Aart Alblas

Aart Hendrik Alblas, aka Klaas de Waard (Middelharnis, 20 September 1918 – Mauthausen concentration camp, 7 September 1944), was a Dutch navy officer, resistance member and Engelandvaarder. He participated in several resistance operations and is one of the most highly decorated Dutch resistance members.

From 1940, Alblas collected information, often with John A. Idema. On the night of 18/19 March 1941, Alblas, with A.M. Westerhout, dressed in stolen German uniforms, travelled by motor boat to England to deliver the collection of information. For this exploit he received the Bronze Cross.

Alblas was eventually captured and subsequently executed at Mauthausen concentration camp on 7 September 1944.

Awards and decorations
In recognition of his actions, he was posthumously made a Knight 4th class in the Military William Order. He also received the Bronze Lion, the War Commemorative Cross and the Resistance Commemorative Cross. One of the sixteen minesweepers, commissioned by Royal Netherlands Navy between 1960 and 1962, was named the KRM Aart H. Alblas in his honour.

References

Category:1918 births
Category:1944 deaths
Category:Dutch people of World War II
Category:People from Middelharnis
Category:Royal Netherlands Navy officers
Category:Royal Netherlands Navy personnel of World War II
Category:Recipients of the Bronze Lion
Category:Knights Fourth Class of the Military Order of William
Category:Recipients of the Bronze Cross (Netherlands)
Category:Recipients of the Resistance Memorial Cross
Category:Dutch Resistance members
Category:People who died in Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp
Category:Dutch people executed by Nazi Germany
Category:Dutch people executed in Nazi concentration camps
Category:Engelandvaarders