Dutch resistance

  • I’ve written about Corrie ten Boom before, but today marks the 80th anniversary of her release from Ravensbrück Concentration Camp—a perfect moment to reflect on this remarkable woman’s extraordinary courage and resilience. Corrie ten Boom is a name synonymous with resilience, faith, and forgiveness. As a Dutch Christian who harbored Jews during World War II,

    Read more →

  • Johannes Berens, a young Dutch policeman from Rotterdam, stands out as an emblem of quiet resistance and sacrifice during World War II. Born on January 27, 1924, Johannes was raised in the Netherlands, soon to face brutal occupation by Nazi Germany. His life, like many of his countrymen’s, would be profoundly impacted by the events

    Read more →

  • In the face of Nazi occupation and oppression, heroes often come from unexpected places. One such hero was Segundo Jorge Adelberto “Boy” Ecury, a young man from Aruba who would become a key figure in the Dutch resistance. From a privileged upbringing on a Caribbean island to fighting for freedom in war-torn Europe, Ecury’s life

    Read more →

  • In the heart of the Nazi-occupied Netherlands, a young woman named Geertruida van Lier, known as Truus, stood out as a symbol of courage and determination. With her fierce conviction and dedication to justice, she risked her life in the fight against the Nazi regime during World War II. Truus’s story is one of youthful

    Read more →

  • The Second World War brought untold suffering to millions across Europe. In occupied territories, ordinary men and women found themselves faced with extraordinary choices: to collaborate, remain silent, or resist. Among the Dutch who chose resistance, Jan Bonekamp stands out as a courageous and determined figure whose actions epitomize the spirit of defiance against Nazi

    Read more →

  • Maarten Kuiper stands as a stark reminder of the complexities and moral ambiguities faced by individuals during the tumultuous times of World War II. Born on January 30, 1907, in Amsterdam, Kuiper’s early life was unremarkable, characterized by a series of ordinary professions including that of a sailor and a police officer. However, his later

    Read more →

  • At the De Zorg farm, on the Oude Sloterweg in Nieuw-Vennep,the Netherlands, the Boogaard family, led by the 75-year-old Johannes Boogaard, showed remarkable compassion. They helped hundreds of—mainly Jewish—people in hiding, providing refuge in every corner of the yard: an air raid shelter, on the haystack, and in a car. Their compassionate actions during the

    Read more →

  • Loulou Oderkerk was a Dutch resistance fighter who worked for the illegal newspaper Trouw. Through Trouw founder Gesina van der Molen, Oderkerk became involved in smuggling Jewish children to hiding places. Oderkerk also started doing courier work for Trouw, transporting copies, essays, newspapers and weapons. In October 1944, she was arrested and held prisoner in

    Read more →

  • I am always in awe of the brave men and women who risked their lives to save the lives of strangers—the Unsung Heroes of World War II. Kees Zwaans was such a hero. Kees Zwaans was a notable figure in the Dutch resistance during World War II. The Dutch resistance was a diverse movement that

    Read more →

  • From 1987 to 1997, I worked for Philips. It was a global leader in electronics and is still a leader in healthcare technology. In 1991, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. We were promised a profit share, but due to cuts, that never happened. Instead, we received a book about the history—100 years of Philips. 50

    Read more →