Anton Mussert One of the founders of the National Socialist Movement (NSB) in the Netherlands Date of Birth: 11.05.1894 Country: Netherlands

Biography of Anton Mussert

Anton Mussert, one of the founders of the National Socialist Movement (NSB) in the Netherlands, was born in 1894 in Werkendam, North Brabant. From a young age, Anton showed an interest in technology and later decided to study civil engineering in Delft, becoming a hydro-technical engineer.

In the late 1920s, Mussert became politically active, supporting several far-right organizations. In December 1931, Mussert, along with Cornelis van Geelkerken, formed the National Socialist Movement (NSB), a pro-fascist organization. The NSB received strong support from Germany, which saw the Dutch as valuable possessors of Nordic blood.

After the occupation of the country in the summer of 1940, Mussert collaborated even more closely with the German National Socialists. His party, along with its military units, faithfully served fascist Germany. Mussert played a crucial role in the creation of the Dutch SS, known as the Nederlandsche SS. In December 1942, Hitler proclaimed Mussert the "Führer of the Dutch people".

After Germany's surrender, Anton Mussert was arrested and sentenced to death by firing squad for "betraying his homeland and colluding with the enemy". The sentence was carried out on May 7, 1946, in The Hague. It is known that Mussert's plea for clemency was rejected by Queen Wilhelmina.

According to some sources, despite his obvious guilt in collaborating with the spread of Nazism, Mussert and his followers did not provide assistance to German forces during their invasion of the Netherlands. It is also known that Mussert openly stated that neither he nor his followers would strike a blow against the Netherlands. Nevertheless, the accusation of "betraying his homeland and colluding with the enemy" remains valid.