Izak Reijnders

Vocation

Traits

Dutch general. He was the son of a mayor. He followed the Higher Civil School (HBS) from 1891-1896, thereafter the Royal Military Academy (KMA) in Breda (1896-1899). From 1 November 1912 till 1 November 1915, he followed the for staff functions needed Hogere Krijgsschool in Den Haag. On 29 July 1899, he became 2nd Lieutenant; on 29 July 1903, 1st Lieutenant; on 1 September 1913 Captain; on 1 December 1925 Major; on 1 August 1928 Lieutenant-Colonel; on 1 November 1931 Colonel; on 1 November 1933 General Major; on 1 November 1935, Lieutenant-General and on 30 August 1938 General. From 1 November 1932 till 1 May 1934 he was an Inspector of the Infantry. From 1 May 1934 till 28 August 1939 Chef of the General Staff. From the day of the Dutch mobilisation at 28 August 1939 till his forced resignation on 6 February 1940, he was the Dutch Commander in Chief. The not always that tactful Rijnders had a conflict with the Minister of Defence Dijxhoorn concerning the strategy of the Dutch Defence. Dijxhoorn wanted to get rid of the critical general, who had little respect for politicians and approached the retired general H.G. Winkelman. When Winkelman, who had been a boss of Dijxhoorn during his years in the army, agreed, Dijxhoorn exulted "Hoera we hebben hem gestrikt!". On 30 January 1940, the Dutch prime minister De Geer called General Reijnders in his office and told him that Dijxhoorn had said that he would resign if Reijnders would remain Commander in Chief. De Geer preferred the combination Dijxhoorn- Winkelman and the next day Reijnders asked for a his dismissal. When he was officially dismissed on 6 February 1940 in Den Haag, all officers formed a guard of honor and applauded for their general. Personal He was the son of Izaäk Herman Reijnders (28 November 1838, Appingedam - 27 August 1925, Stadskanaal), mayor of Onstwedde (Stadskanaal) and Antje Meursinge (4 March 1837, Haaften - 29 October 1912, Stadskanaal). On 14 July 1908 he married in Meppel Maria Willemina Nysingh (4 February 1880, Meppel - 23 December 1959, Den Haag), daughter of the judge and 1st Parliament member Mr. Anthonij Ewoud Jan Nijsingh (11 April 1833, Assen - 15 April 1921, Meppel) and Hermina Tonckens (25 Nov 1840, Meppel- 12 November 1907, Meppel). Her grandfather Wyncko Johannes Tonckens (23 August 1804, De Wijk - 17 January 1875, Meppel) was also jurist and 1st Parliament member. They had one daughter. He died 21 December 1966 in Den Haag. Link to Dutch Wikipedia