Bauxite and oil
Since 1922 ore had been extracted in Suriname from the red rock bauxite. This was used to produce aluminium. At the same time, Curacao and Aruba became home to refineries for the processing of oil extracted in Venezuela.

Industries flourished
The oil and aluminium industries flourished during the war. Eighty percent of the fuel used by the British air forces came from Curacao and Aruba. Aluminium from Suriname’s bauxite was used in the construction of around 60 percent of all allied planes.

Industries guarded
These key industries are guarded by American troops but also by Surinamese, Antilleans and Arubans. And by soldiers from the Prinses Irene Brigade, the army formed by the Dutch government, exiled in England at the time.

German attacks
In 1942, German submarines attack the oil installations, the oil tankers and other ships at sea. The oil installations suffer slight damage and dozens of ships go up in flames. But the Americans’ measures are effective and in 1943 the German attacks diminish.