Valkenburg in Valkenburg aan de Geul, Limburg, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Hendrik Colijn
| | 75 jaar Bevrijding fotoroute | |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 28, 2024
1. Hendrik Colijn Marker
Hendrik Colijn was one of the most important Dutch statesmen during the Interwar period. He directed five cabinets from 1925 to 1926 and from 1933 to 1939. When the Dutch government moved to England in 1940, he strongly condemned this. His open support for resistance against the Germans was the why he was placed under house arrest in The Hague on June 30, 1941. The next day he was taken to the Hotel Prins Hendrik in Valkenburg. Here he stayed in isolated exile until October 29, 1941. He was then transferred to Germany where he died in 1944.
Erected 2019.
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Valkenburg Bevrijding/Liberation Route series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1941.
Location. 50° 51.881′ N, 5° 49.825′ E. Marker is in Valkenburg, Limburg, in Valkenburg aan de Geul. It is at the intersection of Wilhelminalaan and Koninginneweg, on the left when traveling south on Wilhelminalaan. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valkenburg, Limburg 6301 GH, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bruggen opgeblazen - 13 September 1944 - Bridges Blown Up (within shouting distance of this marker); Kasteel Den Halder (within shouting distance of this marker); Kasteel den Halder (within shouting distance
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 28, 2024
2. Hendrik Colijn Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Hendrikus Colijn (Wikipedia).
World War II and death: After the Dutch defeat in the Battle of the Netherlands in 1940, Colijn published an essay entitled "On the Border of Two Worlds" (Op de Grens van Twee Werelden) in which he called for accepting German leadership in Europe immediately after the Royal House had fled to England and left him behind. His view was influenced by the tremendous show of force that the German blitzkrieg had shown and the relative weakness of the Allied forces. Soon thereafter, he tried to organize political resistance but was arrested in June 1941 and taken to Berlin for interrogation. The Germans tried to have him confess that he had conspired with the British to invade the Netherlands to serve as an excuse for the German invasion.(Submitted on June 4, 2024.)
Late in the war, according to a grandson, after the tide had turned against the Germans, Heinrich Himmler wanted to keep Colijn available as a possible intermediary with the British, as he had done earlier for Wilhelm II. The very fact that the Gestapo allowed the visit suggests that Himmler was already making contingency plans in case of a German loss. In March 1943, Colijn was put under house arrest in a remote mountain hotel in Ilmenau, where he died on 18 September 1944.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
