During my research I found two biographies of women who had been working as couriers during the war. Young girls and women often worked for the resistance. They carried secret documents, took Jewish people to safe addresses, distributed illegal newspapers and often accompanied Allied pilots, who had been shot down by the Germans, but saved by the resistance, to safe places. The couriers often risked their lives in order to save others. Some of the girls were arrested, interrogated, sent to concentration camps and sometimes executed by the Nazis. The heroic deeds of these young women and girls were never mentioned in the history books when I studied W.W.II.
In the summer of 1998, I went to Friesland to do research on the couriers. Albert and I visited the Museum on War and Resistance. Fokke Wagenaar the archivist of the War Museum helped me find the materials for the research. He had printed a list of books of personal accounts and biographies of the girl couriers.
When I read the material, I became overwhelmed by the courage of these often very young girls. Their fight against the Nazis called for heroic actions in which they often took enormous risks and put their lives on the line for strangers.
In December of 2002, Albert and visited the museum again and donated a copy of 'When the War is Over'. We also took pictures of the statue of 'De Koerierster' (The Courier), in Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland.
During the Christmas holidays we visited the bronze statue of the courier in Leeuwarden, Friesland.
The girl on the bike represents all women and girls, who risked their lives to save others.
Pre-Reading Activities
Examining the cover:
• Did the artist choose the right colours for this story?
• What do you read in the girl's expression?
• What do the military trucks in the background represent?
• Is the title suitable for this novel?
General Discussion
The couriers were part of the underground movement. The women took part in illegal activities to sabotage the enemy and to save lives.
The Second World War gave women the opportunity to become involved in warfare. They were not officially enlisted as soldiers to fight at the front, but they became involved in many aspects of the war. Women worked in administration, the medical field, factories and some trained as pilots.
• Research and discuss how the role of women in the army has changed from the 1940's to today.
• When was the United Nations established and what is its role?
• How many countries are part of the Security Council?
• What is the role of the Peace Keepers?
• In which countries are Peace Keepers stationed?
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Reading Comprehension Chapter 1: • How did Janke's mother feel about the resistance? • Why was Janke surprised when she rang the doorbell at Aunt Anna's house? Chapter 2: • How had the war affected Aunt Anna's life? • Why did Janke feel such a strong connection with her aunt? Chapter 3: • Where did Alie live and how was she involved in the Resistance? • Who did Janke meet in the tobacco shop? Why was Janke confused about her feelings? Chapter 4: • What job did Janke and Alie do for the Resistance and why was it dangerous? • What did Janke learn about Helmut when they met at the harbour? Chapter 5: • Why were German soldiers stationed at the entrance of the church? • What do you think the code, "The wood will be delivered tomorrow morning at eleven." could mean? Chapter 6: • What did Janke discover about Jan on the night of his birthday? • Describe the scene after Jan announced that he was going into hiding. Chapter 7: • How did her terrible account effect the people at Alie's home? • Which thoughts and images entered Janke's mind and prevented her from falling asleep? Chapter 8: • What happened early in the morning before Janke took her mother to her grandparents? • What did Janke discover after the man took the leather cases from her saddlebags? Chapter 9: • What did she find out about Helmut's life in Germany? • Why did Janke get upset when Helmut told her about his work? • What happened when Janke got home? Chapter 10: • What risk were they taking when they left Aaltje's house? • Where did they hide for the night? Chapter 11: • Describe how Janke's role in the Resistance changed after her visit to the butcher shop. • How did Janke's father respond when she told him of her new role? Chapter 12: • How did the resistance find out about Allied droppings of people and equipment? • How would Peter find out where he would go next? Chapter 13: • What was Janke's assignment for the next day? • What happened at the 'Mauer', the checkpoint? Chapter 14: • What did she observe after she hurried out of the train station? • What did Janke wish for after Helmut had dropped her off and why? Chapter 15: • What did Annie and Bert practice and why? • What happened when Janke and Annie hung the laundry on the clothesline? • After the event, how did Janke feel about Douwe and Afke? |
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Chapter 16: • Describe Freerk's plan to escape? • What did Janke dream of when she was looking at the clouds? • Why did she not discus Helmut with Alie? Chapter 17: • What dilemma did Janke and her father face when Mother demanded one condition their house boat vacation? • How does Janke's father cope with her mother's behaviour? Chapter 18: • Describe how Freerk had escaped from his forced labour. • Explain Janke's fear for Helmut as the Allied troops are advancing. Chapter 19: • Why was Freerk not able to go aboard the Anna Maria as soon as they entered East Port? • Which country was Freerk traveling to and why? Chapter 20: • How had the Resistance suffered during the summer? • What did Janke discover about her feelings for Harm? Chapter 21: • Once in Amsterdam, how did Janke know who her contact person was? • How did Janke manage to take the little girl away from her parents? Chapter 22: • What happened to Irene when they had to walk across the damaged bridge? • Who had Janke expected to find in the barn at Harms farm? Chapter 23: • What is the NBS and who was the chief commander? • Why did Janke not want to attend the ball at first? Chapter 24: • What was Janke's assignment at the ball? • What did Helmut say, that worried Janke? Chapter 25: • Why did Janke feel thorn to inform the members of the Resistance what she had learned? • What was 'the Veemgericht'? • Why was Janke the only one who understood Dinie's feelings? Chapter 26: • What news did Alie bring to the farm? • What did Helmut tell her when they met on the road? Chapter 27: • How did Janke celebrate Christmas at her grandparents'? • What brought them outside later that evening and what happened next? Chapter 28: • Why did Harm's words "She fell for the wrong man" upset Janke? • Discuss Janke's feeling when she was alone in the cell. Chapter 29: • How did Helmut manage to rescue Janke? • Would the boat be a safe hiding place? Chapter 30: • What was Harm's reaction after he'd entered the boat? • Why was Janke not able to leave at the same time as Helmut? Chapter 31: • How did Janke learn that the war was over? • How did Janke's family react to Janke's rescue and why? Chapter 32: • Discuss Janke's conversation with her father. • Did you feel that Janke would be able to find Helmut? |
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This is a picture of my grandmother's identity card, which she needed to carry with her at all times during the war. It was called an 'Ausweiss'.
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'When The War Is Over' is a novel for YA readers. The story is set in the Netherlands during W.W.II. The beautiful cover art was created by James Bentley. For more art by James Bentley you can visit his web site at: www.jamesbentley.com |
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