The operation began on 10 September 1946 in Amsterdam, when German expatriates and their families were arrested at their homes in the middle of the night and given one hour to pack 50 kg of luggage.
Operationen begyndte den 10. september 1946 i Amsterdam, da etniske tyskere og deres familier blev arresteret i deres hjem midt om natten og fik en time til at pakke 50 kilo bagage.