Kraan Wilhelmus

Kraan, Wilhelmus Johannes Nak, Piet Willem Kraan, who worked in the Amsterdam municipal street building department, and his friend Piet Nak, who worked in the sanitation department, were active members of the Communist Party. On Sunday February 23, 1941, they decided to initiate a strike in protest against the inhuman manner in which the Germans were treating the Jews. They approached as many working people as they could and asked them to strike on behalf of the Jews. The strike did not come off immediately, however, on Monday evening, Piet made an inspiring speech at the Noordermarkt and on Tuesday all the services in Amsterdam and some in the neighboring towns went on strike. It was the first time that non-Jews openly showed their concern for the plight of the Jews. The strike only lasted for two days before it was put down by the Germans. Following the strike, the Germans made a supreme effort to apprehend the organizers, but they were never discovered. After awhile, Piet was caught in connection with other illegal activities and brutally mistreated. Piet did not break, and when the Germans finally let him go he went temporarily into hiding. On November 15, 1941, Piet, Willem and many of their friends were caught again. Willem and 17 others were executed but Piet was released and once again went into hiding. In May 1943, he was jailed for the third time, and in June he was freed again. However, the Germans had treated him so brutally that he was declared unfit for work and could never again hold a regular job. After the war, a bust of Willem Kraan was placed in a street that bore his name. On May 31, 1966, Yad Vashem recognized Wilhelmus Johannes Kraan and Piet Nak as Righteous Among the Nations.