General Janssens

(Jan Willem Janssens)

1762–1838

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.

GENERAL JANSSENS AT THE BATTLE OF BLAAUWBERG

Born in the Netherlands in the mid-eighteenth century, Janssens served as colonel in the French army but was wounded during a campaign at the start of the Napoleonic Wars. Two years later, the Netherlands had surrendered to Napoleon, and Janssens became administrator of the country, renamed the Batavian Republic. He stayed in that position for several years before being appointed governor of the newly-reclaimed Cape Colony. Once there, he found resources lacking, and his attempts to build defenses around the city were echoed by only a few trained troops. The British, meanwhile, despite earlier peace agreements, invaded the colony and engaged the small Dutch army at the Battle of Blaauwberg. Janssens' small militia was no match for the immense British army, and he surrendered before being transported back to the Netherlands.

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.

Key events during the life of Jan Willem Janssens:

Year	Event
1762	Born
1793	Wounded at the start of the Napoleonic War
1795	Dutch surrender led to establishment of Batavian Republic in the Netherlands
1802	Cape Colony was returned to Dutch control, Janssens was appointed governor-general
1806	Battle of Blaauwberg
1810	Annexation of the Netherlands by the French
1811	Became governor-general of Dutch East Indies
1811	Forced to surrender to the British
1815	Resigned from the French Army
1838	Died a celebrated war veteran

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Second Conquest by the British  in	South Africa  by  Ian D. Colvin

Image Links
General Janssens at the Battle of Blaauwberg  in South Africa

Contemporary	Short Biography
Napoleon	Victorious general who rose to power during the French Revolution. Crowned himself Emperor and restored France to greatness.
Michel Ney	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.