Five Brothers and a War

Operation Manna/Chowhound

Marshall, Douglas MacArthur and Henry Arnold to the new “Five-Star General” rank in order to maintain equivalency). Prins Bernhard was informed that he (Eisenhower) lacked the authority to engage the Germans in cease-fire discussions. Nonetheless, Eisenhower was ready on the military and logistical end to bring relief to the Dutch. In the meantime, Prins Bernhard secured permissions from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt (who had Dutch origins, despite an Americanization of his real family name, van Rosenvelt , meaning “from Rosefield”. In the 17 th Century, FDR's ancestor, Claes Maartenszoon van Rosenvelt emigrated from Holland to Nieuw Nederland , in what would later become the U.S.). Roosevelt had struck up a relationship with Koningin Wilhelmina, who used the President's Dutch roots to her advantage.

the war

Koningin Wilhelmina with FDR, who of course suffered from polio and was usually confined to a wheelchair, out of sight of photographers. In this photo, he wanted to seem normal, but could not stand without the support of both his cane and his escort, in this case a Navy Captain. This visit was in 1942.

Five Brothers and a War

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