Why Dutch Men Fought for Germany at the Eastern Front of World War II

Why did Dutch men join the Germans in their invasion of the Soviet Union? Who were these Dutch collaborators in the Second World War in the Netherlands? Who were the Dutch volunteers for Germany in WWII? Why were there 25,000 Dutch volunteers for the Dutch Waffen-SS Legion? In this video I will explain why these man joined the ranks of Hitler's elite guard to fight on the Eastern Front of WW2. After the German invasion of the Netherlands, the Germans started to recruit Dutch men for their service. There were several units created among which the Westland Regiment that was part of the Viking Division (Wiking) that fought at the Eastern Front. This is the first installment of a series about SS volunteers from the Netherlands in WWII.
History Hustle presents: Why Dutch Men Fought for Germany at the Eastern Front of WW2.
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SOURCES
- Veldgrauw. Nederlanders in de Waffen-SS (Evertjan van Roekel).
- Wiking (Henk Histemaker).
IMAGES
Images from commons.wikimedia.org and my own.
MUSIC
"Road to Hell" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
"The Descent" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
"Division" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
"Devastation and Revenge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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SOUNDS
Freesound.org.
Wanna join forces and do a collaboration? Send me an email at: [e-mail]

[@HistoryHustle]

GERMAN INVASION OF THE NETHERLANDS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXqspIxsa5mne5Y GERMAN OCCUPATION OF THE NETHERLANDS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWiZfYuwgtxmm7M THE LIBERATION OF THE NETHERLANDS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZiYeHh7gtl2qas

[@markopovic7072]

You missed the biggest point why the Dutch joined the SS. Dutch saw themself as Germans until WW2, durch etnicity never existed

[@monkeydank7842]

Small mistake. Beginning 1943 the SS enlisted conscripts in Germany. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffen-SS?wprov=sfti1

[@stainrid]

Dutch government in 1940 claimed to be neutral but this was a lie. Dutch military was engaged in talks with British military. RAF was allowed to fly over Dutch airspace to bomb targets in Germany. forum.codoh.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=12153

[@theobolt250]

@@markopovic7072 Actually it's more complicated. A very good example, in which religious motives played a role, is that of Willem Aantjes who was a long time a leading politician up to the moment that he was outed as ex-Waffen SS.

[@timkbirchico8542]

Dear Hustle, please read labell79's comment they made to me. They had family who joined the ss. Their comment is poignant. Alsjeblieft.

[@johnwiddowson5695]

My parents had a pub in Retford and one weekend I came home in my Para uniform. I got into conversation with a Dutch chap who on seeing my uniform started talking about Arnhem, he was there. He then confessed to wearing a grey uniform. That was the first time I realised that these things happened. That would have been back in 1965.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you for sharing, very interesting.

[@neilwhitaker6284]

@@lessknowledgeplease does the grey uniform signify that he fought for the Wehrmacht or volunteer SS division?

[@pingunootnoot1165]

8:35 Not a phone in sight, just people living the moment.

[@HistoryHustle]

I guess...

[@cheese5331]

lmao

[@johnmilligan6605]

Poeple were well informed and fully understood the evil sick subhuman doctrine of fascism in the late 20s 30s long before phones became the norm i am 56 and grew up with no phone at home and understood fascism was wrong from when i could think there is no excuse for what the fascists did in spain italy germany or anywhere else evil is evil and these people almost desroyed humankind with or without teleophoneso

[@user-zw7dc6nr6b]

@@johnmilligan6605 No offense to u but u i am warning u cuz u might get r/woooshed

[@cv4809]

@@johnmilligan6605 r/whooosh

[@pathirtle]

The world could use more passionate history teachers like you.

[@HistoryHustle]

😁👍

[@andrewrobinson2565]

I'm a retired teacher, and YOU are a GREAT teacher. Imagine yourself as this person 80 years ago - young people have great imaginations and you are an excellent storyteller job - +1 and subscribed. Bravo! Your classes must be exciting for your students 👍👍! I like your mix of Dutch and English too.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your reply, Andrew!

[@nledaig]

I agree. He is very good.

[@Toonhai]

Yeah right let's forget about murdering dutch Jews. Bolshevics must have murder them while dutch ss was defending them. What kind of teacher are you? Hitler Jurgen troops?

[@RevoluitonaryTV]

Was fairly interested in the content of this channel already, but you really earned my sub for delivering this nuanced view on such a touchy subject. Meinen Respekt dafür ^^

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks. Part II can be viewed here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4mvm4WtfKyrarc Part III will be released in December somewhere.

[@mammuchan8923]

Superb storytelling as always, and love the split personality Stefans👌👌🤗

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks! And yeah, glad you liked it. It was an effort timing the whole thing, glad it worked out :)

[@nzmonsterman]

I really found this interesting. Great to see a realistic perspective. Thank you.

[@HistoryHustle]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@andrijamartic2403]

very well made video. i think you did a great job explaining some of their motives in the context of time they lived in. enlisting just to "see the world" is a kind of motivation that is hard to understand today but certainly played a huge part back then for many of the young people.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Andrija.

[@BelloBudo007]

Well said. It is perhaps hard to understand today. I am old enough to remember when travelling overseas was not something that too many Australians even considered. It was as if we were stuck in a rut. Then somethings started to change and people wanted to see other places, meet other people and have adventures before settling down to a career & family. I can certainly understand how my Grandfather felt when a chance came for him to join the Australian Army & fight in Africa. No doubt he saw it as a chance to experience exotic places, as opposed to a hum drum life as a regular tradesman with no chance to see the world. He no doubt loved the company of other men that shared that common goal of fighting for the Empires. ;-)

[@Unther]

Looking forward to that future video! Those 12:41 went by fast. Very well done and very informative, thanks a lot. :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Cheers! Thanks for your message.

[@pieter-jandeburger9725]

A great channel, keep it up

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks! Saturday this video will be online.

[@cwbmars2050]

Fascinating!! thankyou, and keep up the good work👍

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. Please do check the follow-up videos in the playlist in case you're interested: kzbin.info/aero/PL_bcNuRxKtpH80zEWzRuvOVAc2C0M7C1V

[@backinblack1982]

Great video! Thanks for all your work on the channel

[@HistoryHustle]

You welcome, thanks for watching and your comment!

[@guidohannessen]

Not all Germans were nazi's and not all nazi's were German

[@HistoryHustle]

True.

[@nick8170]

Hitler is a racist and Churchill also a racist - and both warmongers. But people watch Hollywood movie, witch likely, more like allies propaganda. Ohh the level on confusions to be a history teachers in neutral country

[@HistoryHustle]

@@nick8170 please explain

[@nick8170]

@@HistoryHustle it's a long book called Churchill secret wars mostly covered up Bengal famine. And in another literature about Churchill action on Irish Catholic, Churchill and Jewish Zionist, attitude towards Muslim especially Palestinians,and his white supremacy statement. Before Churchill rise in power, Britain parlement divided in two approach negotiating the treaty or go to war. Fire bombing, using poisoning gas in middle East

[@pingunootnoot1165]

@@nick8170 Churchill also fought in the second boer war killing innocent Afrikanen

[@RastaSaiyaman]

When visiting the Imperial War Museum in London a few years ago, I learned about how the defense of Berlin against the Soviets was done by Waffen SS troops which came from Belgium, The Netherlands and France. They fought because they no longer had a home to return to, with their native countries having been liberated. They knew that people wouldn't welcome them back home as heroes who fought the battle for the good cause. So they decided to die in battle rather than to face the music.

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, indeed. Thanks for your comment.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

@@HistoryHustle But the most important thing I learned when visiting that museum was that there are NO winners in a war, everybody loses. Look up a song by Sting called "they dance alone" which is about those mothers and wives who's husbands and sons never got home.

[@kareldekale4987]

@@RastaSaiyaman Without that war, there would not have been a "jewish" Israel in that strategic area! Besides countries who were occupied by the Wehrmacht have still to pay reparation debts to Israel. So at last, who won that dirty war?

[@r32guy85]

@@kareldekale4987 he's talking about in general

[@r32guy85]

there were also some spanish blue division soldiers in the defense of berlin, very little tho

[@wmelliott3802]

Fantastic channel that's always very informative I wish that you had been my history teacher in my youth.

[@HistoryHustle]

I appreciate this compliment! Hope you'll like the future video's as well!:)

[@peterforden5917]

In Estonia a mortally wounded single Dutch SS soldier ( one arm blown off...) destroyed at a cross roads 12 russian tanks, the last one was only 4 meters from his gun. Irrespective of his politics that was a magnificent feat still spoken of in Estonia when I visited in 92

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting. I believe that was near Narva right? Still have to visit this place.

[@Toonhai]

Lol. Nazi stories for kids. So cool. Ss heroes. They rescued world from USA, soviets and jews in German death camps. You all deserve jail time for spreading nazism

[@Robin6512]

mooie aflevering. goed en genuanceerd uitgelegd. altijd lastig om met huidige inzichten te kijken naar wat er toen gedacht en gedaan werd. das ook het probleem een beetje tegenwoordig.....

[@HistoryHustle]

Dank voor je bericht.

[@alielkebabi142]

Very interesting! Keep up the good work!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you!

[@johnryder1713]

Good to see you in your job setting Stefan, and well done with the video

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@morisco56]

Brilliant and well explained video could you also do this with the french volunteers?

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks and actually yes, in August this video will come out. Part of a collaboration.

[@natashajones3206]

Volunteer's, dont you mean traitors, collaborators

[@Ramtin-Blue_rose]

@@The_OneManCrowd heroes!!😆 the insecurity and fragility these French men experienced ,to betray your country and COLLABORATE WITH FRANCE ARCHENEMY GERMAN REIGH that annexed more than half of France and made a puppet out of Vichy ,in the final days of This right wing lunacy they were on COPIUM defending Berlin, just like you demonizing bolsheviks, the world and liberal democracies owe the bolsheviks a lot for crushing this far right lunacy and defeat The nazis.

[@MrScaryplayer]

Netjes gedaan, goed gemotiveerd zonder te veel diepgang wat het te ingewikkeld en correct maakt.

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt. Deel 2 zal na de zomer verschijnen.

[@richstrasz6653]

My father served in the1st Polish Armoured Division in WW2, I remember him telling me this story. After the liberation of Breda his regiment was rested. He was billeted with a Dutch couple on a small farm, absolutely nothing was too much trouble for them; in fact they were almost falling over themselves to make his stay as comfortable as possible . My Dad soon got the feeling something was no right, he knew he was sleeping in their sons room but the son was not around nor was he ever mentioned. Then one day while in the house on his own he opened the draw of the sideboard in the living room and there was a picture of their son in full Waffen SS uniform.

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting story. What happened next? Love to learn more about this.

[@richstrasz6653]

@@HistoryHustle Sorry - that's all he told me. I don't think he reported them to anyone or anything like that. I think he only stayed a few days and this was towards the end of the stay

[@dinerouk]

Drawer of the sidebord, NOT draw!

[@discoverynorthcarolina9824]

Excellent Video 👍👍👍 Straight to the facts !!!!!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you very much, glad you liked it!

[@vocalg1]

Thank you for this video and with information pertaining to this video. I love learning stuff like this pertaining to my ethnic background which is Friesian from my grandfather. Great information and history. I will definitely look into that book. WIKING.

[@HistoryHustle]

You're welcome. Thanks for replying. Actually, this is the first in a series. In case you're interested in seeing the rest here is the playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL_bcNuRxKtpH80zEWzRuvOVAc2C0M7C1V

[@niklasciccone2724]

wow you really explain all sides of the arguments wow keep it up

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@davidforbregd2096]

You do a great job in presenting the material. I like the fact that you cover why people joined the various units.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply.

[@historiaobscurum3308]

Your videos are amazing, in depth, and balanced. Thank you for doing these.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your reply.

[@gauloiseguy]

In another thread I left a comment about my grandmother. Here my grandfather (my mom's dad) deserves a mention. My grandfather went through a lot. He was arrested for Arbeitseinsatz two times and got away two times (kamp Amersfoort). I lived across the street of the monastery that hid him for a few years. Which was quite strange. He told me a lot and the stories of me and my mom deviate a bit, I'll keep it to the facts we agree on. Long story short, he got through the war and was quite forgiving towards the Germans with a tiny mean streak (when a German asks for directions you point the wrong way and say 'immer gerade aus' which means straight ahead). He was intensely anti Bolshevik yet condemned the collaborators that fought for Germany with a vengeance. He was very judgemental about these people (these people have no place in society) up to the point he wouldn't allow my mother to play with one of the neighbour's kids as he was a collaborator. I have thought a lot about this difference and the things we spoke about (he died relatively young when I was twenty). The reason he could forgive the German people and not the collaborators was as such IMO: The German people where caught in a maelstrom, an irrevocable current of hatred of which many people could not escape even if they wanted to. The Dutch collaborators did what they did by choice. They could have blended in with the rest and just endure the occupation. Yet they choose to betray their fellow countrymen. He once said to me 'If you ever see the face of Nazism again, don't be silent and don't think it will just blow over'. The lesson I took from this: Never betray your fellow countrymen as nobody respects a collaborator. Not the occupiers, not your countrymen and not even yourself or your peers. And the most important, never back away from evil. It won't blow over.

[@peace-now]

I can understand people being collaborators. "Enduring the occupation" means being a collaborator.

[@klubaswiking2075]

Very interesting. Keep it up!!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you!

[@aidanforcetwo3592]

Awesome and informative video!

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@dasbear-1408]

Thank you for making historical videos I greatly appreciate it and thank you for helping me expand my knowledge of the second world war extremely interesting and very informative 👍

[@HistoryHustle]

You're welcome, Joe.

[@TimDutch]

Dat eerste gedeelte in het bijzonder, leuk gemaakt!

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt voor het kijken en je bericht, as always Tim! :)

[@billalexander8011]

That is a really good video. As an English speaking person I don't really remember seeing a lot of content focused on the Netherlands during WWII.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Bill. Actually I have a whole playlist for you. Lemme know if you like the content: kzbin.info/aero/PL_bcNuRxKtpFqVkDAwQwskFibTbzaZ0sq

[@danielm.4346]

What a well made video. Goed gedaan! Dank je wel.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks!👍

[@dixztube]

Oh didn’t catch this video … love your channel man

[@HistoryHustle]

Great 👍 Here is the full playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL_bcNuRxKtpH80zEWzRuvOVAc2C0M7C1V

[@MaxSluiman]

Well done! Interesting, good story telling and well narrated! And again, with all the uniforms. Where did you get them? Do you you also teach history this way at a school?

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. McFarthingbowl's Re-enactment Supplies. Sort of, although I like to keep things interactive with a quiz here and there. Also showing scenes from movies about the subject.

[@MaxSluiman]

@@HistoryHustle That is nice! The pupils must appreciate your enthusiasm!

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, I think they do 😁

[@parmindersingh2558]

Love this channel true history channel it is irrespective of any discrimination of any community. Love you😘

[@HistoryHustle]

Haha, thanks!

[@harrylime8412]

Excellent piece! I have always been baffled by this phenomenon.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Harry. This is the first part of a series about Dutch Waffen-SS volunteers. You can find the full playlist here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mILPd2OflpJ0eKM

[@harrylime8412]

@@HistoryHustle Thanks son.

[@jordanclark1214]

Thank you, truly, you're a very funny and eloquent teacher, I take my metaphorical hat off to you. I'd recommend you're videos to all my friends if interest.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks, Jordan!

[@Radio4ManLeics]

Heel interessant om een ​​Nederlands perspectief van WO2 te zien. Bedankt voor de video. Dooie!

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt!

[@daveanderson3805]

Brilliant! I have been looking forward to this

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, hope you'll like it.

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Once again a grait vid man! Thanks! T.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you!

[@happysawfish]

Wild Weasel - maybe Papa T was a Thud driver dodging those flying telephone poles ??!

[@misterbacon4933]

A very good and balanced analyses and shows the grey area of choosing sides.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks, hope you'll like the future episodes also.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your compliment also.

[@Rvh1]

Im Afrikaans and I perfectly understood your Dutch

[@HistoryHustle]

Cool! 🇳🇱

[@Rvh1]

@@HistoryHustle 🇱🇺👌🇿🇦

[@willemdebatavier7485]

Excellent presentation! You are capable of keeping a students interest, instead of the boring, dull stuff offered in most schools. Went to a catholic school only for boys. Teacher was a catholic friar(we called him "Broeder") kept every 45 min session of Vaderlandse Geschienenis interesting and the result was that it created a feeling of patriotism in the student. When asked, I always felt proud to say "I am Dutch".

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing William. I'm glad you liked the video as well!

[@davidward3848]

A video on Leon Degrelle would be fascinating. Not a lot of people talk about him, but his story is an epic. At the very least a video about the walloon legion.

[@HistoryHustle]

At the very least. Well the Walloon Legion will be covered but not anytime soon.

[@neilwhitaker6284]

I have just about finished his memoire "The Eastern Front" I am at the point where the Ardennes offensive has failed very close to the end. It is a fantastic book.

[@Paul6851ino]

Great channel!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks

[@bomberthebeast7771]

Yay! Another video!!!

[@HistoryHustle]

This Saturday it will be viewable.

[@GarfieldRex]

Subscribed a few weeks ago, at 11k, now it's 14k. So happy for this channel 👌 by the way, just read History with Hilbert will make a podcast, he's also Dutch, should talk to him to make a WW1 or WW2 session in the future . I'm a poor guy from Latin America, but can give you blessings :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your kind message. Hope you keep enjoying the video's of this channel. HwH is a great channel as well.

[@JimmyStiffFingers]

Goeie video. Veel van geleerd.

[@HistoryHustle]

Dank voor het kijken.

[@stiliangeorgiev8771]

Great video lad!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@donohoe71]

I've seen a few videos, which were very good but struggled with your accent. This, is different quality. Excellent production and I'm pleased to say I've adapted to your accent (your English is excellent) really interesting information surrounding WWII thank you. And I've subscribed

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks, Ethan. Nice to read and welcome to the channel. I try to improve my accent!

[@donohoe71]

@@HistoryHustle no! Your accent is fine, it's my Mancunian ears. Please don't take it as a criticism at all and Happy New Year my friend

[@clared1996]

Yes I struggled at first but you get used to the accent.

[@the1ghost764]

I really enjoy 😉 this Guy good sense of humor. He makes history very interesting 🧐.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks!

[@avl3r154]

Grear video, thank you !

[@HistoryHustle]

Great! Also check out the follow-up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4mvm4WtfKyrarc

[@avl3r154]

@@HistoryHustle your video about the formation of Yugoslvia is even better, the fact you mention the Balkan wars which took place before the WWI can help to understand the crazy violence in this part of Europe, including not just Yugoslavia but the whole Balkans Peninsula. It is impossible for a territory to leave the poverty behind with so many wars and so much violence. Very appreciated your summaries, I like them a lot. Thanks

[@ThePanzer6]

Very Good, well worth a watch

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@janvermeulen1557]

Hi, great vids so far. I watched quite a few so far. I was wondering could you do a video about Karel Doorman and the battle in the Java Zee. Or about the invasion of Japan in Indonesia?

[@HistoryHustle]

Already made, see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXvLfKeuZriFpNk

[@janvermeulen1557]

@@HistoryHustle Super die had ik gemist :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Geen probleem, enjoy!

Als je dat wat vindt, is Drachinifel misschien ook iets voor je? Hij is een Engels marine historicus die video's maakt over individuele schepen, zeeslagen en urenlange 'Drydocks' doet waarin hij vragen beantwoordt. Heeft nogal een andere invalshoek. Hij heeft o.a. de Java gedaan, waarin de slag in de Javazee ook ter sprake kwam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z56UXmqNaLurrNE En de Zeven Provinciën/Soerabaja kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3KYepVjZtmrqcU

[@marius72za]

Baie dankie vir n heel interresante video. Wat ek interresant vind is dat Paul Kruger en die term “Alles sal regkom” gebruik was deur die SS vir werwing.

[@HistoryHustle]

Wist ik niet, dank voor het delen!

[@igorbrille8222]

En die term was geskyf in afrikaans nie in hollands nie.Ook is Oom Kruger se hoofd afgebeeld op die poster bo die SS soldate. 'Strijd mee tegen het Bolsjewisme in de Waffen SS'

[@dickvansteijn4115]

@@igorbrille8222 Weer wat geleerd.

[@AchilleusBC]

Top man! 👍🏻

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt!

[@JDSFLA]

Interesting and thought-provoking video.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for replying.

[@thombrouwer633]

Thank you for this more nuanced approach to this topic. Groeten uit Brabant

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt, Thom! Groeten uit Utrecht.

[@ABEL85ky]

I've been wondering this for a long time. Thank you so much. How do you think the Dutch felt about these men who fought against the Soviet Union when the cold war really swung in to motion?

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Abel. The SS men who returned were seen as traitors. Later some served in the Korean War. I'll talk about all this future video's.

[@ABEL85ky]

@@HistoryHustle Alrighty then. Keep up the great work 👏

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@bertm8621]

Super uitgelegd, Stefan. Onze jeugd weet hier zo weinig tot niets van. Ga zo door! Ik vraag mij af of je deze onderwerpen ook op de school mag overbrengen.

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt en jazeker Bert, in mijn lessen heb ik het hier ook over. Trek ik in de klas een SS-uniform aan? Nee, het heeft z'n grenzen.

[@FreekZoontjes]

Het merendeel van de Nederlandse bevolking weet slechts vrij weinig over Nederlanders in Duitse krijgsdienst tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog in het algemeen. Het zou opzich wel meer in het onderwijs onderwezen worden, helemaal omdat het een redelijk grote groep Nederlanders is geweest, dus men kan er niet omheen draaien.

[@HistoryHustle]

Klopt. Ik laat vaak een deel van de documentaire Zwarte Soldaten zien.

[@FreekZoontjes]

@@HistoryHustle Misschien is het ook interessant om aan scholieren documentaires over de Vlaamse vrijwilligers in de Waffen-SS te laten zien. Deze staan gewoon op KZbin. Naar mijn mening zijn deze beter dan de documentaire 'Zwarte Soldaten', die ook - gelukkig - volledig op KZbin staat.

[@Panzerreich]

I LOVE your channel. Best WWII channel.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks, Carlton. Glad you enjoy!

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

Great video. Only time I had seen Dutch Waffen-SS soldiers was in "Division´s Men" which accounted Finnish volunteers in Wiking, before the formation of Finnish battalion. They served as mixed unit.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@shergy1000]

There was a Dutch SS Division from Nov 1941.It was named 23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nederland

[@semkoops]

Jan Montyn from Schoonhoven also joined the Waffen-SS (*edit: he actually joined the Kriegsmarine) mostly because of his strict Dutch Reformed background which he wanted to escape from. Good episode!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing, Sem. Interesting.

[@FreekZoontjes]

@Sem Koops Jan Montyn had first joined the Kriegsmarine before he enlisted for the Waffen-SS. He merely fought in the Courland Pocket and Pommeria.

[@chinghue]

@@HistoryHustle it's a very good book

[@erikvandoorn1674]

I am pretty sure Jan Montyn came from Oudewater.

[@semkoops]

@@erikvandoorn1674 Oh yeah that's right. Oudewater!

[@jasonsabourin2275]

Great points.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@patrickf2671]

Very good video.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@ltravail]

It's beautiful how you so colorfully humanize the ordinary people caught up in the monumental events of the WW2 era. People today look back upon those people with disdain for their ignorance. Actually, it's the people of today looking back on events of the past through the rose-colored glasses of prosperity and plenty who are the ignorant ones! This channel should grow by leaps and bounds. It's that good!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply. Feel free to share this content of course :)

[@psychoaiko666]

My (biologic) Dutch grandpa was one of the Hitler fanboys, never part of the NSB, as they were a bunch of cowardice idiots according to him. He was an officer of an Artillerie Speetrupp (artillery spotters) in the Totenkopf division. His unit consisted mostly of Finnish volunteers. At night they would often cross the lines over the Russians armed only with their knives/bayonets/daggers, to kill Russian soldiers in their sleep. He was lucky in that he suffered a shrapnel wound to the leg and was sent a hospital back home shortly before the front finally collapsed. So he never went into Russian captivity. As part of his punishment he was sent to the mines. After his penal time was over he could have made promotion, but he felt he was a soldier and thus too good for ordinary civilian life. Once my grandma found out about his past she immediately divorced him (which was still very controversial at the time), as her family was in the resistance. My German grandfather went into hiding, because he did not agree with the Nazis and most definitely didn't want to serve that state. He lost his entire family in an accidental bombing. In an effort to keep their damaged plane in the air an American bomber crew ditched their payload, which unfortunately landed on a farmhouse where his family had joined together for a celebration. After the war the family who hid him adopted him as an adult, but he kept his surname.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing, very interesting to read. Did you met your (biologic) Dutch grandpa? If so, what did he tell you about his experiences?

[@psychoaiko666]

@@HistoryHustle he never said anything bad about that time, never any hardships. I think he highly romanticized his time in. At some point he moved to Grefrath-Oedt, apparently a lot of former ss did. He spent his life there building models of the German vehicles used, with all kinds of field modifications. I think he kept longing to go back.

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting, thanks for sharing again.

[@psychoaiko666]

@@HistoryHustle no problem;)

[@matthewmeuleman3369]

@@psychoaiko666 do you know anything about the Nazis attempting to blow the lid of pedophilia back in the late 30's? That in itself could have earned a man undying loyalty. I read something about it after finding out about anti-fascist movements and pedophilia. I think it was in 1937.

[@osmanakkus1403]

i love the dutch speaking part. great content

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@pdb1565]

Heel gaaf gedaan! Geabonneerd 👍🏻

[@HistoryHustle]

Leuk Pieter. Welkom op het kanaal.

[@happysawfish]

Stefan you do a great job! Question: what can we tell people in US who want to erase history? To learn not to fall into traps of oppression by a government - or mob rule.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks and yes, something like that. I talk about the discussion in the Netherlands. Perhaps you can spot parallels. Lemme know what you think of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXnFhqSfZrKJbc0

[@waterheaterservices]

Obamaism is a plague.

[@jasonsabourin2275]

Tell them to read history books till they come to their senses, and if that doesn't work Bonk them over the head with One of the Books....... If I recall correctly "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" would be big enough. P.S. If you need a hand get back to me, I live in N. England.

[@dalvik4162]

Majority of European nations had men in the SS on the eastern front, like the British free corpse etc.

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, even the British, but this unit had only a handful of man.

[@kjragg1099]

I remember reading about that unit. A crazy fact is that one of the men in that unit called Reginald Pleasants, who was a boxer, ended up in the Vorkuta gulag after the war. He definitely paid the price for treason

[@JohnDought]

Bedankt! Voor dit antwoord! Mooie kleding stijl trouwens ;)

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@mattpbent]

Very fair analysis

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@randyferwerda9153]

Very interesting, I believe you’re right. It is bizarre to have your King and Queen run away from the country. Rotterdam is so dang nice though. I just know in my Church they did there best sending messages for all the members to leave the Netherlands because they said their lives are in danger. Yet still, to leave the land that has been in the the family for generations and generations is something I could not do.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you for replying Randy. The moral side of the queen leaving the country is still debated on till this day. I can understand people who say she shouldn't have left. Personally I have a more pragmatic view. From a distance Queen Wilhelmina was able to put in her effort for the Dutch people by encouraging radio broadcasts from England.

[@michelbeauloye4269]

@@HistoryHustle In Belgium, the king Léopold III remained in his country to finally become a prisonner of the Nazis. He was later on blamed for this, which created a deep crisis in Belgium between the Flemich and the Walloons, between the catholics and the socialists.

[@grzegorzrozynski8659]

I don't blame your queen. Perhaps she could do something good running a govt. in exile. I wonder how many volounteers returned home and how they were treated.

[@bona_374-7]

👍👍👍👍👍 i love this channel from indonesia 😗

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your comment! :)

[@bona_374-7]

@@HistoryHustle hey I just want to give advice, what if this channel discusses the spanish war of independence

[@HistoryHustle]

@@bona_374-7 I know the Spanish Civil War, but not the Spanish war of independence to be honest...

[@Airborne637]

Excuse me, Why is there USSR Flag on your logo? Are you Communist?

[@cherrywaffle2267]

@@Airborne637 "Are you a communist?" Bruh

[@jaimejaime2930]

Your vids are great

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks!

[@luispalou217]

Excellent video 👍 I liked it

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Luis. Don't forget to check part II. Right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4mvm4WtfKyrarc

[@paulkaptein1609]

After the war, our home was a virtual "Casa Blanca" of refugees from many countries. A guest who lived in our house for a time was one of the kindest gentleman i have ever met. He was a shaking alcoholic who was always hiding bottles in the woods. He would line his shoes with newspaper to absorb the blood of his lifelong frostbite. To hear his narrative, he never wanted to serve in the SS. As a top athlete, he had been pressured by his friends and community to join and lead the youth movement. After accepting an award at a rally and shaking Hitler's hand, he told his parents how the man frightened him terribly. As an elite commando, he helped capture Mussolini from his mountain top confinement. Later, to keep from freezing to death, he dropped his weapon and walked out undetected as a single individual in the night to escape the siege of Stalingrad. Arme man. Hij was, natuurlijk, a victim of circumstances. An innocent participant. Vind je niet?

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting, thanks for sharing. Can't say to what extent the Netherlands was a "Casa Blanca" of refugees from many countries. Or are you referring to today? Can't say that either, since looking at the numbers Germany of today is more as such but that's another topic.

[@unknownip6741]

@@HistoryHustle i think he meant it literally. As he talked about someone living in their house.

[@paulkaptein1609]

My parents, in debt, moved to New York after my father got back from Indonesia. Other Nederlandse families followed us. Our home became a virtual "Casa Blanca" of similar war refugees. For a time, the SS commando and his wife, a German opera singer, rented half of our house. We also had French and even Egyptian and Arabian room renters who became lifelong friends. Our neighbors were an extended family of Germans from the war. Wolfgang had jumped the Berlin Wall as it was being built. Monthly parties at our house were colorful events full of stories and songs around the piano, and sometimes the accordian. Really appreciate the videos, viewer comments, and this bit of dialogue. Thank you.

[@HistoryHustle]

I understand now, thanks for sharing!

[@66kbm]

I could sit down and listen to you for hours, i live in Soest, if you come this way, let me know. And i am English.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks! What brought you to Soest?

[@menschmaschine-2483]

@@HistoryHustle perhaps the military. There are several british military bases in western Germany.

[@arichster]

I get the catchiness of your history hustle name and I appreciate how you do history down and dirty, not in some lofty way. But you are so far above the hussler nickname. You bring the nitty gritty of History to people at such an important time in the history of the world when people need to learn from history, not repeat it's mistakes. I sometimes feel that as a minority, as a Jew, it's so important for us to understand ourselves as societies. But it is equally important for everyone to understand, to appreciate the impact of our decisions and actions and the impact of our decisions not to act. Keep on with your amazing great work. It's clear that history isn't just your work, it's your passion and mission.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply.

[@ninaa4192]

Awesome video about a topic in history that isn't talked about enough. I'd love to see you cover some Soviet history (idk if you have ready or not lol), like maybe Soviet soldiers on the Eastern Front or in Berlin.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. And you're in luck because this Summer several video's about the start of the Eastern Front will be released. I actually already made a video about the end of the Eastern Front. Have you seen it? Check: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpm9pZR8iN2ie80

[@ninaa4192]

@@HistoryHustle Yay, seriously looking forwards to those! No, I haven't seen that other vid of yours, but I'm going to watch it right now!

[@HistoryHustle]

Great!

[@TurquazCannabiz]

Wauw serieus Stefan, heb tot nu toe nog niet zulke kwalitatief hoogwaardige producten gezien van een Nederlandse KZbinr. Bedankt voor het belichten van dit (naar mijn mening) zeer onderbelichte onderwerp. En dat zeg ik als Turkse Nederlander.

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt voor je reactie. Ben benieuwd of je ook al het vervolg hebt gezien. Die is hier te vinden: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4mvm4WtfKyrarc In december komt waarschijnlijk deel 3!

[@TurquazCannabiz]

@@HistoryHustle Dankjewel, ik ga hem nu kijken!

[@HistoryHustle]

Top!

[@Bigsky1991]

Of the two Dutch SS ( and the two Belgian SS Volunteers that I knew personally... Remi Schrijnen and Leon Degrelle) they all said in various ways that the reason they joined was(at first) being purely convinced of ultimate German victory and they wanted to be on the winning side. The Dutch guys also said that Holland suffered under German occupation .. so better food and adventure motivated them.

[@HistoryHustle]

You spoke to Degrelle? What kind of person was he. Love to know more about your experiences with him. Feel free to elaborate.

[@Bigsky1991]

@History Hustle I met Degrelle in Spain in the late 80s through my membership in the HIAG and OdR. We spoke only two hours, but it was pleasant and open. I wish I had videotaped it but video cameras back then were huge. I ended up with 3 nice signed Knights Cross photos and a firm handshake and a hug. My German wife was speechless when he told us that his Construction and Engineering company built the US Air Force base in Rota Spain!

[@HistoryHustle]

Must've been an interesting meeting. Thanks for sharing.

[@neilwhitaker6284]

@@Bigsky1991 That is cool you met him. In his memoir he states fighting against Bolshevism and protecting or fighting for Europe and European values for his and many SS Wallonien volunteers. He was more of a traditionalist monarchist than fascist but I got the impression he felt the German way at the time was much closer to his own worldview.

[@Traveller2016]

Stefan, ik vind je kanaal geweldig! Helaas was mijn vader, geboren 1925, gemotiveerd door anti-communisme ook aan het oost-front terecht gekomen. Waarschijnlijk in 43. Hij sprak er nooit over eigenlijk. Maar hij had de tattoage in zijn oksel en kwam jaren later na de oorlog terug in NL. Waarschijnlijk krijgsgevangene geweest of gedeserteerd c.q. gevlucht. We weten ook niet of hij NSKK of Waffen SS was maar hij had technische kennis opgebouwd daar. En ook vreselijke ervaringen dat hem levenslang nachtmerries gaf en mentaal kapot; PTSD. Ik wou dat ik meer wist van ervaringen en waar hij geweest was. Succes met je kanaal.

[@HistoryHustle]

Hallo daar, enorm bedankt voor je bericht. Wat heftig om te lezen. Ik kan me voorstellen dat opgroeien met een vader met PTSD erg moeilijk moet zijn geweest. De cultuur van niet praten is erg wijdverbreid helaas. Nogmaals, dank voor het delen.

[@Traveller2016]

@@HistoryHustle Ja Stefan, het was een ramp. Heel de familie leed eronder, geweld en zware criminaliteit . En tot op de dag van vandaag worstel ik ermee. Ik heb daardoor ook PTSD opgelopen. Zo zie dat WW2 tot op vandaag persoonlijk leed kan veroorzaken. Bedankt voor je reactie.

[@HistoryHustle]

Geen probleem. Sterkte daar!

[@mkooij]

Echt een fantastisch kanaal heb je. Zeer genuanceerd en onderzocht. Bovendien vertel je het heel interessant. Je doet me denken aan m'n oude geschiedenis leraar. Kon uren aan z'n lippen hangen

[@HistoryHustle]

Bedankt! Leuk om te lezen.

[@martijnverveer7720]

Your almost in sync with WWII in real time channel story on the Waffen SS.

[@HistoryHustle]

Funny coincidence.

[@Voyager1992]

Great video! I understand those young men joining, looking for adventure and something else in life. I would have done the same, not on or for political views.... but to live in the moment. To bad they got punished for it or looked at as traitors. Its always easy to judge an other for being different or the reason why.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your message!

[@kevinhekers2380]

He stefan great videos a bit off topic but could you perhaps do a video on dutch volenteers in ww1 if there where any

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you, Kevin. Netherlands WW1 will eventually be talked about but for now I don't have the proper sources and it's not on my to-do-soon list. Hope you understand! Keep an eye out for this channel because eventually it will be elaborated on.

[@haroldgodwinson832]

Well done.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@sneefels]

Excelent video, All the reasons you tell us I agree but you dont mention one reason: German and Dutsch culture were similar, so it is normal what happened. Apart from that this were difficult times and it is not fair to judge this men...Would love to see what we had done in such a situation.

[@HistoryHustle]

Altough the cultures were similar, many Dutch didn't looked at it this way. Still many don't. Although just returning from travel in Germany I do agree to a certain extent.

[@shankieinthefridge]

This was a good video, but I feel you should've pointed out more explicitly that post-war testaments of former Dutch SS soldiers should not be taken at face value. While anti-communism and adventurism were definitely important factors, Dutch SS veterans have had every social and legal incentive to obfuscate their darker intentions and actions.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply. Good point. I do cover more in it in the other videos. In case you're interested, I have a whole playlist about Dutch SS volunteers: kzbin.info/aero/PL_bcNuRxKtpH80zEWzRuvOVAc2C0M7C1V

[@tekay44]

they weren't going there for good reasons. at all.

[@acidsunrise]

Excellent.👍

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@DutchTunisian]

Interesting video i like it!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks, the sequel(s) will appear most likely after Summer.

[@daveanderson3805]

Well researched and insightful I have always thought that we shouldn't be so quick to condemn those men as traitors They all had their reasons Besides to be honest if I had been living in the Netherlands and had a choice between being conscripted into labour service in Germany or join the military I would have chosen the military Anyway well done you really should have more subscribers

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your message, Dave :)

[@zaniwoob]

All bad choices, the right thing to do was to flee from labour service and join the resistance. Like my grandfather did.

[@neilwhitaker6284]

@@zaniwoob the resistance were a bunch of bolshevik partisans. Because they were not in uniform the laws regarding PoWs were not in effect so they could be shot on sight. That would be a terrible decision. If one didn't agree with National Socialism the best bet would be to do as little as possible and just try to live as a civilian.

[@marctempler3250]

Very fair, which is why it was so excellent...as usual.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you Marc!

[@niklasciccone2724]

also cant wait fore the next video

[@HistoryHustle]

Might be after the Summer, but it will be there. I tell you: I have 4 other video's about this subject planned.

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

Could you do the invasion of Belgium 1940? Then you will complete your Benelux invasions and liberations series.

[@HistoryHustle]

Once I will visit Fort Eben-Emael I will do that one. This can mean next year. Please be patience.

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

@@HistoryHustle Sure. I keep saying not to annoy you, just to remind you. I get worried you might forget.

[@HistoryHustle]

Don't worry.