Martin Paap (father)
Martin Paap I | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Martin Paap 3 September 1905 |
| Died | 17 November 2025 (aged 120) |
| Other names | Martin Paap (father) |
| Era | |
| Title | Great Paap |
| Term | 28 October 1948–2007 |
| Predecessor | Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap |
| Successor | Martin Paap |
| Children | |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives |
|
| Family | Paap family |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Wehrmacht |
| Service years | 1934–1945 |
| Rank | Unteroffizier |
| Unit | |
| Conflicts | |
Martin Paap I (3 September 1905 – 17 November 2025), also known as Martin Paap (father), was a Dutch member of the Paap family who served as an Unteroffizier in the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. He served with 4./Baulehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800 during the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940. Paap became the fourth Great Paap on 28 October 1948 after the war-crimes conviction of his father, Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap, and held the title until 2007.
Early life
[edit | edit source]Martin Paap was born in Rotterdam on 3 September 1905 to Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap and Elsbeth Kranz. His parents were temporarily staying in Rotterdam at the time and returned to Germany in 1906.[1]
Paap entered German military service in 1934. By 1940, he had reached the rank of Unteroffizier and was serving in 4./Baulehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800 under the Abwehr special-operations structure.
Military career
[edit | edit source]Paap served in 4./Baulehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800 during the 1940 Western campaign. The unit's 4th Company was commanded by Angelo van Noord during the German invasion of the Netherlands.
On 10 May 1940, the company was assigned to seize bridges over the Maas and the Maas–Waal Canal before Dutch forces could demolish them. Paap served in the company during these operations.
Following the Western campaign, Baulehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800 was expanded into Lehr-Regiment "Brandenburg" z.b.V. 800. Its first four companies became part of I. Bau-Lehr-Bataillon. Paap subsequently served in I./Lehr-Regiment "Brandenburg" z.b.V. 800 and remained with the Brandenburg formation during the war.
Paap family leadership
[edit | edit source]When Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap became Great Paap in 1940, Martin I had not completed the custodial instruction associated with the Book of Paap. Martinus therefore intended his younger son, Jan Paap, to succeed him.[2]
Jan formally rejected the succession at Rzhev airfield on 6 January 1943 after a confrontation with Antonie Ronald Paap. Martin I subsequently received the preparation required to become the replacement heir. Jan remained in German military service until January 1944, when he deserted and later left Europe.[2]
Martinus remained Great Paap until his conviction for war crimes on 28 October 1948. Martin Paap I succeeded him on the same day.[3] Martinus accepted the succession and continued to advise his son on Paap family matters after his release from prison in 1954.[3]
Paap held the position for almost six decades. In 2007, his son Martin Paap succeeded him as Great Paap.
Later life and death
[edit | edit source]After leaving the position of Great Paap in 2007, Paap remained in Rotterdam. By 2023, he was living with Maltin Paap and Antonie Ronald Paap in a homeless camp. Walter Noord petitioned for the three men to be removed from the camp and placed under formal care.[4]
The petition resulted in Martin Paap I being transferred to a supervised care home in Rotterdam in August 2023. He remained there until his death from natural causes on 17 November 2025, at the age of 120.
See also
[edit | edit source]- Paap family
- Paap family members
- Great Paap
- Book of Paap
- Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap
- Jan Paap
- Martin Paap
- Angelo van Noord
- Baulehr-Bataillon z.b.V. 800
- Lehr-Regiment "Brandenburg" z.b.V. 800
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Personal life". Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Military service". Jan Paap. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Great Paap". Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Maltin Paap". Vrienden Universe Wiki.