The Hague – J. Smulders & Co., 1946
€375
THE HAGUE WITH SCARS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR
“Kompas van ’s-Gravenhage” Colour lithograph printed in 1946 by J. Smulders & Co. and published by Kompas. Verso: street plan of Wassenaar and street-name index. Size: 81 × 107 cm.
The Hague emerged heavily scarred from the Second World War. The German occupying forces had constructed a defensive line straight through the city, resulting in the demolition or dismantling of nearly 6,000 houses. A trail of destruction was also cut through the Scheveningse Bosjes and the Haagse Bos. In addition, there was extensive damage caused by warfare directly.
These defensive works formed part of the Atlantikwall, which stretched along the entire West European coast and was intended to protect the Germans against an Allied invasion from the sea. In The Hague, the largest section consisted of a broad moat which, together with its required field of fire, occupied a zone no less than 350 metres wide. Another part of the line was formed by a high concrete wall. From Kijkduin, the anti-tank ditch ran past the Clingendael estate. Apart from the clear-cut appearance of the forests, this resulted in an irreparable mutilation of residential districts such as Meer en Bos, the Bomen- and Bloemenbuurt, and Duinoord. The seaside resort of Scheveningen was likewise severely damaged by countless barriers, concrete bunkers and defensive structures.
Equally devastating was the bombing raid mistakenly carried out by RAF aircraft on 3 March 1945 on the Bezuidenhout district and the Korte Voorhout. The intended targets had been German V-2 rocket launch sites. Approximately 3,300 houses were destroyed and nearly 300 businesses.
On this map of The Hague, the areas destroyed by wartime violence are indicated in red shading.
After the liberation, the housing shortage was overwhelming. Some 8,000 homes had been lost, and 25,000 people were left without adequate shelter. This occurred at a time when a substantial population increase was expected in the euphoric years following liberation. In addition, thousands of repatriates from the Dutch East Indies were to arrive.
Housing had to be built—and in large numbers. Moreover, the gaps torn into the urban fabric had to be filled rapidly, while careful consideration was required for the future development of The Hague.
Price: Euro 375,-
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