Locations
1969 to 1992 of 2889 results
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Spanga Bell Tower
Spanga Bell Tower
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Vakantiehuisjes Marsherne
Vakantiehuisjes Marsherne
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Kofje
Kofje
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The liberation of Friesland
The liberation of Friesland
By 18 April, the whole province of Friesland had been liberated, except for the Wadden Islands. Compared to other provinces, there was little fighting in Friesland. Overall, the few thousand German troops who had been unable to escape from 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 that "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.
At least 31 resistance fighters lost their lives in confrontations with German troops and their Dutch accomplices. At least eleven Canadians and one Frenchman were killed on the Allied side. Dozens of civilian victims were also killed in the fighting and shelling. The number of casualties on the German side is not known, but it is believed that the number ran into hundreds. With 320 destroyed and 4000 damaged homes and 80 destroyed bridges, Friesland was materially the least damaged province of the Netherlands.
Many German soldiers fled towards the western part of the country. The retreating German troops gathered mostly in Harlingen, Makkum and Lemmer. From there, they tried to get away by boat across the IJsselmeer or via the Afsluitdijk to North Holland. The Wadden Islands also became a refuge for collaborators and German soldiers. Here, liberation was longer in coming.
On the island of Terschelling, the last German troops were disarmed by a British artillery regiment on 29 May. Two days later, the British crossed from Terschelling to Vlieland, and the liberation of that island was also a fact. Ameland was liberated on 3 June.
Personnel from the infamous Scholtenhuis, the SD headquarters in Groningen, had entrenched themselves on Schiermonnikoog. After their departure on 31 May, there was a celebration on the island, in spite of the six hundred members of the occupying troops who still were there. Only on 11 June did the last German soldiers leave Schiermonnikoog, and then the whole province of Friesland was free.
Most Canadian units that had liberated Friesland continued the battle in Groningen and North Germany after 18 April. Their war ended on 8 May 1945, when the surrender of all German armed forces became effective.
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Café De Finne
Café De Finne
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B&B Langweer - Kamer 2
B&B Langweer - Kamer 2
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Stadsherberg 'Het Wapen van IJlst' - Appartement (4 persoons)
Stadsherberg 'Het Wapen van IJlst' - Appartement (4 persoons)
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Jachthaven Hoora Heeg - Maxus 22
Jachthaven Hoora Heeg - Maxus 22
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Camping Oan 'e Poel
Camping Oan 'e Poel
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Reformed Church Wierum
Reformed Church Wierum
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RCN de Potten - Vakantiewoning de Tjalk
RCN de Potten - Vakantiewoning de Tjalk
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Titus Brandsma monument
Titus Brandsma monument
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Camping van Netten
Camping van Netten
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Tourist Info Harlingen
Tourist Info Harlingen
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Eesterga Bell Tower and Graveyard with Mausoleum
Eesterga Bell Tower and Graveyard with Mausoleum
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Sail-a-way Sneekermeer - Appartement 8-7
Sail-a-way Sneekermeer - Appartement 8-7
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Zeilschool De Morra
Zeilschool De Morra
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Former city hall IJlst
Former city hall IJlst
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Aan het Water
Aan het Water
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Camping de Finne - Pipowagen aan het water
Camping de Finne - Pipowagen aan het water
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TOP Feanwâlden
TOP Feanwâlden
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HarTeluk Joure
HarTeluk Joure
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Restaurant STEEF
Restaurant STEEF
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Bed & breakfast De Olde Signorie
Bed & breakfast De Olde Signorie
