Max Blokzijl
Encyclopedia
Marius Hugh Louis Wilhelm Blokzijl (20 December 1884-16 March 1946) was a Dutch
singer and journalist. During the German occupation of the Netherlands who was executed for his collaboration
with Nazi Germany
.
Born in Leeuwarden, he trained as journalist before taking employment with the liberal
Algemeen Handelsblad
in 1903. Appointed foreign correspondent for the paper in 1908 he remained in this role until 1913 when he was given the role of Berlin
correspondent. Blokzijl settled in Berlin in 1918, working for the German
press until 1940, whilst also serving as President of the Niederländischer Bund in Deutschland.
Although based outside the Netherlands Blokzijl, who had become a convinced Nazi
, joined the National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands
(NSB) in 1935. He returned to his homeland following the German invasion and became the propaganda
chief for the new NSB puppet regime. In February 1941 the NSB forcibly replaced Hendrikus Colijn
as editor of the Protestant newspaper De Standaard with Blokzijl, who held the title of General Secretary for Press Affairs for the party. In actual fact Blokzijl's role was much greater than his title implied as he was actually effective head of the press in the Netherlands. He also broadcast pro-Nazi shows on Radio Hilversum which were particularly noted for the strength of their anti-British sentiment
.
On the 16th March 1946 Blokzijl became the first Dutch collaborator to be executed, dying at Scheveningen.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
singer and journalist. During the German occupation of the Netherlands who was executed for his collaboration
Collaborationism
Collaborationism is cooperation with enemy forces against one's country. Legally, it may be considered as a form of treason. Collaborationism may be associated with criminal deeds in the service of the occupying power, which may include complicity with the occupying power in murder, persecutions,...
with 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...
.
Born in Leeuwarden, he trained as journalist before taking employment with the liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Algemeen Handelsblad
Algemeen Handelsblad
Algemeen Handelsblad was an influential Amsterdam-based liberal daily newspaper, founded in 1828 by J.W. van den Biesen. At the peak of its influence -- from the time of the Boer War, when it championed the Boer cause in South Africa, through World War I -- it was edited by Charles Boissevain.It...
in 1903. Appointed foreign correspondent for the paper in 1908 he remained in this role until 1913 when he was given the role of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
correspondent. Blokzijl settled in Berlin in 1918, working for the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
press until 1940, whilst also serving as President of the Niederländischer Bund in Deutschland.
Although based outside the Netherlands Blokzijl, who had become a convinced Nazi
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
, joined the National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands
National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands
The National Socialist Movement in the Netherlands was a Dutch fascist and later national socialist political party. As a parliamentary party participating in legislative elections, the NSB had some success during the 1930s...
(NSB) in 1935. He returned to his homeland following the German invasion and became the propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
chief for the new NSB puppet regime. In February 1941 the NSB forcibly replaced Hendrikus Colijn
Hendrikus Colijn
Hendrikus Colijn was a successful Dutch soldier, businessman and politician.-Early life:He was born in 1869 in the Haarlemmermeer to Antonie Colijn and Anna Verkuil, who had migrated to the Haarlemmermeer polder from the Land of Heusden and Altena for religious reasons...
as editor of the Protestant newspaper De Standaard with Blokzijl, who held the title of General Secretary for Press Affairs for the party. In actual fact Blokzijl's role was much greater than his title implied as he was actually effective head of the press in the Netherlands. He also broadcast pro-Nazi shows on Radio Hilversum which were particularly noted for the strength of their anti-British sentiment
Anti-British sentiment
Anti-British sentiment is prejudice, fear or hatred against the British Government, the culture or the people of the United Kingdom, or its Overseas territories.-Argentina:...
.
On the 16th March 1946 Blokzijl became the first Dutch collaborator to be executed, dying at Scheveningen.