Between the devil and the deep blue sea - University of Canterbury

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ensuing aerial fight, a German aircraft released three bombs on Dutch soil. 127 Germany and
Britain both apologised and promised to be more careful in future. However, only seven
days later, five bombs (of unknown origin) fell on Cadzand, another popular beach resort,
which had witnessed a similar attack in 1915. 128
Illustration 6: The bombing of Zierikzee, April 1917
(Source: H. Brugmans, Geschiedenis vall dell Wereldoorlog 1914 -1918. [History of the world war 1914 -1918] Amsterdam: Scheltens &
Giltray, 1935, between pp. 228 - 229)
The increased number of aerial bombings made the south of the country hazardous.
Zeeland was an especially popular if unintentional target. Shell fragments from the fighting
in Belgium fell in the province on several occasions, as did grenades, and the occasional
shot fired into Dutch territory. 129 In October 1917, Snijders wamed cabinet ministers that he
127 "Mobilisatieverslag 1917" p. xxvi, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no.
696.
128 Ibid. See: correspondence on attack on Cadzand (1917) in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star' entry no.
2.13.70, inventory no. 588. For the attack in 1915, see: correspondence in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star'
entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 178.
129 "Mobilisatieverslag 1917" p. xxv, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no.
696; Military District Commissioner (Kantonnemelltscommissaris) to the Commander of West Zeeuwsch
Vlaanderen, 23 October 1918, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 845;
Vries, "Nederland als non-belligerentenatie" p. 86.