Soon after the occupation in May 1940, shoes in the Netherlands could only be purchased via “ration coupons”. With this strict form of regulation, shoes remained available and affordable for most people. One year after the occupation, in May 1941, Van Bommel's shoe production was cut in half. In October of that year, Van Bommel no longer received hides or leather from the State Office and the electricity was cut off. All raw materials for making shoes were seized by the occupying forces to produce war materials. Throughout 1942, the production of Schoenfabriek Van Bommel was forced to shut down.

(Image below: All raw materials for making shoes were confiscated by occupying forces to produce war materials. In 1943, using rushes and wood, shoes could still be made on a small scale.)

In 1943, production of rush or reed shoes with wooden soles restarted. The rushes for the uppers were woven by cigar factory Karel I in Den Bosch, who were also out of work. Four months after liberation, September 1945, the first 40 pairs of post-war leather shoes were produced. In June 1946, shoes were no longer subject to supply regulations and Van Bommel was soon back to pre-war conditions.

(Image above: In times of scarcity, everything became more expensive. The distribution of shoes was strictly regulated by “ration coupons” and fixed prices.)