Count Julius von Zech-Burkersroda
Encyclopedia
Julius von Zech-Burkersroda was the German ambassador to the Hague
at the start of World War II.
Zech-Burkersroda studied law at universities in Germany, and was commissioned as an officer in the cavalry. After twenty years' service in the diplomatic corps, he was appointed minister to the Hague in 1928 during the Weimar Republic
. He remained at the Hague for the next decade, during which Adolf Hitler
gained power in Germany.
In May 1940, Zech-Burkersroda was given the responsibility of passing the German declaration of war against the Netherlands to Dutch foreign minister
Eelco van Kleffens
. According to van Kleffens, Zech-Burkersroda was stunned speechless by the actions of the Nazis. On 7 June 1940, he retired, after the defeat of the Dutch. After the defeat of Nazi Germany
five years later, he was arrested by the Soviet occupation forces, and died shortly thereafter in Bautzen
.
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
at the start of World War II.
Zech-Burkersroda studied law at universities in Germany, and was commissioned as an officer in the cavalry. After twenty years' service in the diplomatic corps, he was appointed minister to the Hague in 1928 during the Weimar Republic
Weimar Republic
The Weimar Republic is the name given by historians to the parliamentary republic established in 1919 in Germany to replace the imperial form of government...
. He remained at the Hague for the next decade, during which Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
gained power in Germany.
In May 1940, Zech-Burkersroda was given the responsibility of passing the German declaration of war against the Netherlands to Dutch foreign minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Dutch ministry of foreign affairs: it is occupied with the external relations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including European cooperation and International development...
Eelco van Kleffens
Eelco van Kleffens
Eelco Nicolaas van Kleffens was a politician and diplomat of The Netherlands.Eelco van Kleffens descended from an old Frisian family of public servants....
. According to van Kleffens, Zech-Burkersroda was stunned speechless by the actions of the Nazis. On 7 June 1940, he retired, after the defeat of the Dutch. After the defeat of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
five years later, he was arrested by the Soviet occupation forces, and died shortly thereafter in Bautzen
Bautzen
Bautzen is a hill-top town in eastern Saxony, Germany, and administrative centre of the eponymous district. It is located on the Spree River. As of 2008, its population is 41,161...
.