General Jan Willem Janssens was a Dutch soldier and nobleman who served as governor-general of Cape Colony in South Africa and the Dutch East Indies in present-day Indonesia. Although poorly equipped in terms of resources and soldiers, he fought bravely against the British army when they led attacks on the colonies.
![]() |
By the time he returned, Napoleon's brother Louis Bonaparte had been made King of Holland, and the new ruler named him as the secretary-general of the Department of War. After the Netherlands were annexed in 1810, he was moved to a new position as governor of the Dutch East Indies. Once again, the British troops attacked, and Janssens was forced to surrender after a futile attempt at defense. Following further military engagements, Janssens finally resigned his post in the French army. He died at the age of 75 as a highly decorated veteran.
Born | |
Wounded at the start of the Napoleonic War | |
Dutch surrender led to establishment of Batavian Republic in the Netherlands | |
Cape Colony was returned to Dutch control, Janssens was appointed governor-general | |
Battle of Blaauwberg | |
Annexation of the Netherlands by the French | |
Became governor-general of Dutch East Indies | |
Forced to surrender to the British | |
Resigned from the French Army | |
Died a celebrated war veteran |
Second Conquest by the British in | South Africa by Ian D. Colvin |
Image Links | ||
---|---|---|
![]() General Janssens at the Battle of Blaauwberg in South Africa |
Victorious general who rose to power during the French Revolution. Crowned himself Emperor and restored France to greatness. | |
One of Napoleon's most trusted generals and hero of many French battles. Executed for treason after Waterloo. | |
Louis Bonaparte | Brother of Napoleon. Appointed King of Holland during Napoleonic Wars. |