N.B. 2021 03 25 – I believe van den Braak has signed a deal with a publisher in England, so hopefully his book will soon be available in English.
A couple of years ago, Dutch author, Jan Willem van den Braak published a book (in Dutch) on Dutch spy Engelbertus Fukken (alias Jan Willem ter Braak).
And this year, he has published another book titled Zij Spioneerden tegen Engeland – Operatie-Lena (1940-1941): tot mislukken gedoemd (They Spied against England – Operation Lena (1940-1941): doomed to failure)
The book description (with a bit of help from Google Translate) reads thusly:
In the summer of 1940, the Nazis hastily recruited nearly twenty spies from various countries, including the Netherlands, and in the following months sent them to England, as a sort of scout for the planned invasion of England – which would never happen. This Operation Lena became a catastrophe for the Nazis and the spies involved. Some were executed, one committed suicide and a few could only save their lives by becoming double agents.
In this book, Operation Lena is fully described in its historical context for the first time in the Netherlands. The author also makes some special discoveries, partly in relation to Churchill. In 2017 he published the biography of one of the Lena spies under the title Spy against Churchill; life and death of Jan Willem ter Braak.
Hoping that an English translation will see the light of day eventually!
Sorry, but the real name is Focken!!!!! I‘m astonished about the wrong pronounciation. What does it show? That something more is not in behalf to the truth?
Hello!
Thanks for the comments! That is interesting news on Engelbertus’ last name. It would certainly make it easier to pronounce. When one says the word Fukken, it always sounds bad! Have you read the Dutch book on Engelbertus by Jan Willem van den Braak (no relation)? It is coming out in English this spring and I am looking forward to seeing what the author has discovered.
Best wishes,
Giselle