HISTORY:
** The history of the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1940-445 was complex. It saw the creation not only of various Resistance organizations that were distinct in time, place and character, but also of collaborationist forces raised by the Germans to counter them. In 1944, the liberation of the southern provinces led to the formation of battalions trained, uniformed and equipped by the Allied armies to assist in future operations. Meanwhile, a vicious underground war continued in the still-occupied northern half of the country until the final German surrender in May 1945. This book, illustrated with rare photos and new colour plates, provides an in-depth analysis of these armed Resistance movements. In addition to telling their sometimes tragic but inspiring stories, it explores various overlooked fascist groups and armed collaborationist organizations, providing reconstructions of the hitherto unknown uniforms. **
** Quoted from the back cover of the book.
THE BOOK:
Osprey Publications has released The Dutch Resistance 1940-45 - World War II Resistance and Collaboration in the Netherlands as Number 245 in the Elite series. It is a 64-page soft cover book. 7 1/4 x 10 3/4 inches in size. Included with the text are color and black and white photographs, color illustrations, detailed captions and more. It has a 2022 copyright, a publication date of March 17, 2022, and the ISBN is 978-1-4728-4802-4.
THE CONTENTS:
Please refer to the attached scan of the Contents page for a detailed listing of the contents of book.
THE TEXT:
Authors Michel Wenting LLM and Klaas Castelein provides a well written text discussing Dutch resistance groups and German and collaborationist counter-resistance groups in the Netherlands during World War II. The text goes into great detail in all areas of the book as outlined on the contents page, please refer to the contents listing scan that I have provided for the areas that are covered through the book. Michel Wenting LLM and Klaas Castelein provide an excellent text detailing the information listed in the contents by going into great detail providing information on specific things such as the numbers of individuals in specific units, dates, locations military units, unit insignia, key individuals, specific actions taken, number of individuals arrested, number of individuals killed and which side of the conflict they were fighting on and other such information. In addition to their own words, Michel Wenting LLM and Klaas Castelein have provided quotes from key individuals involved. The text in the book is nicely written and well detailed. As I read through the text, I didn’t notice any spelling or grammatical errors. Grammar and spelling might not be an important factor to everyone however it is something that I take notice of and pass on my findings. I feel that if the text is well written then it shows that the author has taken the time to be professional with their writing. Anyone wanting to add an excellent reference and history book on the Dutch resistance groups and German and collaborationist counter-resistance groups during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during the years of 1940 through 1945 to their personal library will be pleased with this informative and interesting book.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS:
A total of 45 black and white photographs and 7 color photographs are included in this volume. The photographs range from wide angle photographs to close-up detailed photographs. They contain in-action photographs and photographs having been staged for the photographer. The majority of the photographs are clear and easily viewable; however, a few have an out of focus look to them and some appear to be too dark, and others appear too light. This is typical for the discussed period of history and consideration needs to be given to the fact that the photographs are over 75 years old. The quality of some of the photographs is of no fault of the authors and do not take anything away from the book. Authors Michel Wenting LLM and Klaas Castelein stuck to the title of the book and chose subject specific photographs and did not include photographs that strayed from the main subject of the book. The majority, if not all, of the photographs will prove to be a wealth of information to the scale figure modeler as well as anyone interested in World War Dutch resistance groups and German and collaborationist counter-resistance groups soldiers, their weapons and equipment used, clothing worn and other such items due to the details they contain.
THE ILLUSTRATIONS:
There are 37 color illustrations, accompanied by detailed captions, included in this volume by illustrator Mark Stacey. The illustrations are very well done, nicely detailed and are of:
Plate A:
Fascism In The Netherlands
1. Nationale Jeugdstorm flag-bearer, from 1934
2. Grauwe Vendels paramilitary, July-October 1940
2(a). Initial emblem of the ZF
2(b). Final emblem of the ZF and NF
3. NSNAP-Rappard paramilitary, 1941
Plate B:
Labour Services, & State Police
1. Arbeidsman, Nederlandse Arbeidsdienst, 1940-45
1(a). NAD cap badge
2. Vormann, RAD Oostkorps; Russia, 1942-44
3. Wachtmeester, Staatspolitie; Sshalkharr, February 1944
Plate C:
Collaboration & Resistance
1. Kontroll-Kommando guard; Camp Erika, 1942-44
2. Wachmann, after August 1943
3. Landelijke Knokploegen fighter, after August 1943
Plate D:
Counter-Resistance
1. Professional Rottenführer, Landwacht, after January 1944
1(a). LW collar patch
2. Auxiliary LW member, after November 1943
3. Flemish Untersturmfüher, Sicherheitsdienst; Friesland, April 1945
Plate E:
Resistance. 1944-45
1. Partizanenactie Nederland fighter; Eindhoven, September 1944
2. Stoottroepen soldier of ST Brabant Command; British Second Army, 1944-45
2(a). ST shoulder title
2(b). Dutch national sleeve badge
3. Stoottroepen soldier of ST Limburg Command; US Ninth Army, 1944-45
3(a). Dutch lion helmet marking
Plate F:
Resistance. 1945
1. University student member, NBS; Delft, May 1945
2. Order service member, NBS; Heerlen, February 1945
3. NBS fighter, eastern or northern provinces, April 1945
Plate G:
Netherlands Interior Forces
1. Wachtmeester, Marechaussee, September 1944 onwards
2. NBS commander, September 1944 onwards
2(a). NBS commander sleeve patch
3. NBS motorcycle courier; Friesland, May 1945
Plate H:
Brassards
1. Netherlands Interior Forces
2. NBS, Amsterdam
3. NBS, Delft
4. NBS Combat Wing
5. PAN, Eindhoven
6. NBS, Heerlen
7. NBS, The Hague
8. Civil Defence, May 1945
THE CAPTIONS:
The captions are well written and explain the accompanying photographs and illustrations in great detail eliminating any doubt as to what is shown. The captions go into very specific detail as to the names of specific individuals shown, types of uniforms and clothing worn, weapons, equipment carried and used, dates and locations and other such pertinent information. As I read through the captions, I didn’t notice any spelling or grammatical errors. I was impressed with the captions as they are very helpful to the reader due to their detailed content as opposed to other captions that I have seen that are very brief and lacking in detail.
MAPS:
There is 1 map with a detailed key included in this volume and it accompanies the section of the book titled “Open Warfare, From September 1944”.
NOTES:
There are 3 notes included in this volume and they are:
- Dedication
- Editor’s Note
- Acknowledgements
Osprey Publishing also offers The Dutch Resistance 1940-45 - World War II Resistance and Collaboration in the Netherlands as:
eBook (Epub & Mobi) ISBN: 978-1-4728- 4796 -6
and
eBook (PDF) ISBN: 978-1-4728-4800-0
Osprey Publishing’s, The Dutch Resistance 1940-45 - World War II Resistance and Collaboration in the Netherlands is also available as an electronic Kindle version through Amazon.com.
PRICE:
UK £13.99 / US $20.00 / CAN $27.00
This book was provided to me by Osprey Publishing. Please be sure to mention that you saw the book reviewed here on the KitMaker Network when you make your purchase. Thank you.
