Collaboration

One of the first decrees the Germans laid down was “No fraternizing of the occupying troops with the civilian population”. All public gatherings such as festivals, public dances and so on were banned. Public holidays could no longer be celebrated. The only entertainment still available was the cinemas, which were of course a great source of propaganda for German films. The romantic and adventure films were very good however. They provided a welcome escape in the dark, warm atmosphere of the cinema halls to help us forget, temporarily, the grim realities of war.

We found our own way around the problem of closed dancehalls. It was difficult in towns to start up clandestine meetings, but in the outlying villages around, where there were not so many German patrols, we soon had several halls and even barns where we could have our weekly dancing sessions. Those places were very popular and always packed out. As the word got around, youngsters came from far and wide. There was a strict lookout system at the door for any potential German patrol raid. The blackout regulations helped the secret dances. With no lights showing outside there was not much evidence of the fun going on inside, except for the noise of the band playing. We did enjoy those country hops. The very fact that we were in some sort of tense anticipation of a possible raid somehow added to our youthful excited enjoyment.

Cafes and restaurants could continue business, some of which were patronized by the Germans and, inevitably, fraternizing did take place at these premises.

A lot has been said about collaboration with the enemy, but as in every case, some of it was grossly exaggerated. Was it collaborating when some people had to take jobs working for the Germans when other work was unobtainable? Some people got unwittingly involved in many instances, quite uninterested in the political aspect of it all. They just wanted to work and earn a living, which was hard enough under the circumstances. Of course there were those who became too friendly to the occupying forces, but others used their position of close contact to obtain useful information to pass on to the growing underground movement.

The young adolescents were particularly vulnerable to the indoctrination of Nazism. This was much in evidence in Flanders. Established Flemish organizations were infiltrated by Nazi sympathizers. They tried to persuade the Flemish youth that they too were of “Pure Germanic origin”. Soon a lot of Flemish youth movements were completely controlled by the Nazis. They started to wear swastika badges and emblems on their uniforms and marched through the streets, emulating the familiar goosestep. They held parades and gave the “Hiel Hitler” salute. They sang the German tunes, set to Flemish lyrics.

The Germans had one virtue in their favour. Their regiments always looked smart and the soldiers were well disciplined when seen in public. Even when they went swimming, it was in military style, marching and singing, wearing swimming trunks, rolled up towels under their arms. This example of smartness and discipline impressed some people; however the novelty soon wore off. As more of the true face of Nazism was revealed, people became more disillusioned and disgusted with those who collaborated. The enthusiasm died and a lot of the new Nazi uniforms disappeared from the streets. After the first upsurge of sympathy, the balance was restored and most citizens remained loyal to their country.

Young girls were not generally pestered with the attention of German soldiers. In all the four years of occupation, only once was I approached in a public park by a soldier who asked if he could walk with me. I just ignored him and he walked away.

Young children are usually quick to invent ways of poking fun and of course the Germans were a favourite target, they could also get away with more than adults. I remember my young brothers singing, to the tune of one of the more popular German marching songs:

Oh kliene schildersjongen,

Wat zijde gy toch begonnen,

Met uw vleigmachines en bommen,

Zielde gy nooit in Engeland kommen

Oh little German painterman,

Do you realize what you began,

All your bombs and flying machines,

Will never bring England to her knees.