[Korean War] 1950-1953 • [The elite dream] 1954-1957 • [In custody] 1957 • [Court-Martial] 1957 • [Vietnam War] 1968-1969 • [Child transports] 1970-1978 • [Temple retreat] 1970-RECENTLY
[ Bedridden Youth ] 1924-1940
Weak physical condition 1924 - 1938
As of a young age Jan Montyn's physical condition was weak. He was often sick and was forced to stay in bed for extended periods. In those days it was referred to as 'weak lunges'. One of the doctors once mentioned that "Jan will not calm his own grey hair".
In Oudewater, religion and narrow-mindedness 1930 - 1938
Jan Montyn's father was deacon of the local reformed municipality and member of the SGP, the 'Strongly Reformed Party'. On Sundays, church was visited three times. Bicycling and reading was not allowed, except for the Scriptures. Jan Montyn was enrolled into public elementary school for the reason that the religious school was not strict enough in its teachings. It was better to learn nothing than to learn misconceptions. The environment where and period during which Jan Montyn was raised didn't allow him to learn about politics and global events. Many things simply were not up for discussion. The only reading material that was allowed in the house was SGP's magazine, called "The Banier". At home there was no radio, for the reason that 'having one would definitely make you end up in hell'. Television was not yet around [ SEE "TELEVISION" ]. The main thing taught at home was "For the Queen and the Home Country". Furthermore, "Communism belongs to the devil. So do Catholicism and the Pope". At a later age, Jan Montyn would find more profound answers to his questions of life in South East Asia and in Buddhism.
In Oudewater, war pictures 1939
Due to his physical condition, at the start of the World War II Jan Montyn was forced to stay in bed. From neighbours and friends he received other reading materials than the Banier, like the 'Katholieke Illustratie' and 'De Prins' which showed pictures of the war in Poland with soldiers, horses, tanks and smart looking boys in uniform. Jan Montyn perceived this as the real world where deeds were being accomplished. For sure it was something different than the dull Oudewater, with all the depressed people in black with their small-town miseries.
World War II, Jan Montyn's father in the BVL 1940
When Germany raided The Netherlands, Jan Montyn's father joined the 'Bijzonder Vrijwillige Landstorm' (BVL), a semi military organization, to guard the bridge across the Dutch river the IJssel. Jan Montyn looked up to his father as a super hero.
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| BVL decoration |
World War II, first experiences 1940
After the capitulation in Oudewater the rumour was spread that Jan Montyn's father had been put on a black list, a list that also entailed people from the National Socialist Movement (NSB), the Dutch party that acted in favour of Hitler. The entire SGP party was suspected, for it preached absolute obedience to authority, irrelevant of which this authority is. In their eyes the occupation was a punishment of God and had to be respected. Jan Montyn was scolded at and threatened by local youth, which immensely scared him. Furthermore, the Germans that occupied Oudewater acted very correctly towards the local people. Same as the Germans, the Dutch were seen by Hitler as Aryan race. They were to be treated friendly, which was done. Some of the Germans moved into the Montyn's house, which went without any incidents.
Dutch Hitler Youth 1940
The negative experiences of Oudewater in general and recently with the local youth, combined with the positive experiences with the Germans made Jan Montyn inclined to the 'Nationale Jeugdstorm', the Dutch Hitler Youth. It was simply propagated as scouting, portraying all the things that boys between fourteen and seventeen dreamed of, like exploring, reading compasses, lighting fires and being with other boys of your age, also triggering the homo-erotic side. Moreover, Jan Montyn was not harassed and felt safe. He had however no idea of and no interest in the political background.
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| The "Jeugdstorm" (Dutch Hitler Youth) |
Farewell to Oudewater I - Arbeidsdienst, cultivating heath 1943
Jan Montyn who had already turned 18 chose to work under the 'Arbeidsdienst'. He was rather relieved to be away from the stuffy Oudewater. Jan Montyn was put to work outside, cultivating heath, up to and including August 1943, after which he returned to Oudewater. He opted not to sign up as a professional, for that related to politics in which Jan Montyn continued not to be interested.
Return to Oudewater I 1943
After having been away from home for an extended period, Jan Montyn's return to Oudewater came with major arguments and tensions between his family and himself.
Farewell and Return to Oudewater II - Arbeidseinsatz, metal factory 1943
Jan Montyn was set to work in a metal factory in Waddinxveen where he lasted for two days. His claustrophobia simply forced him to run away, whatever consequence it would give.
Farewell to Oudewater III 1943
Back in Oudewater Jan Montyn ran into a friend, called Hein, who had just signed up for a sports camp in the Austrian Alps. Jan Montyn decided to join him, not knowing that it was a Hitler Youth Camp. The camp turned out to be a semi-military scouting environment, providing all the things an 18-year old boy dreamed of, like mountain climbing, skiing, air rifle shooting and survival tours. Furthermore, it made you be among boys of your own age, also allowing for homo-eroticism. Jan Montyn spent six months in the camp. When he is asked what would be next, like joining the East Front, Jan Montyn decided to return to Oudewater. So far Jan Montyn had never signed up for anything, so was still free to go.
Return to Oudewater III 1944
Back in Oudewater, Jan Montyn was again hit by the local gloom. After having been away from home for an extended period in time and having been in an environment of camaraderie, the feeling had only become worse. While carrying this feeling, in April 1944 Jan Montyn was forced once more to choose.
Farewell to Oudewater IV 1944
The options for Jan Montyn were the same as before: 'Arbeitzeinsatz, being employed in Germany or going into hiding. Joining the NSB was another option. The experience he had had in the meantime showed Jan Montyn even more than before that he was an outdoor man, a man that had to roam the fields, and simply couldn't function between the four walls of a factory. Going into hiding and joining the NSB were no options for Jan Montyn. The same friend as before, Hein, who had just signed up for the Navy, provided the last straw. Together with two other boys from Utrecht, Jan Montyn decided to sign up for the Navy as well, which came with forging his necessary father's signature.
   Recruitment posters of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) during World War II |
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[ The German Navy ] 1944
In Mannheim, Germany, Jan Montyn's German war period started. He received a classical seaman training, including rope handling, rope tying, rowing, sailing and deck scrubbing. During the training Jan Montyn got his initial notions of politics. Different men had signed up for different reasons, all having a different objective why to be there. Nationalistic thinkers believed in the Greater Europe, anti-Communists wanted to fight the Communists, adventure seekers, including Jan Montyn, were out for adventure, yet were also in favour of the anti-Communists. The true fanatics among them, like the Partisans, were looked down upon. Navy executives felt the same about them. In general the Navy was rather stand alone and conventional in their behaviour, like saluting in their traditional way, not according to the Hitler salute. Among them were even outspoken Hitler opponents, like the commander. For the first time Jan Montyn was told in a rather profound manner why the war was a mistake and what a mess politics brings. Although understanding more, Jan Montyn and the others were now part of the war and a choice had to be made on where to serve. For Jan Montyn and the others the choice was relatively easy. Fighting against the Americans or British in the West was simply not an option. Fighting against the Communists in the East was the logical thing to do.
On a minesweeper in the Baltic Sea 1944
After the training was completed, Jan Montyn and his three comrades were put to work on a minesweeper to escort transport ships from Riga. After two weeks a torpedo hit them. Hein and Jan Montyn survived; the two boys from Utrecht drowned.
| In the trenches of Courland 1944 As war was coming to an end, not many other ships were around anymore. Hein and Jan Montyn were assigned to work on land. Via Danzig they arrived in the Baltic state, Courland, near the city Libau. The Germans had entrenched themselves to protect a small piece of land they had seized. The scene was like a Verdun trench war, but then in the winter of a land climate. The distance between the German and Russian trenches was ranging from 20 to 200 metres. Mutually bombardments and air attacks were executed, resulting in only few men to survive. Not having had an infantry training, Hein and Jan Montyn were assigned tasks like clearing mines and functioning as shooting target, so the Germans could identify the Russians' artillery's locations. The only thing on Jan Montyn's mind was how he could possibly survive this. Stepping out was not an option. Crossing an imaginary line by not more than 10 steps without a valid reason would result in the German Feldgendarmerie hanging you for desertion. So in front were the Russians, in the back the Germans. You were simply stuck between the two of them. Hein died in Courland. Not long after that Jan Montyn was struck on his head, likely hit by a shell fragment, while getting food in one of the mess tins. Birt Casualty of war 1944 When Jan Montyn woke up he was lying in the field hospital with a heavy concussion, severe head wound and second-degree freezing of hands and feet as a result of the extreme cold. Still being a seaman, from the field hospital Jan Montyn was moved to the navy hospital in Libau. There it was complete chaos. A doctor in Libau however looked after Jan Montyn and had him placed on a vessel filled with refugees and casualties. Before the vessel had the chance to leave the harbour a torpedo hit it. The same doctor that got Jan Montyn on the vessel pulled him into a sloop. From the sloop Jan Montyn was put into a huge ship, which he guessed was carrying six to seven thousand people. Jan Montyn was lying below deck, close to the bottom of the ship. While just lying there the ship ended up in a minefield. The only thing Jan Montyn could do was think that any torpedo or mine would mean the end. Escape was simply not possible. The trip lasted for two days and two nights. Return to Oudewater IV, short visit 1945 Back on land Jan Montyn was transferred to a hospital near the Danish border. Surprisingly his hands and feet recovered fast. Jan Montyn ended up being lame in one if the legs though, which prevented him from being assigned again. Although the doctors intended to send Jan Montyn to a nursing home, he chose to go back to The Netherlands. The doctors provided Jan Montyn with a declaration that he was disabled, but an entry pass into The Netherlands could not be provided, which automatically made him a deserter if he would be caught. Jan Montyn took the risk of going back. After surviving a crossing of the border in a mailbag, lying on an ammunition train, walking for the remainder with a lame leg and a check by four high ranked military officers, who accepted the story that he had lost all his papers, Jan Montyn was dropped off in Oudewater by the same officers. In Oudewater he immediately received the message that he had to report. After reporting in Woerden, Jan Montyn was given a ten-day leave, after which he had to report back. Not reporting would be considered deserting. In Oudewater, resistance 1945 While being in Oudewater Jan Montyn was pulled into the local war situation. People who had joined the resistance requested Jan Montyn to return to fight the communists. He was also asked for weapons and distribution coupons. Jan Montyn managed to pinch a large amount of coupons for fuel, butter and other goods. People in the resistance used them and so did elderly people in Oudewater who were in a bad state. |
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 The "Kriegsmarine" |
Bombardment of Dresden 1945
After reporting ten days later, Jan Montyn received a ticket to Klagenfurt to become part of a new unit. After a trip of two weeks Jan Montyn reported at the barracks, where it once more was a complete mess. Young people as of fourteen, elderly people of sixty and above, wounded, cripples, it had all brought together here to form new troops. Jan Montyn's commander was nineteen years old. He turned out to be very competent in his profession. Time for training and guidance was not available. Jan Montyn and his new colleagues were straight away put on a train to Berlin. The train never made it to Berlin. While waiting at the main train station in Dresden bombardments started that completely burned down Dresden. The whole town was on fire. Jan Montyn spent four days in Dresden, providing help where possible.
On the Oder, one on one combat to death 1945
The next assignment was at the river Oder, where Germans had regained a piece of land from the Russians. On location, the Oder was quite wide and between the two sides a whole range of islands were located. By using boats, both sides occupied the islands on and off. Jan Montyn was assigned to do scouting expeditions, mainly on his own. One of the expeditions resulted in Jan Montyn's most dramatic experience ever during any and all of the wars. While penetrating one of the islands and looking through the reed, Jan Montyn spotted a Russian who was doing exactly the same as he was doing. From a distance of ten to twelve meters the two of them spotted each other at the same time. Straight away they knew that one of them would not survive. A one on one combat followed, lasting for an hour or so. At the end Jan Montyn hit the Russian. When Jan Montyn approached him, he was dead.
Village rescue against Russians 1945
When the Russians pressed forward, time had come to flee to the West, from the Oder to the Elbe. While on the run occasionally villages needed protection for evacuation. Together with two other soldiers, an older one and one of fifteen years old, a German boy, Jan Montyn ended up protecting a village. It was evening and the three were ordered to occupy an access road to the village till nine o'clock in the morning, which would allow the relocation of a field hospital. The Russians came in big numbers, suddenly and quickly. Behind the three, signal flares were lit to help them locate the Russians. There were two battalions of in total about sixteen hundred soldiers. The three managed to keep them away from the village for one more hour. Ultimately, only Jan Montyn survived. Whether any Russians had died, Jan Montyn didn't know. Once returned to the village, it was empty.
Run from Oder to Elbe 1945
The remainder of the war consisted of running. Bypassing the Feldgendarmerie would still get you killed as a deserter, so one could not run too fast. Jan Montyn's nineteen-year old commander helped them in doing so. Successfully they made it to the Elbe, where the Americans made them prisoners of war. Ultimately, during the retreat four out of the two hundred and ten made it.
Prisoner of War I 1945
Together with about thirty thousand others, Jan Montyn was a POW, stationed in a provisional camp in the open air. The only thought on his mind and on everybody else's was "I survived".
Escape from POW camp 1945
Together with a French boy who had a Flemish mother, and thus spoke reasonable Dutch, Jan Montyn fled the camp. The feeling of "I have to leave this place" occurred after ten days. By then Jan Montyn had managed to recover from the exhausting run from the Oder to the Elbe.
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Together with his French ally, Jan Montyn roamed the country. Each time someone would ask a question about Jan Montyn, the Frenchman would point to his forehead, signaling that Jan Montyn was a bit crazy. Ultimately the two ended up in Marseille, where Jan Montyn without thinking signed up for the Foreign Legion. Four days later Jan Montyn was in Algeria. During two months Jan Montyn was trained to become a parachutist. Jan Montyn had signed for the war against Japan, which was still ongoing. After the training Jan Montyn was assigned to escort legionnaires to Marseille, who went there for re-examination. In Marseille Jan Montyn decided to desert, there and then, not knowing that two atomic bombs would be dropped on Japan later.
Marseille, Red Light District 1945
Jan Montyn ended up in the red light district where an Algerian lady looked after him. It lasted a few weeks during which Jan Montyn heard more and more about the war, partly as translated by the Algerian lady. One day, no particular day, Jan Montyn decided it was time to go, in his own style, without any particular destination. Going home was in his mind, but the timing was not final. Feelings of genuine guilt started occupying Jan Montyn's mind.
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Prisoner of War II 1946 - 1948
Jan Montyn went back and had just crossed the German border for about ten minutes when he was picked up by the American Military Police (MP). When they asked for his papers, Jan Montyn didn't even try to resist. He just gave them the set of papers he had and that was it. Via several temporary camps, Jan Montyn finally ended up in the camp Neuengamme, where an English/Canadian security ruled in a very stringent manner. People got tortured in the traditional way, just for nothing, and were put in front of a fire squad, to be shot at with blanks. The experience was like you were truly dying. Jan Montyn went through it twice. Ultimately the Dutch Military Police came to fetch Jan Montyn and others. They were taken to Vught, a prisoner camp. In those days severe punishments were given from life sentence to death penalty. Via another number of temporary camps Jan Montyn ended up in the youth prison camp in Scheveningen, together with about fifteen hundred other minors. Each day several of the prisoners were prosecuted by the magistrate of the juvenile court and each time the sentence was the same: three years re-education camp. One had to be last, which turned out to be Jan Montyn. Also he got three years re-education camp. Jan Montyn ended up in Katwijk, in an open environment in which the evenings were off and the weekends free to go home. Most POWs got clemency after six months detention for good behaviour. Due to an incident with a girlfriend one day, which resulted in Jan Montyn reporting too late, he ended up doing all three years. Jan Montyn was transferred to Nunspeet to complete his time, which he did.
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During one of his holidays in Greece Jan Montyn unexpectedly ended up in the local civil war. Where possible, he helped out, especially bandaging wounded people. Via Saloniki Jan Montyn ended up on a small island, where he managed to get a lift with an American water plane. In the plane were about forty people, mostly farmers with baskets filled with chicken, tomatoes and other good. It was Jan's first flight in life and it immediately resulted in his first crash. One of the airplanes' floats fell off and the plane was instantaneously crooked. After circling for four hours to drop the gas, an emergency landing was executed. Jan Montyn was tasked to open the porthole immediately after landing and to assist in taking out passengers. The crash on water was harder than Jan Montyn could ever have imagined. The water was as hard as steel, or even harder. Despite banging his head severely, Jan Montyn still managed to open the porthole. The people were taken out of the plane and put on boats. Everybody was transferred to an American base on one of the Yugoslavian islands, where everybody, including Jan Montyn, was treated as people rescued from a drowning. A package of cigarettes a day, shaving knives, a dollar pocket money a day, new clothes, widely legged herringbones, pointed shoes, a white shawl, Jan Montyn got it all. After several days he was put on a plane to Schiphol, Amsterdam, which took him home. For once Jan Montyn tasted how it was to be rich.
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[ The Korean War ] 1950 -1953
Although he truly tried to stay in Oudewater this time, after two years Jan Montyn's feeling of unrest re-emerged. He simply couldn't cope with living in Oudewater, nor with working in his father's business. Jan Montyn decided to sign up for the Korean war, a war sanctioned by the UN; his main reason was that of redemption. Furthermore, he wanted to break free from the past, the Netherlands, Oudewater, from everything. His father immediately decided to sell the business.
In 1950, on the way to Korea Jan Montyn visited Thailand for the first time. The Korean war itself lasted briefly for Jan Montyn. The second time he was hit in an ambush, which was shortly after the first one, he was wounded severely. Jan Montyn ended up spending most of his time in field hospitals.
From Korea Jan Montyn was transferred to Japan, where he ended up getting married to the daughter of a high ranked Japanese samurai, a colonel of the former imperial army. The marriage lasts four months. In Japan Jan Montyn made his first visits to shrines in Nara and Kyoto. The Japanese gardens and shrines had a huge impact on him.
Medals of honour 1953
From Japan, Jan Montyn was transferred back to the United Kingdom with an English hospital ship. After spending some more time in a hospital in Birmingham, Jan Montyn was flown back to Valkenburg, The Netherlands, with a Dokata. In Valkenburg he received medals of honour for his duty in Korea. At his arrival in Oudewater, together with a friend, the local brass band had turned out and the mayor had prepared a speech. The council was present as well. Jan Montyn and his friend had however already entered the local pub, and only came out when completely drunk, this to the dislike of Jan Montyn's parents.
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Sergeant and instructor of the grenadier regiment of guards 1953 - 1954
Jan Montyn was crippled and no longer available for active duty. He was however not dismissed and stayed in duty as professional soldier. He ended up being trained as military inspector in Weert, The Netherlands. The training lasted one and a half years. Jan Montyn was sent off holding the rank of sergeant, after which he was appointed instructor of the grenadier regiment of guards, her Majesty's corps of honour. Being in the middle of a gay period, Jan Montyn rather spent time making love with the recruits than teaching them how to handle a gun. Jan Montyn also spent time drawing and painting. He even sold art works now and then. One day the commander, Taets van Amerongen, approached Jan Montyn to request him to resurrect the museum of the regiment of guards. During the war the museum was cleaned out and the objects were divided among the folks, to prevent them from being confiscated by the Germans. Jan Montyn was appointed curator of the grenadier regiment of guards' museum, the then youngest in The Netherlands.
Curator of the grenadier regiment of guards' museum 1954 - 1956
As a curator, Jan Montyn was tasked to trace, expand, rubricate, repair and exhibit the museum objects. Jan Montyn fully resurrected the museum of the regiment of guards. He collected and restored uniforms, old weapons, utensils and tin cans of the 'Ten Day Field Battle' up to the food case of King Willem III. Jan Montyn also restored paintings. In his role Jan Montyn got to know all the elite, including the Prince of the Netherlands. Being completely free in all his actions, Jan Montyn also started selling paintings to himself. Furthermore, he began forging paintings, which he sold to the elite of The Netherlands. It was getting from bad to worse. So far Jan Montyn had not been able to talk with anyone about his war experiences, and the war neurosis started rearing its head. It came with extreme nightmares. The frustration of being affectionate to men made it even worse. Also that was something that couldn't easily be shared with others in these days. To cope with his intensifying madness, Jan Montyn threw party after party, spending loads of money. After completing his assignment, Jan Montyn was appointed advisor to the museum of the Marine Corps.
Advisor to the museum of the Marine Corps 1956 - 1957
As advisor to the museum of the Marine Corps, Jan Montyn was able to continue his eccentric life. Occasionally he spent up to twenty thousand Dutch guilders during visits to antique dealers. The most fancy parties were organized for the elite in the South of the Netherlands. Money was not an issue. Jan Montyn organized everything, from catering, music, drinks to hookers, both men and women, from Brussels and Antwerp. Some of those parties lasted three days and three nights. During the same period, in swimming pool 'De IIzeren Man' in Vught one was fined for sitting closer than 2 meters from a girl. Jan Montyn himself was getting crazier with the day. Day and night Jan Montyn would walk around and sleep in his tuxedo. Although every morning he would wear a clean white shirt, the smoking was getting filthier with the day. Jan Montyn was also getting more aggressive and suicidal. In moments of insanity he would tear down the whole place and beat people up severely. At moments he would go to the railway to lay his head on the rail, and would pull back his head only seconds before the train passed by. This behaviour lasted for several weeks. As a result of complete black-outs at certain moments he would wake up remembering nothing.
| Jan Montyn, second left, at a military party |
Arrested by the Military Police 1957
During the morning of one the parties the Military Police showed up. The elite, many as drunk as Jan Montyn himself, ran off within seconds. Jan Montyn was sitting in a pond, completely naked, with on one side of his lap a girl and the other side a boy, while the orchestra was playing in the background, also completely drunk. Jan Montyn was arrested for sexual abuse of minors. During one of nightly visits of the boys in the barracks, whil he was drunk, Jan Montyn had slid into the wrong bed. The particular boy had reported the incident. Within a short timeframe Jan Montyn's small empire collapsed. He chose to confess to the Military Police, which caused a huge sigh of relief throughout the barracks.
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In custody and military mental hospital 1957
Jan Montyn was put in prison. While being there, Jan Montyn restored a painting of Van Ostade, commissioned by a German museum. After completing the job, Jan Montyn was completely empty. There was nothing more he wanted to do and had to do. An attempt to commit suicide was the result. When he regained consciousness a psychiatrist introduced himself. In the meantime Jan Montyn had been transferred to the military mental hospital in Utrecht. In a spontaneous sudden burst of anger Jan Montyn almost killed the psychiatrist. The next moment Jan Montyn woke up he was tied into a straitjacket. Another psychiatrist introduced himself. After taking a good look at him, Jan Montyn told the psychiatrist to untie him. After a minute of silence the psychiatrist untied Jan Montyn. During the subsequent walk the psychiatrist requested Jan Montyn to write down his experiences. Jan Montyn was given a room where he could paint and write. Nine months of writing followed, all memories in all details, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Each time Jan Montyn finished a page, he would take it to the same place to lie it down. Every now and then the psychiatrist would come and collect it. One day Jan Montyn wrote, "This is my last word" and put an end to the writing. The psychiatrist recommended Jan Montyn to publish the story. Jan Montyn didn't like the idea. Later on he decided to burn the papers. It was time for a new beginning.
Study object for international psychiatry class 1957
A few weeks after completing the story, Jan Montyn's psychiatrist informed him that the head of psychiatry had read the papers and would like Jan Montyn to be a study object for an international psychiatry class, which was attended by hundreds mainly foreign military psychiatrists. Jan Montyn consented and, as a product of those days, answered numerous questions that were posed, without being disconcerted.
Discharged from military mental hospital, but not departed 1958
Jan Montyn was given a clean bill of health by the head of psychiatry and was allowed to go. Being able to work, paint, draw, and be among nice people, including crazy people, made Jan Montyn very comfortable in his surroundings. He decided not to go and ended up staying another year.
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Court-martial with S-5 1957
Although time had passed, Jan Montyn had still to come before the court-martial. He was not looking forward to appear dressed up to the nines, and asked his psychiatrist whether he could wear his casual clothing. The psychiatrist replied with "Yes, you can. You have been declared unfit. You have S-5". Jan Montyn's reply was "Does that mean that the Military Police will not arrest me and put me in jail again?" The psychiatrist confirmed several times that this was the case, to the utter relief of Jan Montyn. Jan Montyn was terrified that he would be jailed again. In order to show respect to the court-martial, Jan Montyn decided to cut off his hair, which by now had grown to his waist. Completely bold he came before the court-martial. His legal aid counsel appeared not to be a smart man and instructed Jan Montyn to reply with "Yes" to any question. Jan Montyn informed his lawyer that he would defend himself. The hearing was opened and the doors were closed. When the counsel approached, Jan Montyn was totally surprised to see a high-ranking military man who had with great joy taken part in many of Jan Montyn's parties. Throughout the hearing the man sat there red faced. The summons was read. The list was long, very long. Vice with minors, both male and female, theft of public property, flogging of public property, major violence, insult of civil servants, bribery of civil servants, it just went on and on. Upon completion of reading the charges, Jan Montyn was asked what he could plead as defence. Jan Montyn's reply was short: "S-5". The counsel retreated for one and a half hours. Jan Montyn was extremely nervous. Via the Military Police Jan Montyn had heard that two officers, fellow partygoers, were jailed for respective two and six years. When the counsel returned all members were red-faced. Nobody knew and will ever know what was discussed. The suspect was condemned a jail sentence of the same period as the custody, which was four weeks. Jan Montyn was free, and wasn't even dismissed in disgrace! On the question whether Jan Montyn had any comments or would desire to appeal, which needed notification within 24 hours, in the spur of the moment Jan Montyn replied that he would not appeal. He would sue the Kingdom of the Netherlands for being dismissed with S-5, after joining the army with S-1, thus for inflicting mental damage. The trial lasted a year. This was the same extra year, Jan Montyn stayed in the mental hospital. Time after time Jan Montyn was instructed to come to the Hague. It just went on. Ultimately Jan Montyn won the case. The verdict was free health care for life, also for family to be, and an inflation proof pension.
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Detained in South Vietnam 1968
Close to the end of the Vietnam war Jan Montyn was in Vientiane, Laos, and wanted to go to Vietnam. He was informed that a patrol of the Pathet Lao would go down the Mekong river. Jan Montyn arranged that he could join. Due to an enormous chaos, related to the Tet offensive, Jan Montyn lost the patrol. Jan Montyn didn't have an idea where he was. He wasn't even sure that he was still in Vietnam. Suddenly he bumped into the South Vietnamese Military Police, which was serious. South Vietnamese MP were known for being radical. In reply to their question what he was doing here, Jan Montyn replied that he was a Dutch graphic artist, just roaming the country. The story wasn't bought. The MP insisted on knowing where Jan Montyn came from and how he entered the country. Jan Montyn replied that he came from Danang. Upon checking his passport, the MP discovered that there was no entry stamp. Jan Montyn was hand cuffed, blindfolded, transported and thrown into a small shack. Jan Montyn spent a night in the shack, literally sitting on dung. The next morning Jan Montyn was interrogated by an American lieutenant. The whole scene was chaotic. Bombardments, airplanes, helicopters, it went on day and night. Later that day, Jan Montyn was cuffed, blindfolded, transported and thrown into a bamboo shack, again sitting on dung. He spent two days and nights in the shack without any food and drinks. Jan Montyn himself wasn't hurt, but left and right people were executed and tortured. After two days the American lieutenant showed up again to interrogate Jan Montyn. A few hours later Jan Montyn was thrown onto a Jeep, totally convinced time had come to die. Danang had just fallen and the Americans were extremely nervous. Upon his question where he would be taken to, the American lieutenant replied "the airport". Jan Montyn was certain the lieutenant was lying. Several hours later however, Jan Montyn was boarding the plane to Bangkok, still smelling like dung. Many South Vietnamese that were fleeing the country were also boarding. During heavy bombardments around Saigon the plane departed for Bangkok.
In the tunnels of Cu Chi, Vietnam 1969
The Vietnamese fighting the Americans was like bare fists fighting the latest available electronic technology. The Americans didn't hold back in using any means to beat the Vietnamese. Here Jan Montyn would be on a hill enjoying the sound of silence of the heavenly and peaceful valley with in the middle a small kampong. Suddenly, without any forewarning, this kampong with palm trees, cabins, people, and children turned into one red fireball. First blood-red, then black. Everything collapsed and a completely dead spot remained. Only then the missile would be heard. Only then the plane would be heard. During several of such bombings Jan Montyn, together with the locals, was hiding in the tunnels of Cu Chi. It was the only way to survive the bombings. The tunnels were like rabbit holes, sometimes ten metres under the ground. Lying there was like dying, especially if you were claustrophobic as Jan Montyn. There was also the fear the whole construction would collapse. During such bombardments the hill was truly shaking to its foundations. Another fear was that a napalm or phosphor bomb would explode close to the entrance. Such a bomb would take so much oxygen from the air that anyone's lungs would be torn. The bodies would still remain entirely intact, but everybody was dead. After leaving the tunnels after several hours - the glowing would go on for hours - you would find nothing left but a treeless moonscape, completely dead as a result of the chemicals, the napalm, the phosphor, the defoliants.
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Korea, child transports 1970
On request of acquaintances Jan Montyn revisited South East Asia to accompany a child transport. As part of the transport one would receive a free ticket, would spend a few weeks at location to get matters organized and would return with a group of adopted children. Jan Montyn ended up accompanying child transports until 1978.
[ Temple retreat ] 1970 - RECENTLY
To cope with all the terrors, to 'mentally clean himself', Jan Montyn visited temples. This was sometimes the Zen-shrine in Japan, yet mostly the Buddhist temples in Thailand or Nepal. Jan Montyn just went there, got a small room or a mattress in a ward. Staying at a temple meant following the rhythm of the monks, which meant getting up at 5am, meditating, collecting food in villages in the neighbourhood, eating once a day at 11am, meditating and to bed early. Smoking and sex are not allowed.
Temples in Thailand
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