38 Victims: He Escaped the War—But Not Justice: Dutch Nazi Spy Waals

In May 1940, 8 months after the beginning of World War 2, the Netherlands was invaded by German forces, marking the beginning of a period of occupation that would reshape daily life across the country. This documentary explores the story of Anton van der Waals, a man whose actions reveal the complex and often hidden dimensions of life under occupation. Born in Rotterdam in 1912, van der Waals experienced a difficult early life marked by instability and personal setbacks. During the years leading up to the Second World War, he struggled to find direction, moving between jobs and personal relationships. These experiences would later influence the choices he made during one of the most turbulent periods in Dutch history. As the occupation took hold, resistance networks began to form across the Netherlands. These groups relied heavily on trust, secrecy, and cooperation. Van der Waals managed to gain access to these circles by presenting himself as a committed supporter of the resistance. At the same time, however, he established contact with German security services and began providing information about the very networks he had joined. Over time, his activities had far-reaching consequences for several resistance groups, illustrating the challenges faced by underground movements operating under constant pressure and uncertainty. His story highlights how deception and divided loyalties could influence the course of events during the war. After 1945, van der Waals attempted to redefine his position in the changing political landscape, but his wartime activities were eventually investigated. His trial brought renewed attention to the impact of collaboration and the difficulties of rebuilding trust in the aftermath of occupation. This film offers a measured and informative account of Anton van der Waals, placing his actions within the broader context of the German occupation of the Netherlands and the experience of resistance during the Second World War. Narrator: Marchand Steenkamp. Join World History channel and get access to benefits:    / @worldhistoryvideos   Disclaimer: All opinions and comments below are from members of the public and do not reflect the views of World History channel. We do not accept promoting violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on attributes such as: race, nationality, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation. World History has right to review the comments and delete them if they are deemed inappropriate. ► CLICK the SUBSCRIBE button for more interesting clips:    / @worldhistoryvideos   #AntonvanderWaals #worldwar2videos #secondworldwar #netherlandshistory #thirdreich #holocaustdocumentary #nazicollaborators #spy #dutchhistory #dutchresistance #ww2story #ww2documentary Anton van der Waals biography, Dutch resistance WW2, Battle of Netherlands, Dutch underground, Dutch resistance members, Dutch resistance to Nazism, Netherlands WW2, Holland WW2, Dutch WW2, Amsterdam WW2, Amsterdam World War 2, When did Germany invade Netherlands, When did Germany invade Holland, German occupation of the Netherlands, German occupation of Holland, Amsterdam during WWII, Amsterdam during WW2, World War 2 in the Netherlands, Nazi collaborators series,