September 5, 1944 – “Mad Tuesday”.
Germans and NSB members flee Rotterdam in a hurry after rumors that the Allies are coming. They requisition almost everything that can move, including the truck of MJ van der Hoek Freight Transport & Removals from Raephorststraat 75 in Rotterdam North.

A few days later, when everything has calmed down again, Maarten van der Hoek receives a phone call from South Limburg, near Aachen, that his truck is there. Maarten goes to South Limburg and drives back to Rotterdam. Once there, he finds these Panzer Officiers Schirmmütze left in the car and a bronze NSDAP Dienstauszeichnung which he keeps as “compensation” and for surrender.

It's a beautiful story that comes up at least 1 x every year.

After a number of moves, during which the items kept coming up, the grandson of Maarten van der Hoek has decided to give these items with the accompanying story a nice place with a collector, so that everything is preserved and cannot be damaged or lost.

The late war Panzer Schirmmütze is a smaller size and in excellent condition, the piping is somewhat damaged here and there. The bronze Dienstauszeichnung is a so-called unmarked “Cupal” version.

In the photos, Maarten Jacobus (enlargement) and Aaltje van der Hoek (original photo) pose proudly in front of the truck in question, which still provided years of loyal service after the war.

A special piece of history from a turbulent period in September 1944 and a unique opportunity to get hold of these items that have never been with a collector before!