Date of birth:

May 13th, 1907 (Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

Date of death:

January 3rd, 1949 (Demak/Java, Indonesia)

Buried on:

Dutch War Cemetery Candi

Nationality:

Dutch

Willem Jan Scheepens attended the K.M.A. (Royal Military Academy) in Breda and was stationed in the Dutch East Indies. He served with the Korps Marechaussee (Military Police) in Atjeh.
In 1942 he took a special course at the Special Operations Executive in England. He carried out various secret missions on Atjeh and the west coast of Sumatra from the submarine 024 in order to gather secret information and to mobilize local resistance groups.
In juni 1946 he was appointed Commander of the Depot Special Forces, some sort of commando unit.
Captain Willem Jan Scheepens lost his life during a nocturnal action in Pati on the island of Java in the Dutch East Indies.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1944

Aanbeveling:
For having displayed particularly courageous and tactful conduct during 3 operations, in 2 as commander, entailing the execution of amphibious landings on enemy occupied territory in the Dutch East Indies in order to collect information about the enemy. During these operations he executed 6 landings. During one of those, enemy fire was encountered and on his return, valuable information was passed on.

Royal Decree no. 3 dated 3 August, 1944.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Awarded on:

February 22nd, 1945

Citation:
"Captain Scheepens was the leader of one of two parties "which were detailed to carry out a hazardous reconnaissance on the West Coast of Sumatra," the result of which were extremely valuable. During three landings carried out by his party Captain SCHEEPENS displayed qualities of courage, leadership and skill of an extremely high order which made possible the completion of the reconnaissance of the area assigned to him.
In addition to his personal conduct on the operation Captain SCHEEPENS, throughout the period of training, which was on necessity short and fraught with difficulties, displayed an enthusiasm and power hich greatly influenced all those taking part.
On previous operations of this nature Captain SCHEEPENS unfailingly displayed a gallantry and tenacity of purpose which was the inspiration of all those serving with him."

• - ERIK MÜLLER, De Bronzen Leeuw.
  - http://www.onderscheidingen.nl/
  - De Nederlandse Krijgsmacht - De Nederlandes Krijgsmacht - Marine Landmacht Luchtmacht en Marechaussee
  

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