In Wons is a monument to the Canadian regiment Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. This regiment was responsible for the liberation of Wons on April 16, 1945.
After Sneek was liberated, the Canadian Regiment Queens Own Rifles advanced to the Afsluitdijk, where German troops had set up positions to prevent the crossing by the Canadians and to try to create a corridor through which German soldiers could escape from North Holland to Friesland.
After a short firefight, this Canadian regiment was able to enter Wons and attack the German positions at the Afsluitdijk. Once they arrived at the Afsluitdijk, the Canadians encountered so much resistance that reinforcements were needed. Especially the German machine gun fire and the presence of a cannon caused many problems. Two Canadian vehicles were also knocked-out and a number of Canadians from the Queens Own Rifles were killed.
With the help of Canadian artillery and grenades, the German positions at the Afsluitdijk could be knocked out. The longest and fiercest battle in Friesland was therefore fought at the Kop van de Afsluitdijk. Some of the Canadians were killed, of which six are commemorated with a memorial stone at the Martinikerk in Sneek.
