What happened to the Kaiser?

[Woodlouse2002]

After the First World War Kaiser Bill was forced out of Germany so he went to live out his days in Holland where he died in 1942.

What I want to know is how did the invading German Army of 1940 treat him?

[ozzy72]

I should imagine he was treated badly. I recall from my history lessons (a loooooooong time ago) that he sent a telegram of congratulations to Hitler which went straight in the bin along with a comment about losers.

[Woodlouse2002]

Those were my thoughts. But then again Hitler was trying to turn Germany back into the power it was before 1918 and the Kaiser was part of that. So I really couldn't assume what they'd do.

[Hagar]

Good one. I've never really thought about it.

I found this on a quick google. I'm sure you could find more details on the Web.

Despite the great push of Spring 1918, which nearly won the war for Germany, Germany's ability to win the war in 1918 collapsed, as U.S. involvement took on real form, and shortages at home in Germany spun out of control.  It became clear that Germany was set to lose the war.

With revolution spreading to Berlin, Wilhelm was forced to abdicate on 9 November 1918.  Chancellor Max von Baden pre-empted Wilhelm's decision by announcing his abdication to the public.  Wilhelm sought exile in Holland, where he lived for the rest of his life.  Holland refused to extradite Wilhelm as a war criminal to the Allies following the Armistice.

With Hitler's rise to power in 1933, Wilhelm harboured hopes of restoration of his throne, and made tentative representations to that effect; they came to naught.  Even so, Wilhelm supported German nationalism as personified by Hitler.

I'm sure as a supporter of the Hitler regime he would have been treated well enough by the occupying troops but probably conveniently left wherever he was. He would have been a comparatively old man when he died in 1941.

Kaiser Wilhelm lived in exile for 22 years. The Germans never wanted him back. He died on June 4, 1941 and he was buried in a small mausoleum on the lawn of Huis Doorn, a small castle he had bought in 1919.

He was buried there on purpose, because the Kaiser considered his Dutch castle and its precincts "German soil". His body must stay there, he ordered in his will, until in Germany the monarchy is restored.

[Felix/FFDS]

As mentioned, he was "politely ignored".

[Ijineda]

Kaiser Bill

Sounds a bit strange to me...how about Johannes Kennedy or Wilhelm Clinton...  ;D

[Hagar]

[quote]Sounds a bit strange to me...how about Johannes Kennedy or Wilhelm Clinton...

[Woodlouse2002]

[quote]

Sounds a bit strange to me...how about Johannes Kennedy or Wilhelm Clinton...