Sailing for Freedom / Varen voor Vrijheid
Discover the heroes of the merchant navy
SAILING FOR FREEDOM – The indispensable role of the merchant navy in WW II
From 4 May to 7 September 2025, the Netherlands Merchant Navy Personnel 1940-1945 Foundation is presenting the impressive exhibition ‘Sailing for Freedom’ in the Katwijks Museum.
This year we will commemorate 80 years of freedom and pay special attention to a little-known chapter in history: the crucial role of the Dutch merchant navy during the Second World War.
Come inside and experience the compelling story of the sailors who were forced to spend six long years at sea under life-threatening circumstances. Without their courage and perseverance Europe and Asia would not have been liberated.
Stirring photographs, personal objects, authentic ship models, impressive paintings and an imposing scale model of a convoy at sea bring their story to life.
Discover how Dutch merchant vessels played an indispensable role in supplying the Allied Forces, while exposed to torpedo attacks, mines and air attacks by bombers.
Get transported back in time, discover the stories and experience the sacrifices that thousands of sailors made for our freedom.
During this exhibition there will be guided tours and lectures in which experts and relatives of these brave men will go more deeply into this dramatic chapter of history.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity and visit the exhibition ‘Sailing for Freedom’ in the Katwijks Museum, a tribute to the sailors who fought virtually unarmed, but with unbreakable willpower.
