North Sea flood of 1953

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Today in Dutch history: the tragic ‘Watersnoodramp’ flooding of 1953

The North Sea flood was a major flood caused by a heavy storm surge that struck the Netherlands, north-west Belgium, England and Scotland. Many sea defences facing the surge were overwhelmed, resulting in extensive flooding. In the Netherlands 1,836 people died, along with tens of thousands of animals and huge property damage - read more here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sea_flood_of_1953

In the next few days a huge rescue and salvage operation was conducted, for which many CMP trucks were used, along with other vehicles like DUKWs which gave sterling service in the flooded areas.

Many thousands of volunteers came to help closing the breaches in the dykes. My dad was one of them, filling sandbags which were then carried by hand and placed in the breaches.


Source: https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...a-7babfc2ce58c | https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...0-3affc59ba9b0

[Hanno Spoelstra]

A number of the DUKWs were supplied by the US Army. Many countries supplied all kinds of help after the disaster. It took years to repair the damages.


Source: https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...2-41c2ce243af8 | https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...f-64744a756b25

[Matthew P]

Thank you for sharing. Interesting the M-38 in the one photo. I would have guessed that with so much equipment from the war still in Europe that a new Jeep like that wouldn't have been present so early on.

Matt

[David Dunlop]

Probably due to its usefulness in deep water situations.

David

[Ed Storey]

In response to this flood Canada sent food and clothing as aid to the Netherlands. A portion of the clothing consisted of early 1950s dated battledress and 1940s army cadet uniforms.

[charlie fitton]

I was surprised to caissons from the Mulberry harbour used in dyke repair.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Probably due to its usefulness in deep water situations.

See the wooden/ cardboard dam behind the radiator grille

Originally Posted by Matthew P

Thank you for sharing. Interesting the M-38 in the one photo. I would have guessed that with so much equipment from the war still in Europe that a new Jeep like that wouldn't have been present so early on.

This was a US Army jeep, I gather they had they supplied the newest equipment to their units in Germany.

Here's another US Army vehicle which must have been quite new:

https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...a-51540b934a56


Despite having thousand of MBs and GPWs, even the Netherlands Army used their new Jeep, a CJ-3A in this case:

https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...0-da49e621acb8

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

In response to this flood Canada sent food and clothing as aid to the Netherlands. A portion of the clothing consisted of early 1950s dated battledress and 1940s army cadet uniforms.

Many countries sent help in many ways and forms.

This is a Danish Civil Defence truck unloading a USAF Fairchild Packet/ Flying Boxcar: https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onde...8-003048976d84

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

A number of the DUKWs were supplied by the US Army.

Here is another US Army DUKW: http://hdl.handle.net/10648/a906237a...8-003048976d84

At least one DUKW came as far away as from Milan, Italy: http://hdl.handle.net/10648/a906599e...8-003048976d84

French soldiers with boats and DUKWs: http://hdl.handle.net/10648/af31833e...8-003048976d84

This one was a Netherlands Army one - note the orange lion on the black circle marking: http://hdl.handle.net/10648/af3177f4...8-003048976d84

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Many thousands of volunteers came to help closing the breaches in the dykes. My dad was one of them, filling sandbags which were then carried by hand and placed in the breaches.

Who knows, maybe my Dad is one of the guys in these photos:
http://hdl.handle.net/10648/af3190d6...8-003048976d84
http://hdl.handle.net/10648/af318a0a...8-003048976d84

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some more CMPs:

CMP truck keeping soldier's feet dry...

https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...f-87832fe990e6


CMP Workshop trucks:

https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...8-b629bfc70af5


CMP with PA system in the left background:

https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...5-60f1eace4f7b


GMC CCKW-353 stuck in the water, the Ford CMP behind it is still running

https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...c-4e29eb14f8a6

[Hanno Spoelstra]

One more, this style of CMP is new to me.


Source: https://beeldbank.watersnoodmuseum.n...2495&id=632488

[Andrew H.]

Even here in NZ, my great aunts were busy knitting socks to send to the flooded Dutch people.

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

Even here in NZ, my great aunts were busy knitting socks to send to the flooded Dutch people.

Well, it is named after the province where the worst of the floods happened …

(More than once, I’ve been asked: “The .nl in your e-mail address, is that New Zealand?” To which I tend to reply, “No, but I am from the province that that country is named after” — which of course puzzles them even more )