Unpublished Photo of Political Rivalry

Party struggle NSNAP in Rotterdam

In mid‑1941 there were frequent fierce confrontations between various groups over the question of who would be recognised by the German occupier as the only legitimate party. The NSB strongly opposed the Nederlandse Unie, which in a short time gained a great deal of support and sympathy from large parts of the Dutch population. The NSNAP was a much smaller party but sought confrontation with the NSB on many fronts, not only with propaganda but even in violent street fights. The NSNAP supported complete alignment with Nazi Germany and recognised Hitler as their head of state. In the summer of 1941, supporters of the NSNAP chalked pro‑German and anti‑NSB slogans in many places in The Hague. Even Anton Mussert personally was targeted.

These moments were captured by the NSB photographer Branse and finally submitted for review to the head of NSB propaganda, Ernst Voorhoeve.

Because Mussert was strongly opposed to any form of annexation of the Netherlands by the Germans, all these photos were logically rejected.

In the photo, WA men in Rotterdam are removing NSNAP posters from the walls. The location can be precisely determined by the street name sign “Lieve Verschuierstraat” in Rotterdam. He was a 17th‑century marine painter.

Two WA men are carrying a German bayonet. Behind the car, brooms are already standing against the wall, ready to paste new posters. The pasted V‑poster is severely damaged. A bystander watches from a window.

Exceptionally interesting document of the fierce party struggle!!

Beautiful large photo!!! 18 × 24 cm

Naturally never published.