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2209 to 2232 of 2312 results
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Vakantiewoning Wieldyk
Vakantiewoning Wieldyk
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Camping Oan 'e Poel
Camping Oan 'e Poel
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Smakelijk
Smakelijk
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Hindeloopen (Hylpen)
Hindeloopen (Hylpen)
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City Walk Dokkum
City Walk Dokkum
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Time travel through lakes and Gaasterland
Time travel through lakes and Gaasterland
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Museum de Grutterswinkel
Museum de Grutterswinkel
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Rent to Enjoy - Glamtainer Out of the box
Rent to Enjoy - Glamtainer Out of the box
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Beach Resorts Makkum - Schakel+ 6 persoons
Beach Resorts Makkum - Schakel+ 6 persoons
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REM Yachtcharter - Motorjacht Geminus
REM Yachtcharter - Motorjacht Geminus
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Zijda Yachting - Jordy Elite
Zijda Yachting - Jordy Elite
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Soestpolder Nature Reserve
Soestpolder Nature Reserve
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Frisian Guide Agency
Frisian Guide Agency
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Eco-Cathedral Project in Mildam
Eco-Cathedral Project in Mildam
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Eetcafé De Visserman
Eetcafé De Visserman
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The liberation of Leeuwarden
The liberation of Leeuwarden
On 11 April 1945, it became clear that German resistance in the north of the Netherlands was limited. On 12 April, the Allies seized this opportunity to advance on Friesland as quickly as possible. One of the main goals was to liberate Leeuwarden. The 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade was designated for this purpose. But things would turn out differently.
On 12 April, the Royal Canadian Dragoons entered Friesland at Noordwolde. They were to conduct reconnaissance with their armoured vehicles and reach the Wadden Sea as quickly as possible. As a result, the German troops in Friesland and Groningen would be separated.
On the night of 14 to 15 April, three Squadrons of the Dragoons were at Suameer. Burgum could not be reached earlier that day, because the bridge at Burgummerdam had been blown up by the Germans.
Meanwhile, all sorts of things were happening in nearby Leeuwarden. On 12 April, the airfield had been blown up by the Germans. And they left the city on 14 April. Leeuwarden would not be defended. The Burgerweeshuis (Civil Orphanage) that had housed several German agencies was set on fire. An attempt to blow up the telephone exchange failed due to an ingenious intervention by the resistance. In the early morning of 15 April, the resistance also took to the streets en masse to occupy important points and to capture Germans who had remained behind.
The Dragoons in Suameer were in contact with the resistance in Leeuwarden. Due to various reports, it was unclear whether there was now heavy fighting in Leeuwarden or whether the Germans had left the city completely. Because the Germans had blown up important bridges on the route from Heerenveen to Leeuwarden, the infantry could not quickly provide assistance.
So, the Dragoons went to take a look for themselves. Initially, a patrol of four vehicles was sent via the Groningerstraatweg into the city around half past eleven. One of the Canadians in those vehicles recorded the following:
"As we entered the city, passing through the concrete barrier by the narrow passageway left for normal traffic, we were met by an almost hysterical patrol of Resistance men [...] In a few moments the news of our arrival had spread through the city, and we were given a fantastic welcome as we rolled slowly forward into the centre of town."A resident of Leeuwarden recalled:
"We lived close to the Groningerstraatweg, where our liberators passed. Many hundreds of us stood there, all happy spectators. All of a sudden, two ladies from the row flung themselves forward and threw their arms around the Canadians' necks, saying: "Oh darlings, you’re here at last!"After the patrol determined that the coast was clear, the entire C Squadron, a detachment of the Royal Canadian Engineers and Regimental Headquarters of Lieutenant-Colonel Landell followed. Leeuwarden had been liberated. After this, thousands took to the streets. One of the Canadians wrote:
"We halted, and were immediately surrounded by laughing, yelling mobs of people, bringing flowers to give to us, and cheering every move. The Resistance men were everywhere, doing their best to keep the people within bounds and off the cars, but their efforts were hardly necessary. I never saw a more satisfying gathering in my life."Leeuwarden had been liberated by the Dragoons through unexpected circumstances. On the night of 15 to 16 April, Canadian infantry moved into the city.
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Mem Wedman Hiking Trail
Mem Wedman Hiking Trail
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Zijda Yachting / Marina Jirnsum
Zijda Yachting / Marina Jirnsum
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Sacrifice for freedom
Sacrifice for freedom
Near the crash site, the "Monument to Allied Airmen" was unveiled by the sister of one of the crew members in 2004 as a tribute to the fallen crew. A boulder with a plaque and a panel with background information on what happened keep the memory alive.
Of seven soldiers killed, five were British, one Canadian and one Australian. They were buried side by side. Identical white natural stone tombstones with an embossed emblem and cross have been placed at each grave. The cross is not only a symbol of the Christian faith, but also a reminder of the sacrifice made by war victims for a life of freedom.
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Natuurkampeerterrein minicamping Singel - Camperplaats kleiner dan 5m
Natuurkampeerterrein minicamping Singel - Camperplaats kleiner dan 5m
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Jacobikerk Church
Jacobikerk Church
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Tusken de Marren - Bungalow Eneva 4p
Tusken de Marren - Bungalow Eneva 4p
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Beach Resorts Makkum - Dijkvilla 5 personen
Beach Resorts Makkum - Dijkvilla 5 personen
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Museum 't Ponthús
Museum 't Ponthús
