Bosch Jan

Bosch, Jan The son of grocers from Friesland, Jan Bosch, cared for 33 Jewish children, all of whom survived the war. He had moved to Limburg with his parents, who set up a thriving wholesale grocery business where Jan also worked. Through the Dutch Calvinist youth movement of southern Limburg and business connections, Jan Bosch came into contact with Arie van Mansum* of Maastricht. One day, Arie told Jan that he was looking for hiding places for children who had been smuggled out of an Amsterdam crèche prior to their deportation to the east. The children were placed in various towns and villages around Maastricht, including Brunssum, Heerlen, Hoensbroek, Treebeek, and Waubach. Jan took care of the young refugees from the beginning of 1943 until the liberation of the area in September 1944. He was responsible for providing them with clothing and food coupons and making sure that they were treated well. At first, Jan was supplied with ration cards by Arie van Mansum, then by someone at the Hoensbroek distribution office, and later from the LO, the national organization for fugitives. At one point, Jan was confronted by the SD, the German secret police, and ordered to report to their offices. Jan managed to secure his own release by showing them a forged Ausweis. On February 27, 1995, Yad Vashem recognized Jan Bosch as Righteous Among the Nations.