Molenaar, Jan
Personal Information
Rank | Agent |
Forename(s) | Jan |
Surname | Molenaar |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | Bronze Cross (Netherlands). |
Date of Death | 29-03-1942 |
Next of Kin | Gerrit Molenaar and Elisabeth Dullemeijer |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V |
Serial Number | Z9286 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | |
Grave Reference | |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | SP |
Panel Number | 272 (not yet erected on site) |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | - |
Service | Special Operations Executive |
Group | |
Squadron | 161 (Special Duties) |
Trade | Agent |
Country of Origin | Netherlands |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial with inscribed Marble Tablets |
Memorial Text | In honour of the men and women of Special Duties Sqns stationed at RAF Tempsford |
Location | Gibraltar Farm Barn, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Framed Scrolls |
Memorial Text | In memory of 161 Sqn, RAF Tempsford February 1942 - June 1945 |
Location | Church of St. Peter, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Brass Plaques & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | In memory of the men and women of 161 Sqn, RAF Tempsford including those of the Royal Australian Air Force, and SOE agents killed during WW2 |
Miscellaneous Information
Jan Molenaar was born on 12 April 12 1918 in Waddinxveen. He was also known as Jan Maartens. Unusually, he doesn’t appear to have been given a codename. |
In June 1940 he arrived in England with the Marechaussee Brigade from Venray. Molenaar trained with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in June 1941. He was radio operator for Leo Andringa. |
His Bronze Cross (Netherlands) was awarded posthumously, in 1951. |
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 28-03-1942 |
End Date | 29-03-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Tempsford |
Day/Night Raid | Night (86% moon) |
Operation | Special Operations Executive- Operation Turnip, captained by P/O Russell. Dropzone Hellendoorn |
Reason for Loss | Badly injured during his parachute drop and took a cyanide pill. Andringa hid his body in a drinking trough for cows on the farm but it was discovered the following day by locals collecting eggs. One of them, a local farmer by the name of Albertus Huzen reported his findings, but not until he hid Andringa's parachute. Despite this, Andringa was arrested on 28 April 28 1942 and executed in Mauthausen on 6 September 1944. |