In the Netherlands people undoubtedly experienced the winter of 1941-42 as the worst of the three consecutive severe winters of the early 1940’s. Many products could only be obtained with coupons, there was a lack of fuel, and the public transport system became inadequate because of a lack of spare parts.

In the winter of 1942 the siege of Stalingrad continued. During the coldest days of the war enormous numbers of Russians and Germans were killed. The Germans did not surrender until February 1943, but this battle signified a reversal in the war.