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Holiday Park Bergumermeer
Holiday Park Bergumermeer
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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.
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Zonnewind Zeilreizen
Zonnewind Zeilreizen
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Lycklamabos - Nijemirdum
Lycklamabos - Nijemirdum
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Cultuur Kwartier Sneek
Cultuur Kwartier Sneek
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Watervillapark Idskenhuizen - Oeral Thús
Watervillapark Idskenhuizen - Oeral Thús
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Stadsstrand Leeuwarden
Stadsstrand Leeuwarden
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Camping De Holle Poarte - Kampeerplaats Dichtbij
Camping De Holle Poarte - Kampeerplaats Dichtbij
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Hike & Bike Hotel
Hike & Bike Hotel
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Lyts Ropta
Lyts Ropta
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Harlinger Watersports Association
Harlinger Watersports Association
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B&B De Oude Wagenmakerij (The Old Wheelwright’s Workshop)
B&B De Oude Wagenmakerij (The Old Wheelwright’s Workshop)
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Hotel Stedswal - Kamer 5 - Hylpen
Hotel Stedswal - Kamer 5 - Hylpen
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Zuid4 Food & Drinks
Zuid4 Food & Drinks
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Friese Meren Villa's - Docklodge 26
Friese Meren Villa's - Docklodge 26
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Resistance Memorial 1940 – 1945
Resistance Memorial 1940 – 1945
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Renting open 'dory' boats
Renting open 'dory' boats
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Monument Gaele Visser
Monument Gaele Visser
On May 2, 2015, a monument was unveiled here for the Frisian-Canadian soldier Gaele Visser, born in Haskerhorne in 1920 and emigrated to Canada in 1930. Gaele Visser enlisted in the Canadian army in 1942, specifically in the Algonquin Regiment. He fought in the liberation of Western Europe and was killed on April 23, 1945, near Oldenburg (Germany).
He is buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. The monument provides information about both his private life and military career.
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Heechsicht
Heechsicht
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Galerie Skarsterlân
Galerie Skarsterlân
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Public toilet on Rienck Bockemakade in Sneek
Public toilet on Rienck Bockemakade in Sneek
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De Babbelaar Café in Burgum
De Babbelaar Café in Burgum
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Vakantiehuis in Gaastmeer
Vakantiehuis in Gaastmeer
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Marinaveste Campevaer - Appartement
Marinaveste Campevaer - Appartement
