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889 to 912 of 2474 results
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Observation Tower Seven
Observation Tower Seven
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Snoozz Hotels - Standaard kamer
Snoozz Hotels - Standaard kamer
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Blazerhaven
Blazerhaven
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Marrenvloot Aquanaut Yachtcharter
Marrenvloot Aquanaut Yachtcharter
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Speelbos Joure
Speelbos Joure
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Bed & Breakfast Joarum
Bed & Breakfast Joarum
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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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Bekema's pôle (FL44)
Bekema's pôle (FL44)
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Harichsterbos
Harichsterbos
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Boerderijhuisje 22
Boerderijhuisje 22
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Podium Explore
Podium Explore
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Wyldemerk
Wyldemerk
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St. Cecilia's Church Oosternijkerk
St. Cecilia's Church Oosternijkerk
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Minicampsite and Tea Garden Slappeterp
Minicampsite and Tea Garden Slappeterp
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Friese Meren Villa's - Premium XL Watervilla (pc19)
Friese Meren Villa's - Premium XL Watervilla (pc19)
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Sanzi Yacht Charter - Lene
Sanzi Yacht Charter - Lene
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The Langweer Mill
The Langweer Mill
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Lionserpolder
Lionserpolder
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Kraanlannen Nature Reserve
Kraanlannen Nature Reserve
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Pip's Delicious
Pip's Delicious
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Houseboat Lemmer
Houseboat Lemmer
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De Leiker
De Leiker
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skûtsje Gudsekop
skûtsje Gudsekop
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Sparkberry
Sparkberry
