Jan van Hoof
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| Jan Jozef Lambert van Hoof | |
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| Born | 7 August 1922 Nijmegen, the Netherlands |
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| Died | 19 September 1944 Nijmegen, the Netherlands; |
| Cause of death | executed in the field by German military |
| Burial place | Algemene begraafplaats Vredehof, Nijmegen |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Education | Catholic University of Nijmegen |
| Occupation | Student |
| Known for | Operation Market Garden |
Jan Jozef Lambert van Hoof (Nijmegen, 7 August 1922 - Nijmegen, 19 September 1944) was a member of the Dutch resistance and died during the Operation Market Garden.
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[edit] Story of Jan van Hoof
Before the war he was a Rover Scout. But during World War II Scouting was forbidden in most occupied countries. All the Scouting organization would be integrated in the Nationale Jeugdstorm (NJS) the Dutch version of the Hitler Youth. But the Dutch Scouting organisations did not agree with the terms of the NJS and went underground and some even into resistance.
So did Jan van Hoof. During the occupation of the Netherlands by the Nazis he made observations and drawings of his environment. With the coming of the Allies during Operation Market Garden in September 1944 he used his expertise by guiding the Allies through the city of Nijmegen.
It was said that he disarmed the explosives that were attached to the Waal Bridge during the fighting, though no-one saw him do it. After this heroic deed he went home and told his sister 'the bridge is saved'; the he returned to the American unit and resumed guiding them through the city.
In these days Dutch resistance members wore distinguished clothing so they could be recognised as soldiers. The Germans however saw this as a provocation and didn't see them as soldiers but as traitors.
On the 19th of September van Hoof was again guiding American soldiers through the city, when Germans opened fire on the his vehicle. After the attack the Germans came to the scene which revealed the member of the Dutch resistance. The American soldiers were already dead, but van Hoof was still alive. They took his gun, identity papers and his armband which made him officially an allied soldier. He was beaten and then shot through the head.
[edit] Decorations
Because of his deeds he was posthumous awarded:
- in 1945 The Medal for Freedom with bronze Palm (USA),
- in 1946 Order of William Knight 4th Class (Netherlands),
- in 1947 The King's Commendation for Brave Conduct with silver laurel (UK),
[edit] Monuments dedicated to Jan van Hoof
These monuments and graves are dedicated to Jan van Hoof.
- Nijmegen, monument for Jan van Hoof
- Nijmegen, 'honour grave' of Jan van Hoof
- Nijmegen, monument on the Waal Bridge
- Nijmegen, monument at Lange Hezelstraat
- Nijmegen, Dutch War Cemetry
(All Dutch)
[edit] See also
[edit] External Links
- Left Handshake by Hilary Saint George Saunders, about Scouting during WWII
- Jan van Hoof Article about Jan van Hoof, by Piet J. Kroonenberg (Dutch)
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Hooft, Jan van |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1922 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Nijmegen, The Netherlands |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1944 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Nijmegen, The Netherlands |
