Schiermonnikoog in the First World War

Neutral, but not untouched

The Netherlands remained neutral in the First World War, but on Schiermonnikoog the war at sea could be felt. Bodies of drowned seamen washed up on the beach with some regularity. Almost all were German sailors of the Kriegsmarine. Some of them probably died in the Battle of Jutland (Skagerrak) in May 1916, far from the beach where they eventually washed ashore. The identity of almost all the drowned from this war has remained unknown.

The founding of Vredenhof

Drowned bodies washed ashore were first buried in the dunes or by the church in the village. In 1917 a few islanders, including farmers and captains, took the initiative for a dedicated cemetery for the drowned in the dunes. Hotel owner Sake van der Werff played a major role; he also researched the identity of the dead. Count von Bernstorff cooperated with the plan. This is how Vredenhof came about, on the Reddingsweg, close to the De Wasserman bunker.

Visiting Vredenhof

Vredenhof is freely accessible and a quiet, impressive place. You pass it on the cycle route to the east of the island. Read also how Vredenhof grew further during the Second World War.

• East cycle route
• Schiermonnikoog in the Second World War