The construction of the Nieuwe Waterweg in 1863 marked the start of the growth of the Port of Rotterdam . On 14 May 1940 , during the Second World War , the centre of Rotterdam was destroyed by a German bombardment . The subsequent German occupation of the Netherlands resulted in anti-Jewish measures , and many members of Dutch resistance were captured and executed on the Waalsdorpervlakte . At the same time , the Atlantikwall was constructed along the coast . After the Second World War , in 1953 , the south of South Holland was heavily struck by the North Sea flood , which took the lives of 677 South Hollanders . After this , the Dutch government decided for the construction of the Delta Works , which came to an end with the completion of the Maeslantkering in 1997
North Sea flood
North Sea flood of 1953
South Holland