Soon after capitulation, the Germans began a systematic looting of gold, money, and possessions from the Netherlands for the German war industry. Bicycles, church bells, ships, radios, textile, household goods, livestock, cars, and trams were confiscated on a mass scale.
Forced labour of workers from the occupied territories was called Arbeitseinsatz. Men in the Netherlands were also forced to work in Germany. Initially, this was voluntary. But when less and less men volunteered, the German authorities decided to take compulsory measures. Whoever did not report was punished. Many went into hiding to avoid Arbeitseinsatz. From September 1944, razzias and roundups were carried out to track down men.