Annemiek Bolscher and Ine Megens

About the Authors: Annemiek Bolscher is a researcher at the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands. Ine Megens is with the Scientific Office of the Pacifist Socialist Party in Amsterdam.

During the Second World War the foundation was laid for the military auxiliary women’s corps. In 1943 the auxiliary women’s corps, the rouwen Hulp Korps (VHK) was founded from Great Britain. This corps aided evacuees, assisted with food distribution and took part in the organizing of the transportation of children. The strength of the force amounted to about 200 women. After the war the VHK remained. In particular, it became a reservoir of administrative personnel.

In 1944 the women’s section of the navy Marva) was established. In view of the so-called...