PRESS RELEASE via PR Newswire UK
In September 2025, the National Military Museum (NMM) in Soesterberg will welcome a remarkable piece of aviation history—an original Fokker D.VII fighter aircraft. Designed during the First World War and later serving with the Dutch Fleet Air Arm before World War II, this aircraft will be on loan from the Deutsches Museum in Munich. Its journey back to the Netherlands marks a significant moment in aviation heritage, shedding light on a long-lost chapter of Dutch military history.
A Forgotten Legacy Rediscovered
The Fokker D.VII was discovered in 1945 by the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) unit—better known as the “Monuments Men”—while they were recovering stolen cultural treasures in Bavaria. Hidden in a barn in Vilsbiburg, the aircraft was handed over to the Deutsches Museum in Munich, though its origins remained unclear for decades. It wasn’t until a 1980 restoration that the aircraft’s Dutch markings, including roundels and a registration number, were uncovered. More recent, in-depth research in Germany has confirmed its Dutch provenance, though its exact identity remains uncertain. Historical investigations reveal that the aircraft was likely taken from the Netherlands during World War II for inclusion in a planned Nazi Luftwaffe museum under the direction of Hermann Göring.
A Collaborative Effort to Unravel the Past
Over the past two years, researchers from both the Deutsches Museum and the NMM have worked closely to trace the aircraft’s missing history. While its presence in the Netherlands until May 1940 is well-documented, what happened between its removal during the war and its discovery in 1945 remains a mystery. Despite ongoing efforts, critical gaps in its timeline remain, leaving key questions unanswered. Given the incomplete historical record, there is currently no legal basis for restitution. However, in the spirit of international cooperation, the Deutsches Museum has agreed to loan the Fokker D.VII to the Netherlands for a five-year exhibition at the NMM, starting in September 2025. During this time, further research will continue in both countries to uncover more details about its wartime fate.
Honoring Military History at the NMM
As one of the three Royal Defence Museums of the Netherlands, the National Military Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of military history. Through exhibitions like this, the NMM aims to highlight the significance of the armed forces in safeguarding peace and freedom. For more details, visit NMM.nl or follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram.
