Jan Driesten

(Harlingen, 1916)

Sergeant, 1st Company DNB

Disguised in the Resistance

Jan Driesten was born on 8 March 1916 in Harlingen. During the 1940 mobilisation, he served as a sergeant in the Royal Netherlands Army. He later went into hiding in Aalten and joined an assault group (knokploeg). In the autumn of 1944, he was part of the resistance group ‘De Bark‘, which was preparing for the liberation. On 9 October 1944, his group became involved in a fierce firefight with the Landwacht (paramilitary pro-German guard) near the ‘’t Ruwhof’ farmhouse.

The resistance fighters narrowly escaped. During Christmas 1944, Jan played the harmonium to accompany a solemn church service for resistance members and local villagers.

In early 1945, disguised as a priest, he travelled to Friesland to deliver a message to a resistance group. He learned Latin prayers and was provided with clerical clothing. The mission was a success, but he was arrested on the return journey. Shortly afterwards, he was liberated by the Canadians.

After the liberation, Jan joined the Dutch National Battalion (DNB) and assisted in the liberation of the Veluwe and Amersfoort. In the summer of 1945, he returned to the Royal Netherlands Army and was eventually promoted to the rank of Major. He received an honourable discharge on 1 May 1973.

Jan Driesten passed away on 7 November 1986 in Zwolle.

Jan Driesten