Harbour mouth
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Photo: grzegorzmielczarek / CC

More fish in the sea than ever before

Scheveningen was largely deserted. Only citizens who were needed to keep the stronghold functioning, such as shopkeepers, café owners, doctors and nurses remained or had access to this cordoned off section of the city.

The beach and the promenade were also out of bounds for them. The streets of empty houses provided a thrilling playground for children, albeit not without dangers.

The best ships were seized by the occupying German forces during the course of 1940/41. Nevertheless, fishing vessels still sailed until September 1944. They were propelled by sails or outdated engines and were therefore an easy target for English fighter aircraft. In addition, there was the risk of mines. The vessels had to remain close to the coast and return by evening. They were under German control. That way, the occupier wanted to prevent ships and their crews diverting to England.

The catches were large however, because not much fishing took place.

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