JAN OLIESLAGERS DEN DUIVEL VAN ANTWERPEN

Published in 2023

Based on more than 500 photos and documents, the authors Frans Mielants and Dirk Buytaert give you an insight into the life and world of world record holder and aviation pioneer Jan Olieslagers.
Born in 1883, in a poor Antwerp family, Jan Olieslagers had to start working at an early age.
After various jobs he ended up at Minerva where he became acquainted with the bicycle and started cycling.
When Minerva started to focus on motorcycles, Jan saw his chance to become proficient in this new sport.
As a factory cyclist, Jan was a welcome figure on the cycling tracks of Zurenborg and Paris, where he achieved glory and fame. As a motorcyclist and pacesetter, he left many of his competitors behind and set a number of world records.
All this did him no harm and when Louis Blériot flew across the Channel in 1909, Jan’s interest in the new sport was immediately aroused. When Antwerp organized its first flying week that same year, Jan was of course a candidate to participate. It was the beginning of a short but fantastic flying career. Jan traveled all over Europe with his plane to participate in well-paid flying demonstrations. He was the first pilot to fly over the African continent.
At the outbreak of the First World War, he did not hesitate to put himself, with his aircraft, at the service of the military government.
With six victories, Jan belongs to the select group of Belgian air aces.
After the war, the airfield becomes quieter; the big flying weeks with big prize pools are then over. There are plenty of pilots then. But Jan remains committed to aviation and is one of the promoters of the Antwerp airport.
After a lingering illness, Jan dies in Berchem in 1942