This story is about Ludwig...
...a man I have experienced too briefly.
I tell the story because that's all I can do...
...especially after how it turned out.
Ludwig left me something more important than the facts.
He was a man inextricably linked to the war.
He couldn't do anything about that. That's just how it was.
The first thing people get wrong about his story...
...is how it started.
Because it didn't start with this war.
But growing up as a child, in the border region...
...with two different nationalities.
And that is difficult, especially in wartime.
- I'm sure. She likes you. - Oh, I don't know.
Do not you dare?
No...
The war is over.
Your father, Ludwig...
Your father was wounded in the trenches.
- How bad is it? - He's alive, but it's serious.
Your father is a strong man.
Stupid war.
- Are you thinking about the war? - Oh...
You don't have to worry about that.
Soon the war will be over and Germany will win, dear Jutta.
Comrades, we have lost many people.
We are running low on supplies.
Today is our last chance. Our last chance to beat them.
Oberleutnant Mengelberg. Good to see you again.
I'm tired of this war. All that blood and mud.
Oberleutnant, The Flying Dutchman. Your leave has done you good.
Of course.
You haven't gotten much better in my absence.
I'm tired of all the dead comrades. I just want to go home.
Do what you are good at.
Get coffee before the Oberleutnant comes.
I want my normal life back.
And yes, not everyone will return today...
...but that is the price of victory.
To your health. I don't know how you keep your troops under control.
Waging war is different from running a barbershop in Dresden.
Stupid Dutchman. Don't forget your place.
Yes, you are a German cheese head. And now let's get started.
Yes.
For peace and homeland.
- Come on, comrades. - Come on.
- Good morning, Oberleutnant. - Good morning, guys.
Good to see you again. Healthy and cheerful.
Bad people always do well.
What are you doing? Are you new here?
Yes, Herr Oberleutnant. Shooter Stephan Arend.
- Was it for me? - Yes, Herr Oberleutnant.
Fine, get me some coffee.
Take cover.
Ludwig, Ludwig...
Ludwig... Ludwig, are you still alive?
To get up. Come on, go to your men.
They come from everywhere.
Firework. Take cover and shoot.
- Over here. - More ammunition, fast.
Andrew.
- We need heavier weapons. - I'll arrange it.
Call for backup immediately. To the trench.
They have an endless supply of cannon fodder.
No idea how they get all those people.
Hauptmann, I have lost many men.
Obersturmführer Schoonma from the Netherlands is visiting.
He is here because of the current situation.
Hail Hitler.
Herr Hauptmann, may I speak Dutch?
Go ahead.
Oberleutnant Mengelberg. Your patriotism is legendary.
An example for the entire Wehrmacht.
What am I saying, the great German Empire.
It's an honor to meet you.
Thank you, Obersturmführer.
Excuse me, I have to go over some things with my Oberleutnant.
Naturally. Hail Hitler.
Come on, Ludwig.
A German to be proud of in the Netherlands.
What did he say?
Ludwig, since the last attacks we have captured many people.
Lots of partisans.
I have received orders for you to execute them.
What? That's impossible?
Ludwig, you've been away too long to understand.
We're not the SS, are we?
Attack after attack we are losing people. Our people.
The commanders... in... Chief have decided to execute all partisans.
Karl Heinz, listen, we're not like that.
Ludwig, get your people and carry out this order.
Impressed.
Dad, I have a souvenir for you...
...so that you will remember us when you have to leave again.
We love you so much.
Hang in there, my son. We Germans must not give up.
We've done that once before, in 1918.
Hauptmann Wegman, we've reached that point.
Sturmführer? To you the honor.
The men I fought all died in vain.
Because cowardly leaders were too tired to continue fighting.
Docking.
In sight of victory. This time we won't give up, son.
What my homeland expects from me, I expect from myself.
Firework.
Wegman was ordered to shoot all partisans.
That comes from above.
Probably to scare the partisans.
So that's how deep we've sunk now. Only one thing matters to me.
That the war will be over as soon as possible and I can return to my family.
That's all that matters.
- We're all going home soon. - Who says that?
- The Führer. - The Führer.
Once the new weapons arrive, it will take another two, three weeks at most...
- ...and then we can go home. - Do you believe it?
We'll have to believe it.
Our Führer's wonder weapon. I don't know anything about that.
But here in the trench you are my miracle weapon.
So we drink to that.
- To victory. - Cheers.
On us.
Jan.
Sarah and Levi van Praag from Beilen.
These are the last ones I got through. The rest have been arrested.
Jan Wesseling. Welcome to our farm.
- This is my wife Fenna. - Nice to meet you.
- My son Hendrik. - Nice to meet you.
- And my daughter Maartje. - Maartje.
I'm leaving again.
Just keep quiet.
Maartje, get some bread and bacon from the kitchen.
They'll like that before they join the other two.
Do you think father would have found this a good hiding place?
Relax, it's me.
Zelda, Mindel...
...these are Mr. And Mrs. Levi and Sarah van Praag.
They will come and live here with you temporarily until the war is over.
Where are you from?
From Zwolle, young lady. And you, if I may ask?
Utrecht. The resistance got us here through the grapevine.
And your husband?
My father is dead.
He was shot dead by the Germans.
Thanks to him we are still here today.
Welcome to your new home.
Including... Housemates.
Zelda, would you mind explaining the rules?
Have a nice night, everyone.
Finally, the mail.
What else do you want?
I also have a letter for you.
'My son. It saddens me to have to inform you...
...that last night during a bombing...
...your Lena and Jutta died.'
'I would have preferred to tell you this in person...
...but circumstances force me to...
...have to report this sad news to you in writing.
Be strong, my son.'
- It's my wife. - I know.
And my daughter.
To your position.
Alarm.
Stay in position.
Take cover.
- Ludwig, we have to get out of here. - Continue.
More pressure forward.
- Watch out, behind you. - Come on, we have to move on.
Take this.
Ceasefire.
No, I will contact you. I'll let you know when I find it.
- Oberleutnant Mengelberg, where is he? - Over there.
Thank you.
- Andrew. - Herr Oberleutnant.
You saved me again.
You have to take better care of yourself.
And?
We are taken from the front to rest.
Where?
We are going to the Netherlands. Okay? Take care of yourself.
See you. Stay strong.
As long as that isn't a bad omen for our stay.
- Don't worry, I'll behave. - I hope so.
- Oberleutnant Mengelberg? - Here.
- Please. - Thank you.
Our new orders. Come on, let's go to our men.
I'm glad you're here.
Always at your disposal, Herr Hauptmann.
What was it like on the Eastern Front?
The Russians offered strong resistance. We were surrounded.
We were outnumbered, but we held out to the last man.
I've lost a lot of men. Look, a souvenir from the Eastern Front.
- Good. And now I'm here. - Fine, Oberleutnant.
I'm going to explain our situation in a moment.
Oh, there's the coffee.
Thank you. Go ahead.
- Real black coffee. - The remaining stock.
We're going to the command post soon.
Then I will show you the situation on the map.
- Fine. - Fine. If you want to follow me?
We move from here to here.
Go away for a moment, I have something to show you.
Yes, Herr Hauptmann.
Take a look.
This is the situation. Set up a defence post near the bridge.
The Führer wants the passage to Germany blocked.
There is a farm here. Go there with your company and set up defences.
The enemy is probably coming from the south and wants to take this bridge.
- No problem. We're going there. - Very good.
- Obersturmführer, what a coincidence. - Hail Hitler.
Herr Hauptmann? Phone from Berlin, it's urgent.
Excuse me, gentlemen. This is important.
Yes, Herr Hauptmann.
Survived the Eastern Front, I see?
I watched with great admiration how you fought there.
And soon it will start here, the Final Battle.
I can not wait.
Final battle?
That's far away, you know.
Do you doubt the strength of the great German Empire, Oberlieutenant?
Of course not.
I'm realistic, but my goal?
That is endurance.
This statement surprises me somewhat.
Your reputation belongs to a man of immense faith...
...in the power of the National Socialist ideal...
...and the power of the Wehrmacht.
My loyalty is not in question here.
Obersturmführer.
Come. Just call me Martin.
After all, we already know each other from the Eastern Front.
All right, Martin.
Speaking of the Eastern Front...
I enjoyed watching you finish off those Slavic pests.
If it were up to me...
...more people would be put against the wall here.
See you soon.
Ludwig.
Checkmate.
Yes Mindel, you have to practice more, because you will never win that way.
- Yes Yes. - Mum?
Hendrik cheats.
Why us? Just because we are Jewish?
What have we done?
Angered the wrong man? At least, that's what it seems like.
But aren't you afraid?
Anxious?
As long as my daughter is with me.
And you, don't you have children?
No, unfortunately we were not granted it.
I do have two nephews, my brother's children.
And where is your brother and his children?
They were arrested by the Germans three years ago.
We heard they were taken away by train...
...to a camp in Germany.
But when it's all over...
...we hope to be able to embrace them again.
I-I have to go.
I'll come back tomorrow morning to bring you breakfast.
Dad, Germans.
Hendrik, go to the people in hiding as soon as possible...
...and tell them to keep absolutely still.
Andreas, come over?
- Take care of the men. - I will.
- I'm going to the farmer. - Be careful.
We wait here.
What can I do for you?
- Oberleutnant Mengelberg. - Jan Wesseling.
Can I speak to you privately?
The Germans are here.
Whatever happens, keep quiet and don't come out under any circumstances.
The door must remain closed and the heater must be turned off.
Mum, I'm scared.
Oberlieutenant Mengelberg.
- Fenna Wesselink. - Nice to meet you.
- Have a seat. - Thank you.
- Can I offer you something to drink? - If you have coffee, please.
Mr. Mengelberg, what can I do for you?
We'll just wait until your wife comes back.
Thank you.
Have a seat.
I have been ordered to use this farm as an outpost.
You mean occupy?
And do you have any idea how long that will take?
I won't get in your way on the farm.
- Lie. - Oberleutenant Mengelberg.
We caught him outside.
- It's my son. - Calm down. There's nothing wrong.
At ease.
Thank you, Holger and Friedrich.
What were you doing out there so late?
You certainly weren't taking a walk in the woods, were you?
I often go out late at night to look for small game.
Our food supply is running low, you understand?
Poaching? In the dark?
Sheer nonsense.
What is going on?
Don't know. Something isn't right on that farm.
- What is it? - That farmer, I don't know.
Let's keep our eyes and ears open.
- Yes? - Understood.
Lord, thank you for these foods. Amen.
Amen.
Enjoy your meal.
And now, Jan?
They haven't eaten anything for 24 hours.
Those Germans are walking in the yard here and we can't go anywhere.
What if they come out of the hiding place?
They do not. They're not crazy.
When it starts to get dark, Hendrik will bring them food.
Are you completely screwed?
Risk our son's life?
Mum, enough.
The war is coming to an end and the gentleman...
...is bringing in even more people in hiding.
Mum, enough.
Let Dad tell his story.
Arguing won't get us anywhere.
Dad?
Well, I have an idea, but Maartje, I need you with it too.
Yes, Jan Wesseling. I don't know how things are going...
...but those people from the resistance...
...only worry about those people in the forest...
...but this has gone on long enough.
But what should we do? Should we let them starve?
We have no choice, Fenna. Only together can we get out of this.
We have to get through this...
...and that mutual bickering doesn't benefit anyone.
The Allies are about to liberate us.
Only together will we make it. We are Wesselings, don't forget that.
Say it's going to be okay, Jan.
Fenna, girl, it's going to be okay.
You guessed it.
Okay, Dad. Tell me, what should I do?
What happened, can I help you? Let me take a look.
I can not hear you.
Maartje.
Come on.
You, help.
Come on, Maartje.
Maybe we should take a look after all.
That farming family was arrested for the same money.
Then they would have been here a long time ago.
That's Hendrik.
I have food with me. I came as quickly as possible.
- What's it like out there? - Germans, everywhere.
They not only guard the farm, but the entire environment.
I have to get back as soon as possible.
Dad has indicated that you have to be careful with the food.
Of course I don't know when I'll be back.
Please, what would you like to have? Money?
- We can... - Shut up.
Then shoot. This is what you want. Right? Then shoot.
Please, for all of us.
Then shoot. And then it's finally over.
Here.
You guys just shoot.
Why don't you shoot?
Shoot.
Coward.
You. You've got me in a tough spot, little boy.
We're going back to the farm...
...and I'm going to make sure everything works out.
Walk ahead of me.
Come on.
Hiders? And a family? You're taking a risk, aren't you?
May I hear that from the mouth of a German.
You come here and march into the country with your tanks and guns.
Talk about courage.
Come on, let's have a drink first.
We cannot look at this situation soberly.
This war has far too many victims. I have lost everything.
My wife, my daughter.
No, it's been good.
Germany is going to lose the war.
And my men only want one thing. That's home.
They also have a family.
When the Allies come, we can only surrender.
I don't have to tell my men anything. I'll send them.
But you guys, you have to trust me.
- What did you receive from home? - A nice letter. Here, take a look.
- Good Lord. - That's a beautiful girl too.
Trust me, I'll show her how to deal with German soldiers.
- Where is that going, farmer? - I'm going to eat.
Without permission, peasant?
- Oberleutnant Mengelberg said... - Oberleutnant who?
Oberleutnant Mengelberg said it was allowed.
Becker, check that out.
You have a beautiful sister. Do you know that, farmer?
- I do not speak German very well. - Your German is good enough.
Can you put in a good word for me?
You benefit from it. We have chocolate and coffee.
- Becker? - Herr Oberleutnant,
I would like to report that...
- No contradiction. - Yes, Oberleutnant.
Hendrik can go wherever he wants. Did you understand that?
Yes, Herr Oberleutnant.
Excuse me, is there anything I can do for you?
Go back to Germany.
Shit Germans.
Stop, wait.
Maartje? Maartje, come. I need you inside.
I won't do anything to her.
Come in.
- Can I talk to you? - Go ahead.
Can that be done in private?
The Germans, on the farm. They are preparing for a defence.
The Allies need to know this.
There's something else...
No deal is being made here, that German can leave for all I care.
- Do you think I fall for sob stories? - Harm, I'll decide.
Let's at least hear what that guy has to say.
I know you made it right.
Evert and I will talk to that German.
I'm curious what that boss has to say.
Hendrik, I'm going to get some fresh air.
When you're done here, you come out too.
I'll be right there.
Mum, what are you going to do?
Save ourselves.
What are you doing?
Go back to the shelter.
Do you want to die?
Why?
What have you got there?
My daughter's scarf.
During my last leave...
...received from my daughter.
Nice.
My family was killed in a bombing.
I do not have anything anymore. Nothing.
I recognise it.
What do you mean, we have enough to eat, right?
Do I need to give some more loaves?
- No, I'll ask later tonight. - Okay.
Is that an engine?
Hendrik, take those things off the table. And Fenna, make some coffee.
And all inside.
- Where is Oberleutnant Mengelberg? - He's making his daily rounds.
Are you alone?
Ho ho, not so fast you.
If I am seen here with you, I will be executed.
That wouldn't look out of place on you. Fighting for Hitler as a Dutchman.
Traitor.
I'm Evert, this is Roelfsjan. What do you have to report?
I have a proposition.
I want to hand the farm over to the Allies.
- I want to prevent further bloodshed. - Stop your play.
You know you're going to lose.
Give me one reason not to shoot that bastard head of yours to pieces here.
Just shoot me in the head.
You are endangering the Wesseling family. I only want one thing.
- That my men survive the war. - How are you going to do that?
I'm going to send my men away from the farm.
And then? What are you going to do?
I surrender.
Go ahead. What do you expect from us?
That you are going to talk to the Allies.
And make my plans known.
Good. I know enough.
Walk the way you came from.
- Oberleutnant Mengelberg is here. - Oberleutnant, the SS is here.
- Where? - Inside.
Thank you.
Mengelberg.
- Heil Hitler, Obersturmführer. - Heil Hitler.
- How is it going? - Good.
I'm very happy to see you again. Flying Dutchman.
Where was I?
Oh yeah...
I was telling you that I just rounded up a hiding place nearby.
A few fewer Jews soon.
Oh yes, of course.
I also told this family that I am here to forage.
And after taking inventory, we noticed the horses here.
I have come to confiscate them for the German Empire.
Fighting is not good on an empty stomach.
Do you have the correct papers with you?
Paper?
Are we going to be formal?
In the Wehrmacht, these types of matters are handled in an orderly manner.
Orderly? Do you dare to arrive with orderly?
Your men are demotivated.
I'm not allowed to give you orders, but I want you to leave this farm.
And make sure you have the right papers.
Obersturmführer.
Good.
You get your papers. Flying Dutchman.
What's left of it.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Hail Hitler.
- Gentlemen, what are we going to do? - Get us to the leadership quickly.
We need help.
If you have a moment, I'll see what I can do for you.
I just hope that Roelfsjan is not arrested with the Jewish woman.
He wants to be the brave hero if necessary.
There are people in hiding and a farming family...
...who are currently in great danger.
We don't have a moment to lose.
Then explain it to me, come along.
I know what you're like, right? I also see that in our son.
All that hassle with the resistance...
...and bringing those people in hiding into the house.
You only see the romance of it.
And I? I'm sitting here at home with my nerves eating away at me.
I have heard his story and I am willing to help you.
- Fantastic. - But just be patient.
Amherst is about to begin.
Then I have a suitable team for your rescue operation.
Welcome, Your Royal Highness.
Attention.
At ease.
Welcome everyone.
The French are here for Operation Amherst,
the Belgians for Operation Larkswood.
I have Dutch guides who can take us to the people in hiding.
Make sure you are ready to go.
Will you save us from here?
My daughter deserves a free life.
Where is Mindel?
- He is sleeping. - No not.
Van Praag said she went outside to look for you. She's not there.
Halt. Show your papers, immediately.
- Where is Mindel? - Calm.
Take her with you. I'm going to look for her.
What do we have here? A beautiful, virginal woman.
Let her go.
Look what I found?
What is this about? Have you gone crazy?
Are you a traitor? I'm going to report you.
Staying here. Stay here, I tell you.
Is he dead?
Bring them back.
It's okay, Mindel.
Tell. What happened?
Ludwig killed one of his own men.
What are you saying?
He doesn't have them listed. That doesn't matter.
- They land here in three days. - To land?
His plan to let his men go will never work.
If there's an invasion, Ludwig needs to know.
You shut up, Hendrikje. You just go to that farm.
You're not telling that German anything at all, is that clear?
Hendrik says nothing.
However?
And now get out.
The laundry dries so badly here. It's still completely damp.
Yes, hanging outside is not an option now.
What are you doing, Mum?
You know that, saving ourselves.
I know quite well what kind of game you are playing.
Who says he can be trusted?
- What if he finds out? - Mindel.
Are you really in love with him?
It's about to start now, mate.
- Have you heard news on the radio? - No.
Just that we have to report to their command post.
- Are the men ready for that? - Yes.
- Would the liberation have begun? - But still far away.
- But yes, that is a good sign. - Yes.
Quick quick.
Wearing these armbands, we are fighters of the domestic armed forces.
If you are arrested, martial law applies.
Wear them, because without them you will be executed as a spy.
Everything has to go.
Leave nothing behind, everything must go.
Ludwig?
Good to see you. I just came from the front.
The enemy is putting pressure on our defence. You have to stop him.
Will I get reinforcements? Tanks and fighter planes?
You know I don't have one.
Is there another strategy? How should we stand?
I'm sending you the reserve battalions.
You'll have to make do with that, that's all I have.
- At your orders, Herr Hauptman. - Good. Good luck.
- I'm going to do my best. - Thank you, Oberleutnant.
No movement. Who are you?
We are your friends. We are also fighting the Germans.
- Are you from the resistance? - Yes, the Dutch resistance.
Who are you?
Tough fight. Two men were taken by the Germans.
The Germans have the upper hand.
Can you help us free our comrades?
He was in a battle with the Germans. They captured his men.
He is now asking us if we want to help free them.
We must report to the meeting point. I don't know if this is wise.
- We're going to help him. - Good, we'll help free your friends.
Excellent. Follow me. Forward.
Ludwig.
Martin.
To persevere.
You have to persevere.
Guys, I have bad news for you.
I have been ordered to hold out to the last man.
Unfortunately there are no fighter planes or tanks.
But we're not going to do that.
Come on, on the attack.
Come on guys, shoot. Get that officer.
Get that grenade. They're killing us here.
- We withdraw. - Herr Oberleutnant.
I will not tolerate contradiction.
Staying here is suicide.
There is no final victory. It's a lost cause.
The homeland still needs you.
Men, you have two hours to pack your things.
You will all receive a leave pass.
So guys, let's get started.
- Ludwig, you can't do this. - That goes for you too, Andreas.
- They are motivated. We'll make it. - No, Andreas.
Do you know what happens if they catch you?
Then you will be court-martialed.
Go.
All right, Oberleutnant.
They go on the run. Come on, shoot.
- Good trip. - I will miss you, Herr Oberleutnant.
Thank you.
Don't let them get to you.
Are you OK?
Yes it's going well.
Come on, let's go home.
New clothes.
Uncle Jan?
'Because cowardly leaders were too tired to continue fighting...
...in the sight of victory.'
Traitors.
So, who's in charge here?
- Lieutenant de Vries. - Menning, Roelfsjan Menning.
Lieutenant, Roelfsjan knows the way to the hiding place.
Great, show us the way to the people in hiding.
Where are we going?
Are you on holiday?
- No. Where are you going? - To the farm.
- I would not do that. - Why not?
The French are already there. There are too few of you.
Drive on.
What is going on?
- To the farm. Now. To ride. - Fast.
Ibrahim, do your job.
Roelfsjan, glad to see you. Ludwig is still there.
Come.
The Germans are coming. That SS man is also there.
Go inside, now.
Those leave passes are forged.
Traitor.
To the farm, right now.
Asshole.
Dad, the Germans are coming. It's that SS man. They are coming.
Get my uniform and a bottle of booze.
Jan, hang in there. I'm going to stop them.
Mother-in-law.
To the final victory, my dear.
To victory.
Ah, my dear.
Here with that bottle, have you gone completely crazy? That's my good gin.
Creepy Mother-in-Law.
So that is The Flying Dutchman.
Kiss my shoes. Now.
Should I give them a good cleaning? Come here, darlings.
Don't do that, that's the Oberleutnant.
Shut up.
You'll never do this to me again.
Get him.
Take him away. Hurry up.
You look so good, Mengelberg.
Once upon a time there was a
chicken who didn't have much to do
she laid another egg
and on Sunday also two
And small talk too. Flying Dutchman.
Traitor.
So, guys. Here's a special meal.
They're down here.
Hey, we did it. They are here to free you.
- Finally, it's over. - Finally.
Would this be sharp enough?
Doesn't bother me, Mother-in-law. Nothing.
What are you doing? Have you gone crazy? The Germans noticed this immediately.
Look, Mengelberg's fake leave passes. We can exploit that.
- Come along. Fast. - Then we'll win.
Medic.
Ibrahim...
Dirty coward.
Next time it will be a hit.
Andrew?
Andreas, why?
I've always been there for you, haven't I?
Always. Always my loyal friend.
And the final victory will never come again.
No, it won't come again.
Not a miracle weapon.
You are my miracle weapon. You always have been.
Andrew.
Drop that weapon, you dirty piece of shit.
Zelda?
Nobody wants people like you.
Mengelberg.
Ludwig.
Zelda.
Come on, Zelda, we agreed on this.
Zelda?
In a war you sometimes make wrong choices.
My mother thought this would secure our future.
But I learned what evil was during the war.
I have learned that in your darkest days there will always be bright spots...
...of hope and love, and that everywhere in the world powers will arise...
...who will persecute people based on origin, religion, ideas, race.
But despite the fact that there will always be people who will not stand by...
...and will do something about it, even if it costs them their lives.
My father and Ludwig will always remember me...
...that you should never isolate people...
...and that you should always see the good in every person.
They inspired me to become a doctor and help people.