Angelo van Noord
Angelo van Noord | |
|---|---|
 Angelo van Noord | |
| Born | Angelo van Noord I 29 January 1905 Rotterdam, The Netherlands |
| Other names | De Grote Tering (The Big Tering) |
| Occupation | Military officer |
| Years active | 1934–1945 |
| Era | Vader Era, Middenvader Era, Vriend Era |
| Known for |
|
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Spouse | Eva Isolde-Noord |
| Children | Angelo Noord; Evert Angedrik Noord |
| Parent | Julien van Noord |
| Awards |
|
Angelo van Noord I (born 29 January 1905) is a German military officer who served in the Second World War associated with the Noord family. He held the rank of Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) by the end of his active service.
He is the father of Angelo Noord and Evert Angedrik Noord. In later notes, he is described as frequently using the word “Tering” in daily speech.
Early life
[edit | edit source]Angelo van Noord was born on 29 January 1905 in Rotterdam. He is recorded as the son of Julien van Noord. Biographical notes describe him as living in Rotterdam for extended periods and maintaining a strong personal preference for Germany.
Military career
[edit | edit source]Early service and training (1934–1939)
[edit | edit source]On 1 November 1934, van Noord began his military career by joining the Wehrmacht. From 1 November 1934 to 30 October 1935, he received training with Kraftfahr-Abteilung Cannstadt, serving in the Kradschützen-Kompanie under Hauptmann Erdmann.
From 1 November 1935 to 30 May 1936, he remained in the same unit, which from November was designated Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5. Stationed in Kornwestheim, he progressed through the enlisted and non-commissioned ranks, including promotions to Gefreiter, Unteroffizier, and Feldwebel. During this period, he worked as an Ausbilder (trainer). He continued in training and leadership assignments until the autumn of 1938 and was promoted to Leutnant.
Up to March 1940, he held duties including Zugführer (platoon leader), Kompanieführer (company leader), and staff roles within the unit, by then designated Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5. The unit was part of the 2. Panzer-Division. In this formation, he participated in the invasion of Poland.
Transfer to Abwehr and special operations (1940)
[edit | edit source]At the end of March 1940, van Noord left the unit, which had taken positions in the Eifel, and transferred to the Abwehr. He travelled to a secret training camp near Asperden, arriving on 29 March 1940. He was assigned command of the 4. Kompanie of the newly formed Baulehr-Bataillon zur besonderen Verwendungen 800 (4./BauLehr-Btl.z.b.V.800).
Operation in the Netherlands (10 May 1940)
[edit | edit source]The company consisted of three large platoons and was tasked with securing several Dutch bridges over the Maas and the Maas–Waal Canal in advance of the German advance, with the aim of preventing their demolition.
To approach targets, platoons were divided into groups of about eight German soldiers, supplemented by several Dutch volunteers. These groups were intended to appear as civilian parties, railway workers, or Dutch military personnel using forged uniforms. The Dutch volunteers, often living and working in Germany, were recruited from the NSB-linked organisation known as “Sport en Spel”.
In the early morning of 10 May 1940, before a formal German declaration of war to the Netherlands, these groups crossed the border to secure bridges in North Brabant and Limburg. Van Noord led the assault on the railway bridge at Gennep. For this action, he received the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class and, on 24 June 1940, the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. During the operation he sustained a head injury and was briefly treated at a hospital in Bedburg-Hau (Kleve).
Brandenburg formation and Eastern Front service (1940–1943)
[edit | edit source]After the Western campaign, Baulehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800 was expanded into Lehr-Regiment "Brandenburg" z.b.V. 800, consisting of three battalions. Until 30 November 1941, van Noord, by then promoted to Hauptmann, served in roles that included temporary commander of the 2nd battalion during its formation, liaison officer, and company commander.
On 30 November 1941, he was appointed Bataillonskommandeur (battalion commander) of the 1st battalion. He held this position until March 1943, a period associated with promotion to Major. Records place him and his battalion in several combat areas on the Eastern Front, including Kursk, Voronezh, the Don region, the Caucasus, Crimea, and the Mius sector.
Division Brandenburg, Balkans and Romania (1943–1945)
[edit | edit source]In the period leading up to 13 October 1944, the regiment expanded into Division Brandenburg. During this phase, van Noord served as Regimentsführer connected to the 3rd and 1st Regiment “Brandenburg”. After promotion to Oberstleutnant and appointment as Regimentskommandeur, his service with the formation ended following an injury during fighting in Romania.
Operational locations recorded for this period include Greece (Thebes, Lamia, Leros, Samos, Aliartos), Yugoslavia (Šibenik, Zadar, Grahovo, Skradin), and Romania (Betschkerek). He remained in hospital care until March 1945, including treatment in Salzburg, and later stayed in Jugenheim, where he is noted as residing.
Final wartime posting (1945)
[edit | edit source]From March 1945 to 8 May 1945, van Noord served as a staff chief with the SS-Jagdverbände under SS-Ostubaf Skorzeny. On 8 May 1945, he destroyed his Soldbuch and obtained a forged Soldbuch under the name “Uwe Tering”, stating later that this was done to conceal his connection to the SS unit.
While travelling toward his family in Jugenheim, he was involved in a car accident and was hospitalised in Traunstein until July 1945. He was later released by American authorities under the false name “Uwe Tering”.
Postwar prosecution
[edit | edit source]From July 1945 to June 1946, van Noord lived under false identities, including “Emiel van Benda”. In June 1946, he was arrested in Annaberg (Austria) by CIC Hallein/Austria. He was imprisoned in Dachau on 1 February 1947 pending investigation.
Two requests for arrest and extradition were active: one from the Netherlands relating to violations of the laws of war connected to the Maas bridge raids of 10 May 1940, and one from Yugoslavia. In correspondence cited in later summaries, Yugoslav authorities described him as a lieutenant colonel and commander connected to the “Brandenburg” formation, which was referenced as “Panduren des Balkan”.
In October 1947, he was extradited to Dutch authorities. Notes from the same period state that extradition to Yugoslavia had been considered, and that the Dutch route proceeded in practice.
In November 1947, van Noord wrote a detailed account of the actions of 4./Baulehr-Btl.z.b.V.800 on 10 May 1940. Available summaries state that he was not identified as a member of the NSDAP or other Nazi-affiliated organisations in traceable records. In his account, he accepted responsibility within the framework of orders and stated continued responsibility for the actions of soldiers under his command.
Despite requests for release or a timely trial, and references to long-term war injuries and family financial hardship, proceedings did not result in a full criminal trial. He appeared as a witness in several cases, including proceedings involving Dutch collaboration suspects Julius Herdtman and Auke Damhof.
On 4 March 1950, the public prosecutor decided not to pursue prosecution, citing an assessment that any likely sentence would not exceed the pre-trial detention already served. On 17 May 1950, he was escorted to Venlo and removed to Germany, where he is described as travelling onward with a one-way train ticket.
Awards and decorations
[edit | edit source]During the war, van Noord is recorded as receiving:
- Eisernes Kreuz 1939, 2nd Class (1940)
- Eisernes Kreuz 1939, 1st Class (1940)
- Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 (1940)
- Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silver (1943)
- Verwundetenabzeichen in Silver (1944)
Personal life
[edit | edit source]Van Noord is recorded as married to Eva Isolde-Noord. Biographical notes describe him as living in or strongly associated with Rotterdam for long periods.
He is described as preferring beer, cafés, and competitive activities, and disliking losing, shortages of ammunition, and situations in which he could not wear a hat. His favourite food is pizza, and his preferred car brand is Opel. He is described as using the word “Tering” frequently in conversation.