A Collection of Issues from the Resistance Movement "Free Holland" – 1941 Issues

A Collection of Issues from the Resistance Movement "Free Holland" – 1941 Issues

Vrij Nederland - The Rare Weekly Published by the Dutch Resistance During World War II – 25 Consecutive Issues from August 9, 1941, to January 21, 1942 (All Issues from 1941) – Including Reports on the Persecution of Jews in Nazi-Occupied Holland, Resistance Activities, Anti-Nazi Cartoons, and Public Warnings About Nazi Actions. Dutch.

The various issues contain extensive coverage of the wave of antisemitism that swept through the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. Among other topics, the magazine regularly reported on the decrees imposed on Dutch Jews, including the dismissal of Jewish civil servants and teachers, and the implementation of the Nuremberg Laws. Additionally, the issues feature anti-Nazi cartoons, public warnings about Nazi intentions, and articles encouraging active resistance against the occupation. These rare issues served as a free voice for the Dutch people, providing reliable information in contrast to Nazi propaganda and promoting values of democracy, freedom, justice, and equality. For example, in the issue of November 15, 1941, a report describes "Hitler’s pathological hatred of Jews", stating: "In Italy... they follow the guidelines drawn by the little monster Goebbels—first pretending to be 'liberal, ' then suddenly discovering that the Jewish population is behaving badly... and finally claiming that they are a secret criminal organization... We have reached the third stage in the Netherlands... People are now loudly declaring that the Jews are guilty of showing insolence toward the rest of the population... Hitler-Goebbels' anti-Jewish plan now demands the denunciation of 'the Jew.' And all the magazines... are beating the drum together...". The issue also reports on the relentless anti-Jewish decrees: "The decree published yesterday... which, in principle and under threat of punishment, forbids Jews from entering concert halls, ensures that such 'undignified scenes' will not be repeated..." That same issue, under the headline "Hitler" reports: "Ten million German men will be dressed as soldiers and assigned to the task of extermination...". Regular reports also include updates on the mobilization of Allied and Soviet forces against Germany, developments in the Dutch army, strategies for resisting the German Gestapo, the organization of Dutch trade unions and Nazi attempts to shut them down, covert and overt resistance activities (such as hanging "V" posters in the streets), descriptions of the destruction in Dutch cities following Nazi bombings, and much more.

Additionally, the various issues contain regular reports on the Nazi advance into the Netherlands and the increasing pressure on the civilian population. For example, in the September 6, 1941 issue, it is written: "All Dutch professional and reserve officers, including those no longer in active service, are now required to surrender all weapons in their possession. Fines for entering and leaving: 'Anyone who enters or exits the occupied Dutch territory without permission will be punished with a prison sentence of no more than two years or a fine...". The issue also reports on how the Nazis were taking control of Dutch universities and more. The September 13, 1941 issue provides an extensive report on "the eighth decree for the Netherlands", which turned Dutch mayors into mere instruments of the Nazi occupiers. The September 27, 1941 issue details the Nazi takeover of the Christian Church. A comprehensive analysis of Hitler's Berlin speech appears in the October 11, 1941 issue: "Hitler has only enemies. Just as in the past he could only rule Germany through terror, now he can maintain himself only by terrorizing all the nations he himself has listed." The October 25, 1941 issue reports on German war crimes in Belgium, and more.

Among the issues included is the August 31, 1941 edition, dedicated to the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, celebrated at Queen’s Hall in London (as she was in exile following the Nazi occupation). This issue features a special color cover, rare photographs from the celebrations, and numerous advertisements with patriotic themes.

Vrij Nederland was established in the Netherlands as a resistance newspaper during the German occupation in World War II. The weekly was inspired by the Radio Vrij Nederland station and was founded by a group of young Protestants, including Frans Hofker, Jan van der Neut, Dan Lubberding (who were arrested in early 1941), Kees Troost, Anne Kuystra, and Wim Spellman. The newspaper became one of the most significant channels of Dutch resistance against Nazi rule between 1940 and 1945. Its primary purpose was to serve as a free voice for the Dutch people and to create a reliable source of information in contrast to the false propaganda of the German occupation. The writers and distributors of the newspaper were members of the Dutch underground resistance who opposed Nazi rule. Publication began in August 1940, and one of its central ideologies was cooperation between all resistance groups, regardless of political or social affiliation. Many of the writers had been journalists and intellectuals before the occupation, contributing their skills to create a newspaper that promoted democratic values, freedom, justice, and equality. Distributing the newspaper posed a great risk to those involved. Resistance members had to evade constant surveillance by the Gestapo and local collaborators. Printing and distribution were carried out in highly secret locations, and the underground movement used various methods to conceal the circulation from the Nazis. Although copies were limited, the newspaper reached thousands of readers. In 1941, a wave of arrests took place among the editorial staff, with the founding members captured by the Germans. Despite this, others continued printing the newspaper under underground conditions. 

After the end of World War II and the liberation of the Netherlands, Vrij Nederland became a legitimate newspaper and continued publishing in the country. It maintained its democratic and liberal values and became one of the most influential newspapers in post-war Netherlands.

25 complete issues. Some issues contain detached pages. Overall condition: Good.