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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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Julianapark
Julianapark
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Stadslogement De Vooruitgang
Stadslogement De Vooruitgang
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Eysinga State - Boerderijchalet 4-6p
Eysinga State - Boerderijchalet 4-6p
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Kafee It wapen fân Fryslân
Kafee It wapen fân Fryslân
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Camping de Finne - Dome
Camping de Finne - Dome
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Antix Kiteboarding School
Antix Kiteboarding School
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Monument IJsselmeerdijk
Monument IJsselmeerdijk
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Church of Brantgum
Church of Brantgum
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Tweepersoonskamer
Tweepersoonskamer
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de Drijfveer - Friendship 22 Free - Seagull
de Drijfveer - Friendship 22 Free - Seagull
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DOK 5
DOK 5
Sustainability info
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It Suderstrand near Stavoren
It Suderstrand near Stavoren
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Vlindertuin Lemmer
Vlindertuin Lemmer
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Watervilla XXL Terkaple
Watervilla XXL Terkaple
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Grand Café Levels
Grand Café Levels
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Wellekom Watersport - Platbodem zeeschouw Dolfijn
Wellekom Watersport - Platbodem zeeschouw Dolfijn
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Camping de Achte
Camping de Achte
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Klokkenstoel Indijk
Klokkenstoel Indijk
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Special Beer Cafe de Markies
Special Beer Cafe de Markies
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Balklandpark Harlingen
Balklandpark Harlingen
Just behind the sea dike lies Balkland Park. In the past, this was where timber rafters processed wood transported from Scandinavia. Later, the area was transformed into a sports park. Today, Balkland Park is a pleasant place to walk, exercise, and enjoy nature.
Birds in the Park
Thanks to its varied mix of trees, shrubs, grasslands, and water, the park provides an attractive habitat for many bird species. The colourful European goldfinch can be seen here throughout the year, especially among the teasels. In spring, songbirds such as the chiffchaff, willow warbler, and Eurasian blackcap fill the park with their songs. During summer, flowering plants, butterflies, and dragonflies attract attention, while in autumn you may spot woodpeckers, European robins, and goldcrests. With a bit of luck, you might even catch sight of a common kingfisher, common kestrel, or Eurasian sparrowhawk.
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Kampeerboerderij en Camping Ykema
Kampeerboerderij en Camping Ykema
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Minicamping Friesland
Minicamping Friesland
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Information Point Workum (Museum Warkums Erfskip)
Information Point Workum (Museum Warkums Erfskip)
