Last Dutch survivor of the invasion of Normandy passes away at 99 years of age

Max Wolff, the last remaining Dutch survivor of the invasion of Normandy, has passed away. Wolff lived to be 99 years of age. “The Netherlands is losing a courageous and inspiring veteran. His example will live forth, our gratefulness is forever,” Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said on Tuesday.

Wolff was 14 when the Second World War broke out. He spent four years in hiding in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France while trying but failing to flee to Switzerland with his family. Many Jewish members of Wolff’s family were murdered at Auschwitz or by German forces.

He joined the Princess Irene Brigade at 18 years of age in June 1944, shortly after D-Day. The Arnhem native had been loaned out to the British Royal Engineers Corps shortly before this. He worked as a translator there and was a part of the liberation of the Netherlands.

The war veteran visited Normandy last June when the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Allied troops was commemorated. The Jewish war veteran was the only survivor to be able to attend. Wolff has been to Normandy regularly over the years. He also attended the concert Bridge to Liberation in September 2024, which was held as a reminder of Operation Market Garden.

Wolff lived in Wageningen during the last years of his life, Omroep Gelderland reported.