Geuzenveld-Slotermeer in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Jan Bakker

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein

1. Jan Bakker Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Hendrik Jan Bakker
Giethoorn, 12 augustus 1914 - Amsterdam, 15 mei 1994

Hendrik Jan Bakker werd geboren in een arm boerengezin in Giethoorn. Na de HBS in Steenwijk besloot hij journalist te worden. In 1940 werkte hij bij het Dagblad van het Noorden. Toen de Duitse bezetter alle kranten 'gelijk-schakelde' nam hij ontslag en sloot zich aan bij de verzetsgroep van Koos Vorrink en het illegale Parool. Hij nam de risicovolle distributie van de krant in het noorden van het land op zich en hielp daarnaast Joodse mensen onder te duiken. Hij werd door verraad in 1943 gearresteerd en werd veroordeeld tot de doodstraf. Dit werd echter omgezet in een levenslang strafkamp. Ziek en vermagerd werd Jan Bakker begin 1945 door de Russen uit Dreibergen/Bützow bevrijd. Hij bleef zijn leven lang getekend door zijn afschuwelijke ervaringen.

(English translation:)

Hendrik Jan Bakker was born into a poor farming family in Giethoorn. After the HBS in Steenwijk he decided to become a journalist. In 1940 he worked for the Dagblad van het Noorden ("Daily News of the North"). When the German occupier

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'equalized' all newspapers, he resigned and joined the resistance group of Koos Vorrink and the illegal Parool. He took on the risky distribution of the newspaper in the north of the country and also helped Jewish people go into hiding. He was arrested for treason in 1943 and was sentenced to death. However, this was turned into a life sentence in a penal camp. Sick and emaciated, Jan Bakker was liberated in early 1945 by the Russians from Dreibergen/Bützow. He remained scarred by his horrific experiences throughout his life.

Erected by Geef Straten Een Gezicht.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht, and the Heroes of the Dutch Resistance (GSEG) series lists.

Location. 52° 22.938′ N, 4° 50.065′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Geuzenveld-Slotermeer. Memorial can be reached from Wiardi Beckmanstraat. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1063 TG, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wiardi Beckman (within shouting distance of this marker); Ferry Ploeger (within shouting distance of this marker); Walraven van Hall (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line);

Jan Bakker Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 21, 2022

2. Jan Bakker Marker - wide view

For the curious, those black-and-white things are cows for children to play on.

Nico Snijders (about 150 meters away); Henk Hiensch (about 180 meters away); Anton Schweigmann (about 180 meters away); Bertus van Grouw (about 180 meters away); Johan Meewis (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.

More about this marker. The marker is located along a path in a commons area between Wiardi Beckmanstraat and Burgemeester Vening Meineszlaan.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.