Schiermonnikoog
Schiermonnikoog & WWII
On the 16th of May 1940, at 4.30pm the island of Schiermonnikoog fell under German occupation during the Second World War. It would remain so for almost five years, until the occupation was lifted on the 7th of May 1945.
From the far northern reaches of Norway to Spain, German forces created a line of coastal fortifications called the Atlantic Wall to defend against rising threat of Allied invasion and liberation of mainland Europe. This long chain of defences included Schiermonnikoog as a link. An entire concrete bunker complex was created, manned by 200 German soldiers, tasked with both air defence and information gathering through specialised listening equipment.
The bunker complex still remains on Schiermonnikoog, an important testament to the dark times that covered engulfed the island along with the whole of Europe. The bunker is easily accessed, situated in the middle of the island it is easily reached by bike. It is largely untouched since the end of the war and gives both a good impression of the time as a war monument as well as the best views on the entire island.
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