Christiaan Lindemans
Christiaan Antonius Lindemans (24 October 1912 – 18 July 1946) was a Dutch double agent during the Second World War, working under Soviet control. Otherwise known as Freddi Desmet, a Belgian army officer and SOE agent with security clearance at the Dutch Military Intelligence Division of the SOE (MID/SOE). He was known by the soubriquets "King Kong" (for his height and build) or in some circles as "le Tueur" ("The Killer") as he was reportedly ready to shoot at the slightest provocation. There is speculation that Lindemans was a member of Colonel Claude Dansey's Z organisation.
Christiaan Lindemans | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 October 1912 Rotterdam, The Netherlands |
| Died | 18 July 1946 (aged 33) Scheveningen, The Netherlands |
| Cause of death | Suicide (drug overdose) |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Other names | Freddi Desmet |
| Occupation(s) | Motor engineer, double agent |
| Spouse | Gilberte Yvonne Letuppe (m. 1941) |
| Children | 2 |
He has been blamed for betraying Operation Market Garden and as a result helped the Germans win the battle of Arnhem in 1944. The loss of this battle prolonged the war for six months and allowed the Red Army to enter Berlin first.
Krist, as he was called by comrades, had worked for the Allies, being personally responsible for the death of at least twenty-seven Germans during the guerrilla war in the outskirts of Antwerp.