The Dutch Resistance 1940–45

World War II Resistance and Collaboration in the Netherlands

The Dutch Resistance 1940–45 cover

The Dutch Resistance 1940–45

World War II Resistance and Collaboration in the Netherlands

Description

Describes and illustrates the full range of Dutch resistance groups and German and collaborationist counter-resistance groups during the Nazi occupation in 1940-45.

The Nazi occupation of the Netherlands was a complex, varied and bloody affair. Well- documented is the initial capture by the Gestapo of a secret Dutch Special Operations Executive radio-operator who thereafter lured several parachuted agents to their deaths, but, the actual scope and complexity of the occupation was much greater than this. Large-scale civil resistance against the occupation began as early as February 1941, and 1943 saw assassinations, reprisals, and the development of various resistance groups – the LKP National Assault Teams and some 'wild' armed groups: the left wing RzV and the conservative OD. In addition, several overlapping Dutch organizations amalgamated in September 1944 into the NBS: 'Netherlands Interior Forces'. In return, the Germans created the collaborationist Landwacht security force. From the start of September 1944, when Allied armies liberated the southern provinces of North Brabant and Limburg, NBS "shocktroop" units were uniformed and armed by both the British and US armies and assisted their further advance, while a bloody underground struggle continued in the still occupied North until final liberation in April 1945.

The Dutch authors of this title are long-time researchers of the subject, with family connections to Resistance veterans, a large library of hitherto untranslated local sources, and support from several museums and private photo collections to fully document the groups and fighting involved. Using detailed color illustrations of troops and fighters, this volume provides a comprehensive and in-depth account of one of the lesser-known occupations of WWII.

Table of Contents


FASCISM IN THE PRE-WAR NETHERLANDS
Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (NSB, National Socialist Movement)
Nationale Jeugdstorm (NJS, National Youth Force)
Nationaal-Socialistische
Nederlandse Arbeiderspartij (NSNAP, National Socialist Netherlands Workers' Party)
Zwart Front (ZF, Black Front) and Nationaal Front (NF, National Front)
Grauwe Vendels (GV, Grey Banners)
THE MILITARY OCCUPATION, 1940–45
THE SECURITY APPARATUS
General Commission for Security
Local security forces: Nazification of the Dutch police
Wachtmannen (Watchmen)
Kontroll-Kommando (KK, Control Guard)
Nederlandse Landwacht (LW, Home Guard)
Landstorm Nederland (LSN, Territorial Defence Force)
GROWTH OF THE RESISTANCE, 1940–44
Continuing the fight from Great Britain
The 'England Game'
Emergence of the first resistance movements: Communistische Partij Nederland (CPN, Netherlands
Communist Party)
Geuzen ('Beggars')
Ordedienst (OD, Order Service)
CS-6
Raad van Verzet (RVV, Resistance Council)
Three women RVV fighters
Landelijke Organisatie voor Hulp aan Onderduikers (LO, National Organizationfor Help to People in Hiding)
The decisive general strike, April–May 1943
Landelijke Knokploegen (LKP, National Assault Teams)
Prison raids
OPEN WARFARE, FROM SEPTEMBER 1944
ALLIED LIBERATION OPERATIONS, 1944–45
GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATIONS
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX

Product details

Published May 17 2022
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781472848024
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Black & white and colour photos.
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series Elite
Short code ELI 245
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Klaas Castelein

KLAAS CASTELEIN holds a BA degree in History and a…

Author

Michel Wenting

MICHEL WENTING LLM is a researcher into local mili…

Illustrator

Mark Stacey

Mark Stacey was born in Manchester, UK, in 1964 an…

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