Hotel De Wereld (Hotel the World) Wageningen

Wageningen can rightly call itself the 'City of Liberation'. Canadian Lieutenant General Charles Foulkes had designated this city in the May days of 1945 to conduct capitulation negotiations with the Germans. Why was the choice for these historical actions at Wageningen.

In the first place, the German lines started just outside Wageningen. German generals did not have to drive long distances through liberated areas, with the risk of molestation.
Another important point: Wageningen was evacuated by order of the Germans. So there was no fear against the German negotiators on the part of the population either. When General Foulkes finally heard the name of hotel "De Wereld", it was clear to him that the Germans would capitulate here and nowhere else.

On Saturday morning 5 May he ordered the Germans to come to Wageningen with a delegation at 11 am. The chief of staff of the 25th German army, Lieutenant General Reichelt, appeared promptly and accompanied by an interpreter.

In "The World" he was received by Foulkes. HRH Prince Bernhard was also present at this preliminary discussion in his quality as commander of the Interior Forces.
Reichelt was ordered to return the same afternoon, accompanied by the commander of the 25th German army, General-Oberst Johannes Blaskowitz. The final capitulation negotiations took place at 4 pm on Saturday afternoon. Blaskowitz, accompanied by Reichelt and an interpreter, entered the main hall of "The World" through the then conservatory.
When asked by General Foulkes whether Blaskowitz was willing to capitulate, the German commander replied with "Jawohl".

This made the capitulation a fact and hotel "De Wereld" a monument.

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Source

• Text: Stichting Nationaal Erfgoed Hotel De Wereld
• Photos: Arjan Vrieze