Locations
505 to 528 of 2355 results
-
Fortuna Vlieland
Fortuna Vlieland
-
Buismanskoai and Dyksfearten Nature Reserves
Buismanskoai and Dyksfearten Nature Reserves
-
Sail-a-way Sneekermeer - Appartement 8-6
Sail-a-way Sneekermeer - Appartement 8-6
Book now
-
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.
-
-
The Lady of Stavoren
The Lady of Stavoren
-
Heegermeer (Hegemer Mar)
Heegermeer (Hegemer Mar)
-
LE 50 - Cruises with the fisherman’s barge
LE 50 - Cruises with the fisherman’s barge
Book now
-
Friese Meren Villa's - Docklodge 36
Friese Meren Villa's - Docklodge 36
Book now
-
Eysinga State - Boerderijchalet 4-6p
Eysinga State - Boerderijchalet 4-6p
Book now
-
Strand bij Slotermeer: De Baaier
Strand bij Slotermeer: De Baaier
-
Zijda Yachting - Archipel Elite
Zijda Yachting - Archipel Elite
Book now
-
Vakantiehuis De Keet
Vakantiehuis De Keet
-
City Walk Dokkum
City Walk Dokkum
-
Vakantiehuisjes Marsherne - Appartement Pastorie Marsherne
Vakantiehuisjes Marsherne - Appartement Pastorie Marsherne
Book now
-
Jachthaven Hoora Heeg
Jachthaven Hoora Heeg
Book now
-
Grand Café De Hofdame
Grand Café De Hofdame
-
B&B Dearsum
B&B Dearsum
-
Public toilet Veemarktplein in Sneek
Public toilet Veemarktplein in Sneek
-
Strandhotel Vigilante - Kamer Zuiderzeezicht
Strandhotel Vigilante - Kamer Zuiderzeezicht
Book now
-
it Dreamlân groupaccommodation
it Dreamlân groupaccommodation
Book now
-
Yachtcharter De Drait Woudsend
Yachtcharter De Drait Woudsend
Book now
-
Van der Valk Hotel Sneek - Deluxe kamer - Boszijde
Van der Valk Hotel Sneek - Deluxe kamer - Boszijde
Sustainability info
Book now
-
Pod Hekkeland
Pod Hekkeland
-
Lunchroom Tramhalteplein
Lunchroom Tramhalteplein
