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Bolwerk Bolsward
Bolwerk Bolsward
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Nijhuizumer theetuin en trekkershutten
Nijhuizumer theetuin en trekkershutten
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Grou railway bridge
Grou railway bridge
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Beetsterzwaag (Beetstersweach)
Beetsterzwaag (Beetstersweach)
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Harbour Crane in Harlingen
Harbour Crane in Harlingen
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Stadslogement Westersingel - Bovenkamer Tuinzicht
Stadslogement Westersingel - Bovenkamer Tuinzicht
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Hoofdstraat Oost 26
Hoofdstraat Oost 26
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Theetuin Kleine-Lijn
Theetuin Kleine-Lijn
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Appartementen Finistère en de Groede
Appartementen Finistère en de Groede
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De Swarte Aernt
De Swarte Aernt
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Odin (voorheen: Bio bij Jansen)
Odin (voorheen: Bio bij Jansen)
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Blessebrugschans
Blessebrugschans
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De Linde
De Linde
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Marboei MB45
Marboei MB45
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Beach Langehoekspôlle
Beach Langehoekspôlle
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Prinsensteeg
Prinsensteeg
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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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Sint-Bonifatiuskerk Damwâld
Sint-Bonifatiuskerk Damwâld
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Jonker Sikke
Jonker Sikke
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Ristorante Pizzeria La Buona Cucina
Ristorante Pizzeria La Buona Cucina
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Ottenhome Heeg- boten - Barkas 1100 C
Ottenhome Heeg- boten - Barkas 1100 C
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Steiger D
Steiger D
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Scaffolding 12 H
Scaffolding 12 H
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Rondvaartbedrijf De Oorden
Rondvaartbedrijf De Oorden
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