Jan Eisenga

After the February strike of 1941, the April-May strike of 1943 was the second major strike in the Netherlands during the Second World War. It was a spontaneous, nationwide strike to protest the recall of Dutch soldiers to captivity. In each province, the strike had its own character. In Friesland, the willingness to strike was particularly high among farmers and at dairy factories. A lot of milk was poured into ditches, which is why the strike became known there as the Milk Strike.  

The Germans reacted ruthlessly to crush the strike quickly. On Saturday, 1 May, the Standgericht was proclaimed throughout the Netherlands. Anyone who participated in strikes or rallies, carried weapons, distributed pamphlets, or disrupted the order could be punished with death on the spot. Police and security forces were ordered to use direct fire immediately. Strikers were arrested, interrogated and, in some cases, sentenced to death.

In the Northern provinces, the Milk Strike cost the lives of 56 people, including teacher Jan Eisenga from Gorredijk. The executions left deep scars in the lives of those left behind, especially because the bodies of 52 of the victims were never released. They were buried in an unknown, secret place and have not been found to date.  

Tsjitske Eisenga-de Groot, Jan Eisenga’s widow, described the aftermath of her husband’s execution in the later-published Tsjitske’s Diary. The diary shows a poignant picture of her despair and the struggle to give her life meaning again, especially in the first year. 

The Milk Strike was a turning point in the occupation. German policy, which until then had been more about persuasion and cooperation, became aggressive and coercive. At the same time, resistance to the occupation grew among the population. Resistance groups grew and became better organised.