Gerbrandi, Peter

Peter Gerbrandi was born in a small village near the town of Sneek in the province of Friesland . He graduated from the Free University in Amsterdam, worked as a lawyer. From 1920 to 1920 he was a deputy from Friesland in the House of Representatives . In August 1939, Gerbrandi became Minister of Justice in the government of Dirk Jan de Gera .

In May 1940, the Netherlands was occupied by Germany. Queen Wilhelmina and the government were evacuated to London. Prime Minister de Ger stood for a separate peace with Hitler . He was dismissed by the queen, returned to the Netherlands and went on to cooperate with the invaders. The exiled government was led by Herbrandi, who also became Minister for Colonial Affairs. On his initiative, the work of Radio Orange began broadcasting on the occupied territory. The government of Herbrandi included representatives of all the main political forces of the country - the Anti - Revolutionary Party , the Christian Historical Union , the Roman Catholic State Party and the Social Democratic Labor Party . In early 1945, the Social Democrats seceded from the government. After the liberation of part of the Netherlands in the first months of 1945, the government moved to the city of Osterwijk ( North Brabant ). Gerbrandi resigned after the complete liberation of the country.

After the resignation, Gerbrandi dealt with the problems of the colonies, criticized the position of the Dutch authorities on the Indonesian issue. He supported the creation of the South Moluccan Republic . In 1948-1959 was again a deputy of the House of Representatives. He died in The Hague in 1961.

The Tower of Herbrandi is named in his honor.