Rare footage of Rotterdam food drops at end of war uncovered

New rare film coverage has been found showing food parcels being dropped in Rotterdam in the last weeks of World War II.


The 8mm film has been made public by Riet Schoute who was 14 at the time and remembers the film being taken by her father Carel van der Zwam.
Between April 29 and May 8, allied forces took part in Operation Manna because of widespread starvation in the Netherlands following what became known as the Hunger Winter. Up to 400 people a week were dying of starvation in Rotterdam alone, Nos television says.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation