Articles

Berchtesgaden (19 november 1940) : voorgeschiedenis, inhoud en resultaat

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Abstract

The leopoldistic version of the events before Berchtesgaden - politically the most important period in the Question Royale during the occupation - is from the start till the end historically not grounded.   The known facts prove that the King was absolutely not passive in political matters. He doesn't reject the proposal for a meeting with Hitler. Already on May 31 he declares to agree in principle to meet the Führer. On June 26 he again expresses this willingness. In October he sends his sister Marie-José, crownprincess of Italy, to Hitler, collecting the requested invitation for a meeting. The meeting Hitler-Leopold III at Berchtesgaden (November 19) reveals not only a humanitarian, but also an indeniable political character.
There is too great a difference between the leopoldistic version and the facts - as far as known at this moment and from limited sources.  One is inclined to ask oneself if the editors of the Whitebook (J. Pirenne, secretary of the King) and of the report of the Servais-commission, had knowledge of all the facts, which normally should have been at their disposal. If the answer is no, than one has to assume «a secret of the King».

How to Cite:

De Jonghe, A., (1978) “Berchtesgaden (19 november 1940) : voorgeschiedenis, inhoud en resultaat”, Res Publica 20(1), 41-54. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/rp.v20i1.20479