Date of birth:

June 17th, 1922 (Waalwijk, the Netherlands)

Date of death:

February 24th, 1996 (Den Helder, the Netherlands)

Nationality:

Dutch

Franciscus Johannes Maria Hoffmans "Frans," from Waalwijk became involved in the illegality at an early age. What started with distributing the resistance magazine Trouw soon became more serious work such as transporting food coupons and arranging food for people in hiding.

From the summer of 1944 he performed (as he called the same) hand and hand services for the Resistance Group "André" of Jos van Wijlen and so he ended up in the world of crossers in December 1944. Initially, he is employed in the crossers' house "Hotel Centraal" at Lage Zwaluwe that served for the reception and accommodation of the crossers who had made the trip from occupied Holland.

These crossers transported with rowing boats and canoes persons and intelligence from occupied Netherlands through the Biesbosch to the liberated part. The most famous cross routes were Sliedrecht-Lage Zwaluwe and from Werkendam to Drimmelen.

This did not last long because after a few days he went cross-country himself. In retrospect, perhaps this was quite special? Most of the crossers had grown up in the villages along the rivers and around the Biesbosch and were familiar with this area. Frans Hoffmans came from Waalwijk and so probably did not have this experience. During his last crossing he and some others ended up in a minefield and saved the life of one of his fellow crossers. In the end, Frans made a total of 18 crossings.

Frans, hometown of Waalwijk, was awarded with:
The Bronze Lion and the Resistance Memorial Cross.

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• Photo: De Liniecrossers - Linie Crossers Sliedrecht | Leer de liniecrossers kennen
  
• - HEUVEL, C.C. VAN DEN e.a., Verzetsherdenkingskruis, Samsom Uitgeverij, 1985.
  - HOEK, PIET VAN DEN, Biesbosch Crossings 1944-1945, Kok Voorhoeve, Kampen, 1993.
  - MEIJER, H.G., Bronzen Leeuw, Bronzen Kruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1990.
  - SIMONS, J., Liniecrossers, Omniboek, 2021.
  - Brons, Nummer 77, Jaargang 22, 2013, Vereniging Dragers Militaire Dapprheidsonderscheidingen
  

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