Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

2 I(U) Section, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army

Awarded on:

March 20th, 1946

"From the period 1940 to 1945, this officer has performed clandestine work of outstanding value for the Allied cause both before and during the liberation of HOLLAND.
The efficiency with which he has performed this task has been greatly responsible for the smooth running of the special organization to which he is attached."

British Royal approval of 28 Novenber 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Awarded on:

June 25th, 1946

"After the collapse of organized resistance in Holland, Captain POT was asked by a secret agent, dispatched from England in February 1942, to undertake the military phases of this agent's mission in enemy-occupied Holland. Although marked as a former officer, Captain POT served for several months as a secret agent, in imminent danger of torture and death if captured. On 22 May 1942 he was indeed captured by the Gestapo, but managed to make good his escape, and immediately resumed his work, specializing in reporting upon the organization and functioning of the Wehrmacht.
In June 1943 Captain POT was finally forced to leave Holland, after having recruited, organized and trained a secret intelligence network which continues to function to this day. Secreted in the water tank of a coastwise steamer, he reached England via Sweden in August 1943. There he officially entered the Netherlands Intelligence Service, and was charged with the instruction, briefing and dispatch of secret intelligence agents, as well as with the interpretation, evaluation and distribution of their reports. During this period he worked together in the closest possible manner with the Office of Strategic Services, which profited greatly by his specialized knowledge of the Wehrmacht and of conditions prevailing in the Netherlands.
Upon its organization in August 1944, Captain POT became one of the original members of the OSS/SI Netherlands Detachment, and reached Eindhoven with the Detachment the day after its liberation, where he took charge of all incoming intelligence.
With the greatest ingenuity, skill and perseverance Captain POT discovered, organized and directed the exploitation of numerous secret telephone lines running from liberated into enemy-occupied Holland. By this means he obtained an extraordinary amount of highly detailed information about enemy dispositions, personalities and movements. These were immediately and continuously reported in such detail, and with so high a degree of accuracy, as to be of the utmost value to the Office of Strategic Services and to SHAEF. It was reliably reported that contemplated offensive action by the enemy across the MAAS toward Antwerp was in part abandoned because of the promptness and completeness of this intelligence.
In addition Captain POT rendered valuable services in the recruiting, training, briefing and dispatching of secret agents across the enemy lines. Here his own long practical experience and his thorough knowledge of the Wehrmacht and its identification were of particular value in preparing these agents."

General Orders no. 353 (28 december 1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Res. kapitein (Captain of Reserves)

Awarded on:

January 2nd, 1950

Recommendation:
He has distinguished himself in combat against the enemy by specializing in militaty intelligence, soon contacting agents dispatched from England and by supporting these agents in their work during 1941 and 1942, to which end he established an intelligence network specializing in military inteligence.
In addition for having trained many persons for this group to do this work, so gradually an organization was established which was of great value for later reporting on military matters.
Next by having expanded his organization, despite hostile activity resulting in all agents with whom he had cooperated being arrested and later executed by the enemy without exception and he himself being wanted by the enemy.
Finally, after being arrested himself following the capture of one of his associates, having made good his escape and resuming his work until he, considering the trying circumstances under which he would have to continue his work he went to England after having consulted the Dutch Bureau of Intelligence.
Having rendered by his actions meritorious services to the Allied conduct of the war and to the Dutch Government.


Royal decree no. 9

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)