Herman Laatsman

Johan Herman Laatsman de Bailleul (14 September 1903, Ghent – 28 May 1976, Den Haag) was a Dutch diplomat who organized resistance networks during World War II. He was later made "Knight in the Order of Oranje-Nassau" by the Queen of the Netherlands for his heroic behaviour (Royal Decree 21-10-1946).

On 21 November 1946, Laatsman de Bailleul received from the President of the United States, Harry Truman, the Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm. The President's decision was motivated by "meritorious achievements" that helped the United States to defeat the Nazis. Between January 1943 and February 1944, Herman Laatsman showed exceptional abilities in commanding the French section of the Dutch-Paris network. Disregarding personal danger, he embarked on a "self-imposed mission with outstanding success". He enabled the escape of at least 112 Allied fliers.

Herman Laastman was appointed to the Dutch Embassy of Paris on 16 September 1939. After the fall of France, the Netherlands Consulate ceased to exist and became a member of the "Dutch Section" of the Swedish Consulate. In October 1942, the Swedish Consul warned Laatsman that the German authorities refused to protect Dutch interests in France any further. The members of the Dutch Section were asked to return to the Netherlands.

When the German invaders occupied the Netherlands at the beginning of Second World War, its Government decided to continue the war against Germany in exile. On 13 May 1940, Queen Wilhelmina and her family arrived safely in England on HMS Codrington. The Dutch Government soon followed and formed a government in London. On the BBC, Queen Wilhelmina addressed messages twice a week to the Dutch people, asking them to be courageous and to fight an enemy whose objective was to reduce the Dutch people to slavery.

About 5.000 Dutch people were living in Paris at that time. Retirees needed their pensions to survive. Many other Dutch people fled from the Netherlands and traveled through France to join the Dutch fighters in England or to escape from religious persecution. Few of the Embassy staff remained in Paris and the staff was confronted with crucial choices: move to Vichy where the French legal government had relocated.

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