Niels Nielsen Kjær (2 April 1903 – 29 June 1944) was a member of the Danish resistance executed by the German occupying power.

Biography

In addition to being a member of the Hvidsten group Kjær was also a radio dealer.

Niels Nielsen Kjær

The group helped the British Special Operations Executive parachute weapons and supplies into Denmark for distribution to the resistance.

Niels Nielsen Kjær

In March 1944 the Gestapo made an "incredible number of arrests" including in the region of Randers where a number of members of the Hvidsten group were arrested.

Niels Nielsen Kjær

The following month De frie Danske reported that several arrestees from Hvidsten had been transferred from Randers to Vestre Fængsel.

On 29 June 1944 Kjær and seven other members of the Hvidsten group were executed in Ryvangen.

After his death

On 15 July 1944, De frie Danske reported on the execution of several members of the Hvidsten group. Six months later the January 1945 issue of the resistance newspaper Frit Danmark (Free Denmark) reported that on 29 June the previous year Kjær and seven other named members of the Hvidsten group had been executed.

In 1945 a memorial stone over the eight executed members of the Hvidsten group was raised near Hvidsten Inn.

Similarly, a larger memorial stone for resistance members including the eight executed members of the Hvidsten group has been laid down in Ryvangen Memorial Park.

Portrayal in the media

In the 2012 Danish drama film Hvidsten Gruppen (This Life) Niels Nielsen Kjær is portrayed by Niels Lund Boesen (as Niels Boesen).

References

1903 births

1944 deaths

Danish people executed by Nazi Germany

Danish people of World War II

Danish resistance members

Resistance members killed by Nazi Germany