Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Children Of The Enemy

The remarkable story of German children fostered by Dutch families after the Second World War. With Martha Kearney. From 2001.

Martha Kearney explores the remarkable story of German children fostered by Dutch families soon after the Second World War ended.

More than 50 years on, some of these children revisit their former foster homes.

More than 60,000 German children being fostered by Dutch families would appear to be 'a kind of miracle' only years after brutal Nazi occupation. The children stayed for six months between 1948 and 1950.

In addition to several personal recollections, Barbara Martin returns to the house she stayed in as an eight year-old, to meet Aunt Coby who fostered 14 children during that time.

Producer: Hans Pietsch

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2001.

30 minutes

On radio

Mon 24 Aug 202610:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Fri 15 Aug 201406:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 15 Aug 201413:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 15 Aug 201420:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 16 Aug 201402:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 15 Jun 201706:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 15 Jun 201713:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 15 Jun 201720:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 16 Jun 201701:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 23 Nov 202114:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 24 Nov 202102:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 24 Aug 202610:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 24 Aug 202616:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 25 Aug 202600:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra