A World War II Member of the Dutch Onderground (Underground)

Carl Kaas is over 91 years old. He was an active member of the Dutch Onderground (Underground) in the Dutch Resistance Movement during World War II. This is a memoir of his experiences before, during and after the Second World War. Originally written in Dutch, translated by Carl Kaas into English. Edited by I Lee for grammar or spelling only as needed.

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Clarification from Carl Kaas on distinguishing the Dutch "onderground" from the Dutch "onder duikers". According to Carl, the "Underground", or internal fighting force, consisted of people who bussied themselves with harrassing the enemy, like spying, radio contact with England, blowing up rail lines and bridges, robbing coupon centers, dealing with illegal food supplies, interrupting telephone lines, etc. "Onder duikers" (underdivers) were people who were wanted by the Germans, the escapees, railway employees who went on strike and others who escaped from forced labor, and of course, the Jews. By these definitions, Carl Kaas was a Member of the Dutch "Underground" and not an "Onder duiker".

"Dutch resistance to the Nazi occupation during World War II can be mainly characterized by its prominent non-violence, summitting in over 300,000 people in hiding, tended to by some 60,000 illegal landlords and caretakers. It developed relatively slowly, but also its counterintelligence, domestic sabotage, and communications networks provided key support to Allied forces beginning in 1944 and continuing until the Netherlands was fully liberated." From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

See also:
The Dutch Resistance Movement. A CIA document.
Dutch Resistance Museum. "From 14 May 1940 to 5 May 1945, the Netherlands were occupied by Nazi Germany. Almost every Dutch person was affected by the consequences of the occupation. The choices and dilemmas facing the population became more far-reaching. How did Dutch people respond to the increasing oppression of the occupying power? Who took up resistance? Why, and in what ways?"