Julius von Zech-Burkersroda

Zech-Burkersroda studied law at universities in Germany,[1] and was commissioned as an officer in the cavalry.

[2] After twenty years' service in the diplomatic corps, he was appointed minister to The Hague in 1928 during the Weimar Republic.

[4] In May 1940, Zech-Burkersroda was given the responsibility of passing the German declaration of war against the Netherlands to Dutch foreign minister Eelco van Kleffens.

On 7 June 1940, he retired from the diplomatic service, shortly after the Netherlands fell to the Nazis.

[1] Five years later, after the defeat of Nazi Germany, he was arrested by the Soviet occupation forces, and died shortly thereafter in Bautzen.