Amsterdam SS HQ

[Timo]

But that photo isn't the right building.

[HaEn]

I don't know, it's been a long time ago, but this does not look like a building in the Koningslaan. There was something with arches in de Lairesse Straat. But again, i could be wrong. HN.

[LEVE]

Haen, after more research I think you're correct. The picture I posted above was taken from Canadian Archives. It was 7 May 1945. In the archives it describs the building as the "SS Headquarters". There are three German Uniformed SS men standing on the balcony of the building. I'm sure the caption was due to the fact that there were these three men standing in view.

Apprently they were armed, very drunk and were wondering about their future. For some reason they decided to go out on the balacony and open fire on the crowd. Nineteen people were killed and several more wounded. The Canadian documentarian must have thought that this was the HQ due to this skrimish.

After reading more new sources on that day I think that this is the "Grote Club" which is on the corner of the Kalverstraat and the Dam.

So to make a long story short...it's my Error... and just goes to prove you can't believe everything you find on the Internet!

[Birgitte Heuschkel]

So to make a long story short...it's my Error... and just goes to prove you can't believe everything you find on the Internet!

This is soooo true. But thank you anyway!

[Peter J. Hertel]

This post is in response, with respect to Haen's post about recruiting offices.

There were eight offices located at the following addresses:

Amsterdam: Hotel Van Gelder, Damrak 34
Heerlen: Hotel Pommé, Stationstraat 17
Groningen: Kademarkt 23a
Arnhem: Hotel Keizerskroon, Markt 32
Breda: Boschstraat 67
Deventer: Hotel Parlia, Stationsplein
Den Haag: Koninginnegracht 22

The supreme SS authority in the Netherlands was HSSPF "Nordwest", SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und der Polizei Hans Albin Rauter, whose office was located in Den Haag, Am Plein 1.


Regards,

Peter J. Hertel

[HaEn]

Hi peter; The recruiting office was moved from Hotel van Gelder (don't know when) to the address on the corner of the Dam and Nieuwendijk.
Rauter moved his H.Q. later to Apeldoorn (closer to the heimat ?) Thanks for the oher info. Vr. Gr. HN.

[Peter J. Hertel]

Hello HaEn,

Actually, it was Sess-Inquart who was headquartered in Apeldoorn, while Rauter's headquarters were in Didam, at the time of his assassination attempt on 6 March 1945.

Source of information is from "After the Battle" number 56 - The Ambush of SS-General Rauter.

Regards

Peter J. Hertel

[Peter J. Hertel]

Hi HaEn,

Does this photo look familiar?

[Marcus]

Peter,

Interesting photo, thanks for sharing it.

/Marcus

[Peter J. Hertel]

You're welcome Marcus.



\\Peter

[Timo]

I think I know this location. I will make a short trip tomorrow to verify. Heck, I live in Amsterdam. It must be possible to find this building

[Birgitte Heuschkel]

Timo, if you can, and can find out some about the people who lived in it before the occupation, I'd be most grateful

[HaEn]

>> Does this photo look familiar? <<<

Yes, that's the one I remember, on the corner of de Dam and Nieuwendijk. The bureau was on the floor above the show windows.
Weird to see this after all those many years. Thanks. Vr.Gr. HN.

[laurens]

From a interesting topic, can you please tell me from wich magazine or book, this picture came from.

With regards,
Laurens

[HaEn]

Funny thing about the picture though; the eagle shown in the window is NOT an SS eagle, but a Wehrmacht. HN