Hendrik Elias

Hendrik Jozef Elias (12 June 1902 – 2 February 1973) was a Belgian politician and Flemish nationalist, notable as the leader of the Vlaams Nationaal Verbond between 1942 and 1944.[2] He joined the Flemish National Union (VNV) on its formation in 1933 and soon gained a reputation as a leading moderate in the party, despite expressing a strong personal admiration for Adolf Hitler.[2] He became leader of VNV in 1942, following the death of Staf Declercq, despite opposition of Gottlob Berger, who was suspicious of his views on keeping the Flemish distinct from the Germans.[3] Elias came into competition for support from the Germans with Jef van de Wiele, whose DeVlag movement was allowed to co-exist in occupied Flanders alongside the VNV.In public, he claimed a German victory was needed, supported recruiting for the Eastern Front, defended forced labor service in Germany and requisitions.
MachelenBelgiumBelgianFlemishnationalistVlaams Nationaal VerbondCatholic University of LeuvenUniversity of ParisUniversity of BonnFlemish National UnionBelgian Chamber of People's RepresentativesAdolf HitlerMayor of GhentFlandersNazi GermanycommonwealthStaf DeclercqGottlob BergerWaffen-SSHitler YouthLuftwaffeHeinrich HimmlerJef van de WieleCatholicismWorld War IIcommunistFrenchThe Patriotic TraitorsPhilip ReesBiographical Dictionary of the Extreme Right Since 1890Alfred Vanderstegeneffective mayor of GhentFascismNational LegionRexist PartyVerdinasoWalloon LegionFlemish LegionAlgemeene-SS VlaanderenGerman-Flemish Working GroupStaf De ClercqLéon DegrelleJean DenisJef FrançoisWard HermansPaul HoornaertRené LagrouVictor MatthysJosé StreelJoris Van SeverenRaymond De BeckerRobert PouletPierre DayeBelgium in World War IIFlamenpolitikPan-GermanismDietslandFlemish Movement