Hotel de Wereld

Yesterday I had a unique experience. Or, rather, very unique.

I had the opportunity of dining in Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen with a business associate from Belgium. This hotel is unique for several reasons. First, it is the most luxurious restaurant I have ever dined in. The food was very delicious. Secondly, this hotel witnessed the capitulation negotiations between German and Canadian troops in May 1945.

The Canadian Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes entered into these negotiations with the German Lieutenant-General Reichelt at 11 AM on Saturday, May 5, 1945. His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard, Commander of the dutch military was also present during this preliminary meeting. During this meeting, the German officer was commanded to return in the afternoon, accompanied by General Johannes Blaskowitz, the commander of the 25th German army.

These two German officers, plus a translator, returned to Hotel De Wereld at four o’clock in the afternoon. After saluting each other, General Foulkes took his position on the large table and invited the German military officials to do the same. However, prior to entering into further negotiations, the General of the Canadian Liberation Forces noted the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard. Immediately the Germans rose and saluted the prince, who recognized their solute by waving his cigaret!

When General Foulkes asked General Blaskowitz if he was prepared to capitulate, the German answered with a curt: “Jawohl”. (Stichting Nationale Erfgoed Hotel de Wereld.  http://www.hotel-dewereld.nl/index_1.htm)

Holland was free.

Shalom

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