Walcheren flooded

In October 1944 the Allied Forces bombed the dykes of the island of Walcheren in order to get the occupying powers out. Large parts of the inhabited area were flooded. In the Walcheren villages people went on with their lives, on the rhythm of the tides. It took more than a year before the dykes were closed again.

Paard en wagen rijden door Souburg tijdens de inundatie: het paard loopt tot de buik in het water, mensen staan op de kar

Souburg photographer A.G. Kruithof captured village life during the flood in many photos. Stories of eye-witness Jan Kaljouw bring these pictures to life. He tells us what it was like having to live on the top floor only and to use small boats for most transportation.

Together the photos and stories bring to life a part of our history that has never been paid much attention to: a picture of resilient Zeelanders between the tides.

Thanks to:
Jan Kaljouw, gemeente Vlissingen, Stichting De Godshuizen, Stichting Hervormde Jeugdgebouwen, Stichting van de Sande, Stichting Van de Velde publicatiefonds, Vereniging Vrienden van het muZEEum en het Archief van Vlissingen, Zeeuws Archief.

Concept and realisation: Zeeuws maritiem muZEEum, decreet.