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649 to 672 of 2324 results
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Yachtcharter Sneek
Yachtcharter Sneek
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De Mindfulgids
De Mindfulgids
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De Wolvetinte
De Wolvetinte
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The battle for the Tjonger bridge in Mildam
The battle for the Tjonger bridge in Mildam
In the afternoon of 12 April, rumours had reached Mildam that Englishmen or perhaps Canadians had been sighted at Peperga. The Canadian vanguards had entered Friesland. For the inhabitants of Mildam it was still a surprise when at first one and shortly afterwards another military vehicle with a few men in khaki-coloured overalls stopped at the bridge.
These vehicles were part of a patrol of "D" Squadron Royal Canadian Dragoons commanded by Lieutenant Homer Thomas. These Canadians established that unlike other bridges, the bridge in Mildam over the Tjonger had not yet been blown up by the occupying forces. The fact that the Tjonger bridge in Mildam had not been destroyed was due to the local resistance movement. The Germans had indeed planned to blow up this bridge as well. But at the risk of their own lives, resistance fighters had removed the detonators from the explosives affixed to the bridge.
The Squadron Commander immediately ordered all units to secure the bridge. And the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces were also requested to provide men. The precautions turned out to be justified. In the night of 12 to 13 April, German troops launched one of their few counter-attacks in the province of Friesland. From Heerenveen, they managed to surprise the Canadians in Mildam. They tried to regain control of the bridge three times. During the fierce fighting, Canadian vehicles were knocked out. But the Dragoons stood firm, and the Germans were driven off again. Mildam was freed.Four Canadian soldiers were injured in the fighting. The number of casualties on the German side is unknown. There was property damage in Mildam, but no civilians were killed. With a little less luck, though, there would have been several Dutch casualties. In the early morning of 13 April, a group of dozens of resistance fighters approached the bridge at dusk from the direction of Nieuweschoot. This was the reinforcement requested by the Canadians on 12 April when the undamaged bridge was discovered. The resistance fighters were partly carrying captured German weapons and were not noticed by the Dragoons in the semi-darkness until late.
Lieutenant Thomas, mentioned earlier, almost gave the order to open fire. It was only at the last moment that it became clear that they were not Germans. The resistance members had managed to make themselves known by singing songs in English.
The preservation of the bridge was important. During the following days, the Canadians would make extensive use of the bridge to advance further in the direction of Leeuwarden and liberate the province of Friesland.
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Wetterkr8 Suptours
Wetterkr8 Suptours
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Sail-a-way Sneekermeer - Appartement 8-1
Sail-a-way Sneekermeer - Appartement 8-1
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Alpherbosch & Large Pond
Alpherbosch & Large Pond
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It Breahûs Church
It Breahûs Church
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The Waag building is on fire
The Waag building is on fire
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Vakantiehuisjes Marsherne - Tiny house Protter
Vakantiehuisjes Marsherne - Tiny house Protter
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Museum De Tiid
Museum De Tiid
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Beach Resorts Makkum - Duinvilla 6 personen
Beach Resorts Makkum - Duinvilla 6 personen
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Het Koetshuis
Het Koetshuis
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Stichting Beleef IJlst
Stichting Beleef IJlst
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Camping Oan 'e Poel
Camping Oan 'e Poel
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Zondag aan zee
Zondag aan zee
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Watervillapark Idskenhuizen - Nije Dei
Watervillapark Idskenhuizen - Nije Dei
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Pingjumer Gulden Halsband inner dike
Pingjumer Gulden Halsband inner dike
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Nij Wybranda - de Mielgong
Nij Wybranda - de Mielgong
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Oosterschar Nature Reserve
Oosterschar Nature Reserve
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Hotel de Wijnberg - Tweepersoonskamer
Hotel de Wijnberg - Tweepersoonskamer
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In de Brouwerij
In de Brouwerij
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It Frysk Skildershûs
It Frysk Skildershûs
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Vakantiehuisjes Marsherne - Tjalk Wuta
Vakantiehuisjes Marsherne - Tjalk Wuta
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