when was holland liberated during world war ii
Netherlands in World War II Most of the south of the country was liberated in the second half of 1944. The rest, especially the west and north of the country still under occupation, suffered from a famine at the end of 1944, known as the "Hunger Winter". On 5 May 1945, the whole country was finally liberated by the total surrender of all German forces.
Dutch courage The popular story dates the etymology of the term to English soldiers fighting in the Thirty Years' War. One version states that Dutch gin was used by English soldiers for its believed warming properties on the body in cold weather and its calming effects before battle; another version states that English soldiers noted the bravery-inducing effects of jenever's liquor on Dutch soldiers and dubbed it "Dutch Courage". Gin would go on to become popular in England thanks to King William III, who was also Stadtholder of the Netherlands, better known as William of Orange (1689-1702).