For Winterswijk the second World War began on Friday, May 10th 1940, the first day of the german invasion of the Netherlands. On this day the town
was occupied by the German Wehrmacht.
"In the early hours [of May 10th 1940] the people in Kotten woke up by the over-flying 'Junkers 52'. What
does that mean? When a short time later an armoured train with threatening facing west canons passed the [German-Dutch] border
the people of Kotten have no illusions anymore. After some time German Soldiers sneak into the Netherlands along the stream. [...]" (Barc56, p.15)
The following picture shows a Call that probably also has been attached to the church (Jacobskerk) in Winterswijk.
- (Source: VHM85, p.20)
The Paper states:
Call
to the people of the Netherlands
The dutch area occupied by the German troops is placed under the German military regime.
The army comanders will make the necessary measures for the security of the troops and for the retention of peace and order.
The troops are urged to spare the population and to repsect their property, provided that they behave peacefully.
In case of loyal collaboration with the German government, the [dutch] public authorities will remain in duty.
From the common sense and the insight of the population I expect, that they will refrain from all reckless actions, all kinds of
sabotage and resistance to the German Wehrmacht.
All orders of the German military administration are to be followed precisely and unconditionally. The German Wehrmacht would feel sorry,
if they would be forced to take strict measures on the whole population, by hostile actions of irresponsible parts of the population.
May everybody stay on his work and on his post, than he does not only serve his self-interest but also the interest of the population and
of the entire country.
The comander-in-chief of the German Army
During the next 5 years Winterswijk was occupied, and was several times target of bomb raids because of a strategic railway crossing near the town (for a more comprehensive overview over the history of Winterswijk during the second world war see VHM85).