DE VR IE ZEEUW
21 n0v2m0f.r
broadcast by Dr. Lou de Jong. In addition, news-snippets
from the BBC and other Radio Orange-news were
printed. The circulation of de Vrije Zeeuw lay within
the scale of 500 up until 2.500 copies. Distribution
was possible via the ordinary Postal-channels, throug
hout the province of Zeeland. Judging from an old
distribution-list (one of two left!), it can safely be con
cluded that the bulk went to Zuid-Beveland (35-55%),
Oost-Zeeuws-Flanders (20-25%) and Walcheren (10-
20%). The rest was distributed in relatively small
amounts, even to some post-subscribers outside
Zeeland. Circulation could even have been a bit higher,
as figures for the distribution around Middelburg
were not kept in such detail.
Luctor et Emergo
Besides 'Chronicle of the Week', that gave a pure factual
news digest, not specifically aimed at Zeeland-mat-
ters, there was also a need for a more reflective news-
sheet, that addressed typical needs of Zeeland itself.
This lead to the start of the Zeeland-paper Luctor et
Emergo, at the same Dairy Board, using the same
editorial staff and distribution-channels. Cor Zee
supervised the first two editions. Yet, after his arrest
mid-March 1944 for helping fugitives to abscond, this
task was taken over by D.Boone. Zee later mentioned
in an interview, taken after the war, that the paper
never succeeded due to his arrest and subsequent
imprisonment in Scheveningen and Amersfoort. Due
to his involuntary absence, he could not know that
Luctor et Emergo had in fact risen, and circulated every
3 or 4 weeks. The paper (one sheet) appeared in a
total of 8 editions. The ninth number of august 1944
was not stenciled, but was most probably spread in
typed form. Besides main news, the paper took a deeper
view on local issues. The first edition was one broad
appeal to the population to prepare for liberation, and
how to act in the aftermath. 'The Invasion is coming'
was mentioned as early as beginning of 1944. Number
two contained a warning to the Zeeland-population not
to collaborate in the possible inundations of Zeeuws-
Flanders and the Northern-Islands.
Also warning farmers not to attempt to make war-
profits on their products, but rather to help the needy
in these dire times. It also published a warning to
relatives of war-fugitives for German reprisals, speeches
of Queen Wilhelmina, and general calls for calm
during the war-months that still were to come. In the
last edition, it reads that the paper shall henceforth
only appear 'if deemed necessary'. After august 1944,
the chain of events become to fast, and it can be safely
assumed that the publication of factual news in
'Chronicle of the Week' prevailed. Leaving no more
room for the reflections of Luctor et Emergo. The libe
ration of Zeeland took away its reason of existence,
but no one could be remorseful of that.
Sources
Interviews met Cornells Zee (1911-1997) door Bou (eind jaren
'40 voor de geschiedschrijving LO/LKP), door G. Taal (19 apr. 1982)
en door de auteur (6 nov. 1989). Zee stond als secretaris/admi
nistrateur, later als directeur aan het hoofd van de Zeeuwse
Melkfederatie. Diverse interviews van de auteur met Dingenis
Boone (1915), eind 1989, die ook de meeste documentatie leverde.
Boone was administrateur bij de Zeeuwse Melkfederatie, en na
de oorlog gewestelijk secretaris van het bedrijfschap voor de
melkhandel. Dubbelinterview van de auteur met Dingenis Boone
en Gerardus Johannes Holster (1918), medio jaren negentig.
Holster was in de meidagen van '40 onderofficier geweest en
ondergedoken, uiteindelijk bij Le Due. Na de oorlog diende
Holster als beroepsmilitair. Andries le Due (1918-1997) werkte
samen met Holster aan de illegale bladen. Interview van de
auteur met Jasper Jobse (1918), medio 1989. Jobse was tekenaar
bij een ingenieursbureau, en na de oorlog architect te Vlissingen.
Voorts is gebruikgemaakt van Lydia E. Winkel, De ondergrondse
pers, 1940-1945 (UtrechtUitgeverij Veen 1989).
13 Zeeuws Tijdschrift 2004/6-7
