Dutch Cross of Resistance
Encyclopedia
The Verzetskruis 1940–1945 (English
: Cross of Resistance 1940–1945) is one of the highest possible decorations that exist within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
.
When the Netherlands were liberated in May 1945, the Dutch government in London
had succeeded in developing a good and balanced system of both military and civilian decorations. Apart from the already existing Military Order of William, new decorations aroused like the Bronze Lion, the Bronze Cross, the Cross of Merit and the Flyers Cross. Deeds of courage could be awarded in a very efficient way. However there was not a good decoration to award people of the resistance organisations
. In surrounding countries the governments had already succeeded in filling this gap. The Dutch government also tried to achieve this goal. Because there could not be found an agreement whether deeds of resistance could be awarded with an existing Military decoration
or there was to be developed a special decoration, time passed on.
Especially within the Dutch Resistance
there was a forceful movement against the decoration of resistance deeds. During war, every deed of resistance was thought to be equal to any other. However, other countries did decorate Dutch resistance people. A significant number of Dutch people were awarded decorations like the British King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom and the American Medal of Freedom
for their resistance work. Strengthened by this the Dutch government pushed on. Apart from that it was a personal wish of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands that resistance work should be decorated.
By Royal Decree of 3 May 1946 the Resistance Cross was instituted. The formal disruption was: The Bronze decoration of the Resistance Cross resembled a four armed cross, imbedded on a star of flames and covered with the Royal Crown. On the front one can find Saint George
(the Dutch resistance) fighting the dragon (the Germans
and Nazism
). On the arms of the cross are engraved the words TROUW TOT IN DEN DOOD, meaning "loyalty till death". On the obverse one can find a flaming sword with two broken chains. The ribbon is coloured in crimson red with two golden orange lines.
The decoration was awarded only 95 times, to the most brave of the resistance, and in almost all cases, 93 times posthumously. Most of the recipients were Dutch, but also some French and Belgians were honoured with the Cross of Resistance. The only (still) living recipient of the Cross of Resistance is Gerard Tieman, a member of the Dutch resistance during World War II while student then at a laboratory school. Once, the award was granted to a (never built) monument.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: Cross of Resistance 1940–1945) is one of the highest possible decorations that exist within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
.
When the Netherlands were liberated in May 1945, the Dutch government in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
had succeeded in developing a good and balanced system of both military and civilian decorations. Apart from the already existing Military Order of William, new decorations aroused like the Bronze Lion, the Bronze Cross, the Cross of Merit and the Flyers Cross. Deeds of courage could be awarded in a very efficient way. However there was not a good decoration to award people of the resistance organisations
Dutch resistance
Dutch resistance to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II can be mainly characterized by its prominent non-violence, summitting in over 300,000 people in hiding in the autumn of 1944, tended to by some 60,000 to 200,000 illegal landlords and caretakers and tolerated knowingly...
. In surrounding countries the governments had already succeeded in filling this gap. The Dutch government also tried to achieve this goal. Because there could not be found an agreement whether deeds of resistance could be awarded with an existing Military decoration
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
or there was to be developed a special decoration, time passed on.
Especially within the Dutch Resistance
Dutch resistance
Dutch resistance to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II can be mainly characterized by its prominent non-violence, summitting in over 300,000 people in hiding in the autumn of 1944, tended to by some 60,000 to 200,000 illegal landlords and caretakers and tolerated knowingly...
there was a forceful movement against the decoration of resistance deeds. During war, every deed of resistance was thought to be equal to any other. However, other countries did decorate Dutch resistance people. A significant number of Dutch people were awarded decorations like the British King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom and the American Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
for their resistance work. Strengthened by this the Dutch government pushed on. Apart from that it was a personal wish of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands that resistance work should be decorated.
By Royal Decree of 3 May 1946 the Resistance Cross was instituted. The formal disruption was: The Bronze decoration of the Resistance Cross resembled a four armed cross, imbedded on a star of flames and covered with the Royal Crown. On the front one can find Saint George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
(the Dutch resistance) fighting the dragon (the Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and Nazism
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
). On the arms of the cross are engraved the words TROUW TOT IN DEN DOOD, meaning "loyalty till death". On the obverse one can find a flaming sword with two broken chains. The ribbon is coloured in crimson red with two golden orange lines.
The decoration was awarded only 95 times, to the most brave of the resistance, and in almost all cases, 93 times posthumously. Most of the recipients were Dutch, but also some French and Belgians were honoured with the Cross of Resistance. The only (still) living recipient of the Cross of Resistance is Gerard Tieman, a member of the Dutch resistance during World War II while student then at a laboratory school. Once, the award was granted to a (never built) monument.