PHILPS Century (end): how to survive in World War II

The two World War broke out, Holland Rotterdam was bombed by the Germans, almost razed to the ground. (source: Wikipedia)

With the radio to become an emerging business, PHILPS also holds this opportunity, in a large number of patents, and the competitor's concession authorization, become a world-class manufacturers, and has its own brand. Then, the Great Depression swept the world, World War II opened, PHILPS is facing another crisis.

The Second World War: tide ebb tide up

September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, the Second World War broke out.

As early as in the Second World War, Hitler launched a series of small-scale provocation to the surrounding countries, which makes the president of the financial affairs of the president, An Donghe, uneasy, they seem to smell the taste of another large-scale war. So, in the Frances planning, PHILPS Corporation from the birthplace of ANN Hefen transferred to the Caribbean Sea, Kingdom of the Netherlands colony Kuraso (Curacao), to maintain the company in Holland province; an important asset of the company, has been transferred to London and New York, the establishment of trust in management.

War broke out, Anton know young leaders to lead the company through another war, he needed to retire. Originally intended successor Fritz, at the age of 31 years old, still too young. Despite the regret, Anton still think Fritz can not carry the heavy responsibility in this era; he chose to become the successor of his son-in-law, the third president of PHILPS.

The first generation of "old boys" officially quit PHILPS.

In 1940, Frances think Germany will soon invade Holland, so he had most of the production equipment shipped overseas; in May 10th, the Nazi Blitzkrieg of Belgium and Holland, just one day, Holland.

Frances to an Hefen remaining assets transported to the west, ready to cross, but in the German Paratroopers monitoring, almost can't do anything. Finally, he can only hide some of the R & D equipment. Then on the 13, Anton couple, a family, a few important cadres and their families, to catch two Holland boats, under the escort fled to London, went to the United States asylum.

Left to take care of the factory and take care of employees, is the son of Anton Fritz.

Fritz's order was to keep the company alive during the Nazi occupation. In short, to protect the lives of employees, and protect his own life.

I don't know what kind of father let his son to stay in the face of war, I do not believe that the survival of enterprises will be more important than their life; regardless of the son in distress, aging father will experience the fleeing career, also makes us worry. This farewell, may be a farewell - I believe that this is a very difficult decision for Anton and Fritz.

The darkest hour, Anton left, Fritz was the one he left behind. And it is this hope, the preservation of the PHILPS, saved hundreds of lives, the preservation of the rare human brilliance in the dark.

Fritz list

The German tanks and infantry soon came to an Hefen. Fritz, the only member of the PHILPS family, was summoned to the Nazi commander to declare allegiance to marshal Hitler. Fritz did not resist.

Fritz assured the Nazi officer that the PHILPS factory would serve the marshal and continue to produce all kinds of bulbs, radios, vacuum tubes, and industrial supplies to the German army. The Nazi officer was pleased with Fritz's obedience.

It wasn't long before Fritz's factory was found by the Nazis with many Jewish workers. Is the implementation of ethnic cleansing in Nazi Germany, the 382 Jewish workers arrested, sent to the notorious camp ready to go. Fritz rushed to the Nazi camp, to convince Nazi officers: "exhaust all the skills, this group of Jewish workers than ordinary workers, they are highly skilled technical workers; if the factory without them, will fall into serious shut down. "

For the industrial production of the German utterly ignorant of Fritz's insistence, had to release these Jews; as the condition, Fritz must ensure that the material production line can operate smoothly, otherwise, be sent to the camp, will be Fritz himself.

In this way, PHILPS factories, employees, as well as Fritz himself, so in the Nazi rule insisted on coming over. It was not until 1943 that the factory was hit and riot, and Fritz was sent to a concentration camp for more than four months.

In an Hefen downtown bazaar, stands a statue of the old graceful bearing: Mr. Fritz, he had saved 382 Jewish lives during World War II

It's worth mentioning, of indomitable spirit, Fritz has managed to survive the camp of suffering, was released. Holland PHILPS company, also continue to stay afloat in the war.

May 5, 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender, the liberation of Holland.

PHILPS symbol and legend

The end of the war, the president of PHILPS Frances, Orton actively discussed overseas companies to move back to the safety Hefen details with the government of Holland. In the era of war, people miss the old things, they miss all can symbolize the prosperity of Holland