The Verzetskruis 1940–1945 (English: ''Cross of Resistance 1940–1945'') is a decoration for valour in the Netherlands. Instituted on May 3, 1946, it was awarded in recognition of the individual courage shown in resistance against the enemies of the Netherlands and for the maintenance of liberties. It is one of the highest decorations in the Netherlands. Before the Netherlands was liberated in May 1945, the Dutch government in London had developed a valid and balanced system of decorations, both civil and military. In addition to the existing

Military Order of William The Military William Order, or often named Military Order of William (Dutch: , abbreviation: MWO), is the oldest and highest honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is named after St. William of Gellone (755–814), the first Prince of Oran ...

, they were created new ones as the

Bronze Lion The Bronze Lion ( nl, Bronzen Leeuw) is a high Royal Dutch award, intended for servicemen who have shown extreme bravery and leadership in battle favouring The Netherlands; in some special cases it can be awarded to Dutch or foreign civilians. It ...

, the Bronze Cross, the Cross of Merit and the Cross of the Flyer. But there was no valid award to reward members of resistance organizations, while neighboring countries had already filled this gap. As it was not agreed that the acts of the Resistance could be rewarded with an existing military decoration, it was decided to create a specific one. During the war, each of the acts of Resistance was considered as good as any other. In addition, other countries had distinguished the Dutch resistance with decorations such as the British

King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom The King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom is a British medal for award to foreign nationals who aided the Allied effort during the Second World War. Eligibility Instituted on 23 August 1945, the medal was a reward to foreign nationals ...

or the American

Medal of Freedom The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States, along with the Congressional Gold Medal. It is an award bestowed by the president of the United States to recognize people who have made "an especially merit ...

. On the other hand, there was Queen Wilhelmine's personal wish that the work of the Resistance was to be rewarded. The cross was awarded in 2 formats: 60x36 mm (2,3x1,4 in) for survivors and 80x48 mm (3,1x1,8 in) for those who received it posthumously. It has been granted 95 times, 93 of them to deceased resistance workers (85 Dutch, 7 French, 2 Belgians and 1 to the Monument to the Jews killed during the

Holocaust The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was the genocide of European Jews during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe; a ...

Badge

A bronze cross on a flame star, and a royal crown on top. In the center is the image of Saint George (symbolizing the Dutch Resistance) killing the dragon (the Nazis). On the arms of the cross is the inscription "TROUW TOT IN DEN DOOD" (Loyal to death). On the reverse side, a flaming sword breaks a chain in two. It hangs from a crimson gallon, with an orange line at each edge.

Recipients

* Paul Guermonprez *

Walraven van Hall Walraven "Wally" van Hall (10 February 1906 – 12 February 1945) was a Dutch banker and resistance leader during the occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. He founded the bank of the Resistance, which was used to distribute funds to ...

* Bernardus IJzerdraat *

Gerrit Kastein Dr. Gerrit Willem Kastein (25 June 1910 - 21 February 1943) was a Dutch communist, neurologist and resistance fighter and leader during World War II. Early life Kastein was born in Zutphen, the eldest son of Albertus Gerhardus Kastein and Gerdin ...

* Denis Mesritz *

Hannie Schaft Jannetje Johanna (Jo) Schaft (16 September 1920 – 17 April 1945) was a Dutch resistance fighter during World War II. She became known as "the girl with the red hair" ( nl, text=het meisje met het rode haar, german: text=das Mädchen mit d ...

* Richard Schoemaker *

Benjamin Marius Telders Benjamin Marius Telders (19 March 1903 – 6 April 1945) was a professor of law at Leiden University. He is known for standing up for his belief in the rule of law and civil society during the German Occupation. From 1938 he became involved in ...

* :nl:Gerard Tieman (the only living recipient) *

Gerrit van der Veen Gerrit van der Veen (26 November 1902, Amsterdam — 10 June 1944, Overveen) was a Dutch sculptor. He was a member of the Dutch underground, which resisted the German occupation of Amsterdam during World War II. The historian Robert-Jan van Pe ...

* Mathilde Verspyck * Pierre Versteegh *

Gabrielle Weidner Gabrielle Weidner (Brussels, 17 August 1914 - Königsberg in der Neumark, 17 February 1945) was a Dutch resistance fighter playing an active role in the French Resistance during World War II. Early life Gabrielle Weidner was born in Brussels t ...

References

{{reflist Orders, decorations, and medals of the Netherlands Awards established in 1946 Dutch resistance 1946 establishments in the Netherlands

Badge

Recipients

See also

References