Locations
1921 to 1944 of 2312 results
-
Stadsherberg Sneek
Stadsherberg Sneek
Book now
-
The liberation of Friesland 1
The liberation of Friesland 1
In early April, it became clear that the liberation of Friesland was imminent. Although the province had not suffered a real Hunger Winter like other parts of the Netherlands, there were severe shortages of just about everything. And the terror of the occupying forces was growing. This also led to increased resistance against the occupying forces. The battle between the two was tougher than ever in early 1945.
In Friesland, assault groups known as Knokploegen (KP) were responsible for most acts of resistance. But there were other groups too. On the orders of the Dutch government in London, all these groups were merged into the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces (NBS). In Friesland, this happened on 12 December 1944.
The NBS, popularly referred to as the BS, gave the armed resistance an organisation with a clear structure. The NBS was also supposed to play a role in the upcoming liberation. To this end, resistance groups were provided with weapons from autumn 1944. These were dropped from the air.
On 8 April, Radio Orange broadcast the message "The bottle is empty." This was the signal for the NBS to start carrying out sabotage operations 36 hours later. The aim was to make it as difficult as possible for the Germans to defend themselves against the approaching Allied forces.
The resistance did this by putting bridges and railways out of order, blocking waterways and blocking roads. The response of the occupying forces was ruthless. In retaliation, dozens more prisoners were shot at different times and places.Once the Canadians entered Friesland on 12 April, they were supported extremely effectively by the Frisian resistance. Because it was superbly organised, they were able to help the Canadians take control of important bridges, repair damaged bridges, and advise on the most favourable route.
By 18 April, the whole province was liberated except for the Wadden Islands (these were liberated in late May and in June). Compared to other provinces, there was little fighting in Friesland. Overall, the few thousand German troops who had been unable to flee Friesland were defeated by the Canadians relatively quickly.
The commander of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Landell, praised the actions of the resistance by stating "Friesland liberated herself." While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, the actions of the Frisian resistance undoubtedly accelerated the liberation. And reduced the number of casualties on the Allied side.
In confrontations with German troops and their Dutch accomplices, at least 31 resistance fighters lost their lives. On the Allied side, at least eleven Canadians and one Frenchman were killed. The fighting and shelling also resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. The number of casualties on the German side is not known, but probably ran into the hundreds. With 320 houses destroyed and 4,000 damaged and 80 bridges destroyed, Friesland was materially the least damaged province in the Netherlands.
-
-
Heegermeer (Hegemer Mar)
Heegermeer (Hegemer Mar)
-
Nijega Skieppekamp Pumping Station
Nijega Skieppekamp Pumping Station
-
Yucatán
Yucatán
-
dbieb
dbieb
-
Occupation of the Blesse bridge by the NBS
Occupation of the Blesse bridge by the NBS
On 8 April 1945, the words "The bottle is empty" sounded on Radio Orange. This code message was the go-ahead for the resistance to start putting bridges, roads and railway lines out of order thirty-six hours later. The Frisian resistance answered this call en masse.
As soon as the Allied vanguard drew near, the armed resistance was also deployed to support their advance. And that sometimes meant that there were also bridges that had to be occupied rather than deactivated. One such action took place in the municipality of Weststellingwerf.
On 12 April 1945, the Canadian vanguard approached the village of De Blesse. The local section of the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces (NBS) was instructed by the resistance leadership to scout the railway bridge and road bridge (the Blesse bridge) over the Linde and, if possible, to occupy them.These bridges were important for maintaining the speed of the Canadian advance. Partly for this reason, they were also often guarded by German soldiers. In most cases, the bridges were also fitted with explosives. This allowed the bridge to be blown up if the Germans eventually had to retreat.
The reconnaissance revealed that the Blesse bridge was guarded by a total of about 10 soldiers. The NBS then decided to attack the bridge from two sides in the evening. Thanks to several aerial arms drops, the resistance fighters were well armed. In the dark, the men set off and split up into three groups. They eventually took up posts north and south of the bridge. The plan was to storm the bridge at two in the morning from the south.To their surprise, their fire was not returned as they approached the bridge. The guards appeared to have disappeared. With that, the bridge had unexpectedly fallen into the hands of the NBS without bloodshed. Moreover, no explosives were found to be affixed to bridge. After the bridge was secured, it was guarded until the Canadians arrived.
News of the occupation of the bridge was reported to the section commander the same night. And through other means of communication, the news also reached the Canadians. Holding the bridge facilitated and accelerated the Canadians' advance later in the day.
-
-
Aira Boats
Aira Boats
-
Vakantiehuis in Gaastmeer
Vakantiehuis in Gaastmeer
Book now
-
Natuurlijk Kollumeroord Groepsaccommodatie De Vlinderbalg
Natuurlijk Kollumeroord Groepsaccommodatie De Vlinderbalg
-
Iezumasyl
Iezumasyl
-
WestCord WTC Hotel - Comfort Kamer
WestCord WTC Hotel - Comfort Kamer
Book now
-
Hinnaard Bell Tower
Hinnaard Bell Tower
-
Landal Waterpark Terherne
Landal Waterpark Terherne
-
Rondvaarten Houten bok IJlst
Rondvaarten Houten bok IJlst
Book now
-
Lighthouse Bornrif Ameland
Lighthouse Bornrif Ameland
-
DaVinci Yachts BV
DaVinci Yachts BV
-
Craft cotton printing factory, Kleine Lijn
Craft cotton printing factory, Kleine Lijn
Sustainability info
-
Lutz Watervilla's - Wettervilla Santjin
Lutz Watervilla's - Wettervilla Santjin
Book now
-
Public toilet Pharshoeke in Heeg
Public toilet Pharshoeke in Heeg
-
Zijda Yachting - Maurice Elite
Zijda Yachting - Maurice Elite
Book now
-
11Fountains Harlingen
11Fountains Harlingen
-
Bunker Koehoal
Bunker Koehoal
-
Hanse 348
Hanse 348
Book now
