As Germany had a shortage of manpower, especially in the industry, they used manpower from the occupied countries. An ordinance in March 1942 forced men in the Netherlands to work in Germany. Many of these men returned illegally to the Netherlands and
had to go into hiding. Whoever was caught was severely punished.
In May 1943, all the Dutch men between 18 and 35 were forced to report for labour in Germany. As men were trying to get out of forced labour in any way possible, the Germans retaliated by carrying out massive razzias in autumn 1944. They threatened to kill hostages if people continued to refuse work in Germany. In some places this threat was executed. More than half a million Dutch men worked in Germany during the war for short or long periods of
time.