Father: Johannes van der Zwan
Mother: Leentje van Zaanen
FATAL CURIOSITY
Jan and his father, a widower, were evacuees from Scheveningen (South Holland). During WW2, they were accommodated by the Onnink family on the Markerinkdijk in Barlo, Aalten. His sisters were staying at the nearby Luiten family.
The German occupiers had established a "Schreibstube" at the Onnink house. 13-year-old Jan van der Zwan got along well with the somewhat surly German SS commander who worked there.
On 20 January, Jan walked into the commander's office. There he saw the German's gun. He couldn't control his curiosity and took the weapon to have a look at it. Suddenly, Mrs. Onnink heard a loud bang. The revolver turned out to be loaded and Jan accidentally shot himself. He died in the arms of Mrs. Onnink.
After the war, father Van der Zwan kept visiting the Onnink family for many years until his death. They always visited Jan's grave as well.
Mother: Leentje van Zaanen
FATAL CURIOSITY
Jan and his father, a widower, were evacuees from Scheveningen (South Holland). During WW2, they were accommodated by the Onnink family on the Markerinkdijk in Barlo, Aalten. His sisters were staying at the nearby Luiten family.
The German occupiers had established a "Schreibstube" at the Onnink house. 13-year-old Jan van der Zwan got along well with the somewhat surly German SS commander who worked there.
On 20 January, Jan walked into the commander's office. There he saw the German's gun. He couldn't control his curiosity and took the weapon to have a look at it. Suddenly, Mrs. Onnink heard a loud bang. The revolver turned out to be loaded and Jan accidentally shot himself. He died in the arms of Mrs. Onnink.
After the war, father Van der Zwan kept visiting the Onnink family for many years until his death. They always visited Jan's grave as well.
Father: Johannes van der Zwan
Mother: Leentje van Zaanen
FATAL CURIOSITY
Jan and his father, a widower, were evacuees from Scheveningen (South Holland). During WW2, they were accommodated by the Onnink family on the Markerinkdijk in Barlo, Aalten. His sisters were staying at the nearby Luiten family.
The German occupiers had established a "Schreibstube" at the Onnink house. 13-year-old Jan van der Zwan got along well with the somewhat surly German SS commander who worked there.
On 20 January, Jan walked into the commander's office. There he saw the German's gun. He couldn't control his curiosity and took the weapon to have a look at it. Suddenly, Mrs. Onnink heard a loud bang. The revolver turned out to be loaded and Jan accidentally shot himself. He died in the arms of Mrs. Onnink.
After the war, father Van der Zwan kept visiting the Onnink family for many years until his death. They always visited Jan's grave as well.
Mother: Leentje van Zaanen
FATAL CURIOSITY
Jan and his father, a widower, were evacuees from Scheveningen (South Holland). During WW2, they were accommodated by the Onnink family on the Markerinkdijk in Barlo, Aalten. His sisters were staying at the nearby Luiten family.
The German occupiers had established a "Schreibstube" at the Onnink house. 13-year-old Jan van der Zwan got along well with the somewhat surly German SS commander who worked there.
On 20 January, Jan walked into the commander's office. There he saw the German's gun. He couldn't control his curiosity and took the weapon to have a look at it. Suddenly, Mrs. Onnink heard a loud bang. The revolver turned out to be loaded and Jan accidentally shot himself. He died in the arms of Mrs. Onnink.
After the war, father Van der Zwan kept visiting the Onnink family for many years until his death. They always visited Jan's grave as well.
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