I think I should make this a SHORT new topic. Please don't go on and on and on about it.
In response to some biting e-mails the following:
NO I did not betray my homeland; our queen, family, and her cabinet had fled to England, and the houses (eerste en tweede kamer) in charge of the country of that time were percieved as the legitimate government.
They, as many Hollanders saw being a part of the new Europe as a good thing. As such they supported participation in the German forces.
NO I did not betray my Jewish grandmother, who although having false papers still was in jeopardy.
By "changing" the family profile I feel that I had part of saving her instead. She never understood that though and cursed me till her death. MY father, up to his neck in illegal activities DID understandn and so did the rest of the family.
Ironically 'Opa" her husband was an officer in the Dutch homeguard, while my maternal grandfather was married to his ??th wife, a dyed in the wool German National Socialist ans became a "Schutzwachtmann" or so, later on; even more strange is that the two grandmothers "kinda sorta" liked each other.
NO I am not ashamed of having been a Waffen SS soldier. I acknowledge that there was scum wearing the same uniform as I, but by en large we were soldiers, and damned good ones too. And "Meine Ehre heisst Treue" has guided me throughout my life.
Loyalty to my units and comrades, gradually overshadowing "loyalty" to the far away leadership.
And NO I did not condone nor participate in warcrimes; the fact that I after my incarceration served in the Royal Netherlands Army, should show you that.
NO I did not betray the Führer (although I dont understand 'this "jab"):x We took an oath and held true to it till the last. However, I strongly feel that he should have chosen to die on the baricades in Berlin, together with the remnants of the old men and young boys who were still trying to stop te Red Army on his orders.
I think this sums up my response to some nasty-stuff.
Perhaps, "in order to maintain tranquility at home and on the internet", I should refrain from posting anything at all.
Subconciously, I am beginning to understand why I have been procrastinating publishing the story of 'Chameleon".
Peace to all of you, Pax Vobiscum, Shalom, Salaam, and all the best.
H.N.
apologies
- Franz Repper
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Re: apologies
Hean you do and you will always have my respect ! You did what you thought was right at that time ,to me there is no need for apologies .
Denn jedem Kämpfer gibt ein Gott den Kameraden bei
- Tom Houlihan
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Re: apologies
Yeah, what he said!
Then, too, publishing Chameleon might mean that more people would understand what you did, and why!
Then, too, publishing Chameleon might mean that more people would understand what you did, and why!
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Re: apologies
Hugo – Since you posted the comments below I consider them fair game for discussion. It is understandable that you do not consider yourself a traitor for going over to the side of the Germans during WW II. However, it was Germany who invaded the sovereign nations of Europe such as Holland, Belgium, France, Denmark and Norway. Germany oppressed the citizens of those nations greatly throughout the war through murderers, torture, economic ruin and the destruction of historic buildings that I am reminded of every time I visit Europe, not to mention the pogroms against the Jewish citizens.
I suspect that the films “Soldier of Orange” and “Black Book” provide a fairly accurate depiction of life during the German occupation of Holland. Germany was the enemy of every country in Europe and whoever went over to the German side was clearly a traitor at the time in my view, not withstanding later amnesties by their post-war governments. Some non-German veterans may say that they joined the German military to fight against Bolshevism and that is just a bunch of BS in most cases. Everyone knows that the “Landstorm Nederland” only fought against the Canadians and British, not the Russians.
I wonder how many Dutchmen joined the Japanese Army following the occupation of the Dutch East Indies?
John
I suspect that the films “Soldier of Orange” and “Black Book” provide a fairly accurate depiction of life during the German occupation of Holland. Germany was the enemy of every country in Europe and whoever went over to the German side was clearly a traitor at the time in my view, not withstanding later amnesties by their post-war governments. Some non-German veterans may say that they joined the German military to fight against Bolshevism and that is just a bunch of BS in most cases. Everyone knows that the “Landstorm Nederland” only fought against the Canadians and British, not the Russians.
I wonder how many Dutchmen joined the Japanese Army following the occupation of the Dutch East Indies?
John
Re: apologies
I had a response, but on second thought I deleted it.
H.N.
H.N.
joined forum early spring of 2002 as Haen- posts: legio :-)
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think !
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think !
- Franz Repper
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- Location: Tampere, Finland
Re: apologies
That I am sorry to say is wrong ,many welcomed Germany Finland set troops to the SS and many of those who I have spoken to dont think they are traitors .Germany was the enemy of every country in Europe and whoever went over to the German side was clearly a traitor at the time in my view, not withstanding later amnesties by their post-war governments. Some non-German veterans may say that they joined the German military to fight against Bolshevism and that is just a bunch of BS in most cases.
How long will this post stay ? or get edited again ?
Denn jedem Kämpfer gibt ein Gott den Kameraden bei
Re: apologies
This thing is going out of hand. I will ask John to delete the thread. i should have known better than opening a can of worms.
PLEASE no more responses.
Hugo N.
PLEASE no more responses.
Hugo N.
joined forum early spring of 2002 as Haen- posts: legio :-)
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think !
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think !