TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Snapper, Frits

Date of birth:
September 29th, 1912 (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Date of death:
November 11th, 2007 (The Hague, The Netherlands)
Nationality:
Dutch (1815-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Reserve Second Lieutenant Infantry 01-01-1937
Reserve Lieuitenant der Infanterie 24-06-1945
MA Economics (1937)
Doctor Economics (1959).

Also decorated with the Italian 'Distintivo d'onore per i patrioti "Volontari della libertà'.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Res. 1e luitenant der artillerie (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)
Unit:
No 1 Special Force, Canadian Military Forces
Awarded on:
May 24th, 1946
Citation:
"Lt. Snapper was interned in Italy, having been arrested in 1942 while attempting to make his way from Holland to join the Allied Armies in N.Africa. He escaped shortly after the Armistice in September 1943 but was recaptured, finally escaping in February 1944 when he immediately joined the Partisans in the mountains of Reggie Emilia. He subsequently came into contact with the British Mission in that area and collaborated with them most closely.
He utterly scorned any suggestion that he should be send south across the lines, to which as an escaped P.W. he was entitled, and elected to remain and fight the enemy.
Lt. SNAPPER soon became accepted as a member of the British Mission in the PARMA area and performed the duties as a Liaison Officer. He was responsible for organising a very efficient intelligence service which supplied most valuable information to 5th. Army. At the same time he organised the exfiltration through the lines of agents, couriers and many escaped Allied P.Ws. He was also responsible for the partisan defence of the Mission area in the rear of the GARFAGNANO front.
Lt. SNAPPER served the British Mission faithfully and untiringly, he showed outstanding tenacity and determination in his work and enjoyed the confidence of the partisans leading them with ability and courage and being a great inspiration to them for a period of over 14 months."

Recommended for a MC but upgraded to a Honory MBE
British approval 24 May 1946.
Permission granted to accept and wear by Royal Decree no. ? dated 21 August, 1946.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

For 15 years of service.
Onderscheidingsteken voor langdurige, eerlijke en trouwe dienst

Sources

Photo