Liberation Route Marker 005: Jachtslot de Mookerheide: German meeting place

Jachtslot de Mookerheide: German meeting place
The Jachtslot de Mookerheide estate is very attractive, a fact already recognised at the beginning of the previous century by His Highness Prince Hendrik. In June 1940, the Germans seized this beautiful hunting lodge and turned it into the country retreat for the feared Waffen SS. Many Dutch volunteers of that period can talk about their experiences here, some with great difficulty.

The Jachtslot de Mookerheide stands glittering in the sun on summer days. The rustic property has a rich and illustrious history. In the early twentieth century, the woods around the castle were the scene of many hunting parties organized by His Royal Highness Prince Hendrik.

In June 1940, a month after the capitulation, Reich Commissioner Seyss-Inquart claimed the castle and it became a country residence of the dreaded Waffen-SS. Himmler himself is said to have visited here several times. In the Netherlands, some 22,000 volunteers served in this ruthless branch of the German

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar & Liberation Route Europe
• Photos: Arie van Wijngaarden