Five Brothers and a War

German Strategy Regarding Holland

Mussert attempted to convince Hitler that he should be the leader of an independent Dutch state, a request which Hitler denied, leaving Reichskommissar Seyß-Inquart as the absolute ruler of Holland. He was however allowed to take on the title of "Leader of the Dutch People" and the NSB was permitted to continue its political activities. The NSB declared that the monarchy was abolished and that Holland should support Germany in the war. 20,000 to 25,000 Dutchmen served in the German Army and Waffen SS. All institutions and organizations not deemed acceptable by Nazi Germany were abolished. These measures were opposed especially by Dutch Roman Catholics and socialists. Despite the Germans considering the Dutch to be Herrenvolk (like the Germans, racially superior), Germany's requirements for war production resulted in the introduction of forced labor ( Arbeitseinsatz ) on Dutch men between 18 and 45 years of age, as well as extracting Dutch natural resources for use in Germany's war machine.

nazi germany

Five Brothers and a War

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