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FrieWheelers Friesland
FrieWheelers Friesland
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Stichting Praamvaren Leeuwarden
Stichting Praamvaren Leeuwarden
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Jack & Jacky's
Jack & Jacky's
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St. Mary's Church in Oentsjerk
St. Mary's Church in Oentsjerk
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Scoop Icecream
Scoop Icecream
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The Launch 't Hoekje
The Launch 't Hoekje
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Familieboten - Friendship
Familieboten - Friendship
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11Fountains Sneek
11Fountains Sneek
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RCN de Potten - Mobil home de Klipper
RCN de Potten - Mobil home de Klipper
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Waterrecreatie Syperda - Lofthus
Waterrecreatie Syperda - Lofthus
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B&B Gaasterland-Hoeve 44 - Kamer Lemmerzicht
B&B Gaasterland-Hoeve 44 - Kamer Lemmerzicht
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De Kan Hoeve - Vakantiehuisje 1
De Kan Hoeve - Vakantiehuisje 1
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Kampeerplaats
Kampeerplaats
Sustainability info
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Recreatiebedrijf Gouden Plakje - Glampingtent
Recreatiebedrijf Gouden Plakje - Glampingtent
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Baard
Baard
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Jachthaven Hoora Heeg - Maxus 22
Jachthaven Hoora Heeg - Maxus 22
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Natuurkampeerterrein minicamping Singel - Trekkershut
Natuurkampeerterrein minicamping Singel - Trekkershut
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Visitor Centre and Tourist Office Stavoren
Visitor Centre and Tourist Office Stavoren
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Luxe appartement
Luxe appartement
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Appartementenboerderij De Gelukskever - Boerderij Loft
Appartementenboerderij De Gelukskever - Boerderij Loft
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Lutz Watervilla's - Wettervilla Twa
Lutz Watervilla's - Wettervilla Twa
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Cornwerdermolen
Cornwerdermolen
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Groote Brekken
Groote Brekken
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Ambush at Oldeholtpade
Ambush at Oldeholtpade
On 12 April, the bridge over the Tjonger in Mildam fell into the hands of the Royal Canadian Dragoons reconnaissance regiment. Because the occupier had blown up many other bridges, the Canadians attached great importance to preserving this bridge for the crossing of other Canadian units. That is why dozens of armoured cars, mobile artillery guns and numerous other vehicles were sent to Mildam that day to reinforce the bridgehead over the Tjonger.
In one of those armoured cars, a Staghound, was 24-year-old Trooper Wilfred Robert George Berry from Ontario. The young Canadian had volunteered for military service in Europe. And had already fought with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Italy. At the end of February 1945, they were transferred to Northwest Europe.
For Berry, the war ended in Friesland. In Oldeholtpade, on the road to Wolvega, his vehicle drove into an ambush along with at least one other Staghound. In the vicinity of a broken-down German car, German soldiers had hidden with Panzerfausts. The Panzerfaust was a very powerful and easy-to-use anti-tank weapon. The first shot missed, but the second projectile hit the front Staghound, on the side where driver Wilfred Berry was sitting at the time.2 The Staghound went off the road and overturned. The three other crew members got injured, but were able to leave the vehicle and took cover behind the second Staghound. One of them stated:
"[…]Flames burst through the turret, where the officer and I were half in and half out of the hatches. Any skin surface not covered was burned and the flames badly singed our eyebrows, eyelashes, moustaches and hands, sending me and the officer both wounded to the field hospital."3
Immediately after the first Staghound was hit, the second Staghound opened fire on the Germans. Seriously injured, Wilfred Berry remained in the vehicle. After about fifteen minutes of shooting back and forth, the other Staghounds retreated towards Oldeberkoop. The exact reason for this remains unclear. Berry was already dying and was briefly cared for by the elderly Andriesje Dekker-Oosterhof in the vehicle when the shooting had stopped. The tragedy had unfolded right in front of her house. He died in the wreck shortly afterwards.
Berry's remains were eventually transferred to the farm on "De Bult" in Oldeberkoop and buried there. After the war he would be reburied at the Canadian war cemetery in Holten. The other crew members were eventually able to return to their units after receiving medical treatment. The commander only had burns on his face.
The event made a deep impression on the inhabitants of Oldeholtpade. In 1945, a monument to Berry was erected. And in 1965, a street was named in his honour.
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