Systematic looting of gold, money, and possessions from the Netherlands for the German war economy started at the beginning of the occupation in May 1940. The Dutch people felt as if the occupation forces wanted to confiscate everything. Right after the capitulation, fuel and diesel fuel were rationed. Each year, more and more products were rationed. Despite high fines, the black market blossomed. In July 1942, the Municipality Police confiscated bicycles throughout the country, an act that enraged the nation of bicycle users. In the autumn, church bells were next to be confiscated for the war industry, the following year radios, and in 1944, cars and trams.