wanted to go into hiding. By 1944, the number of people in hiding had risen to over 300,000, while the Netherlands had a population of around 9 million at the time. The National Organization for Aid to People in Hiding (LO), together with the National Armed Resistance Groups (LKP), organized aid for those in hiding. The LO mainly provided hiding places and assistance to those in hiding, while the LKP, through actions such as raids, provided false papers, money, and ration coupons. Sometimes, they also eliminated people who had betrayed those in hiding.

Many people in hiding, especially resistance members, needed fake identification papers (IDs), which were either forged or stolen. The danger of betrayal was always present, which could have severe consequences for both those in hiding and their helpers. Hiding people varied from camps in the woods to inventive constructions, such as secret doors leading to hidden spaces, similar to the annex of Anne Frank.

In Valkenswaard and Waalre, many also went into hiding, mainly to avoid the **Arbeitseinsatz** (forced labor). Many young men found shelter on the heathlands or in the forests, where they did not stay permanently but went when the risk of house searches became too great.