Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Unit:

Dutch-Paris, Nederlands Verzet

Awarded on:

November 22nd, 1946

"Captain John H. Weidner, Subject of the Netherlands, for outstanding heroism performed with great courage and magnificent fortitude in the service of the Allied Nations from November, 1944, during which time the vast international escape route known as 'Dutch-Paris,' organized and commanded by him, successfully conveyed 112 Americans and other Allied airmen out of Holland, through Belgium and France, across the Pyrenees into Spain. A great patriot typifying the spirit of the underground. Captain John H. Weidner, for indomitable courage and unexcelled leadership in his priceless contribution to the defense of liberty has gained the profound gratitude and highest admiration of all freedom-loving peoples."

General Orders 22 November 1946.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Unit:

Dutch-Paris, Nederlands Verzet

Awarded on:

August 6th, 1947

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Unit:

Dutch-Paris, Nederlands Verzet

Awarded on:

January 28th, 1948

"In 1941, the nucleus of an Underground Organisation, which was to prove the very heart of Dutch Resistance, was originated in HOLLAND, BELGIUM and FRANCE by the efforts and initiative of Captain J.H. WEIDNER, then Dutch Security Officer for PARIS. The Organisation concerned itself throughout with every type of Underground work, including the transmission of information to ENGLAND and SWITZERLAND, the passage of numerous Dutch refugees out of Europe and the maintenance of Dutch Resistance in both FRANCE and BELGIUM.

During the course of these activities, members of the Underground Movement had occasion to aid Allied evaders, who were evading capture, and passed them along the same Escape Lines that the various Dutch refugees were using. The Line started in HOLLAND and passed into BELGIUM at MAASTRICHT, to BRUSSELS, and through PARIS to TOULOUSE and the Spanish frontier. In December 1943 contact was made with two other Evasion Groups, who were operating along the same route; subsequently a three way coalition was formed which undoubtedly enhanced the efficiency and escape facilities of all three Organisations.

Captain WEIDNER's Organisation first linked up with other Evasion Groups and started to help evaders in September 1943; their work for Allied Evasion may however started before this date, since the Group was exceedingly well organised and consequently attracted little attention. Reliable records confirm that during the course of their activities some sixty Allied evaders were evacuated along the Escape Line into safety, but the actual numbers may have been considerably greater.

The NETHERLANDS-PARIS Line continued to operate most efficiently for Evasion purposes until February 1944, when the denunciations of a certain helper resulted in mass arrests in the PARIS area. After this date work was restricted; members of the Organisation were obliged to suspend many of their activities and concentrated chiefly on their Resistance work. Nevertheless, they continued with their activities until the Liberation.

It is difficult - if not impossible - to dissociate the individual capabilities and accomplishments of Captain Weidner from the combined achievements of his Organisation as a whole. He was constantly active and vigilant, and great credit is due to him for his work in every field. He as in every sense of the word the very "pulse" of a manifold and far-reaching Underground Movement - symbol of heroic Dutch Resistance during the four years of German occupation."

British approval dated 11 June 1947

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Unit:

Dutch-Paris, Nederlands Verzet

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Unit:

Dutch-Paris, Nederlands Verzet