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433 to 456 of 2324 results
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Kameleondorp Terherne
Kameleondorp Terherne
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Cultural and Historical Centre De Schierstins
Cultural and Historical Centre De Schierstins
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Wind Engine at De Veenhoop
Wind Engine at De Veenhoop
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Tourist Info
Tourist Info
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Súdergoabrêge Workum
Súdergoabrêge Workum
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Boutique Hotel 'Herberg Het Rechthuis'
Boutique Hotel 'Herberg Het Rechthuis'
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Recreatiebedrijf Gouden Plakje
Recreatiebedrijf Gouden Plakje
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Sânfurd Church
Sânfurd Church
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Restaurant Ode
Restaurant Ode
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The liberation of Leeuwarden
The liberation of Leeuwarden
On 11 April 1945, it became clear that German resistance in the north of the Netherlands was limited. On 12 April, the Allies seized this opportunity to advance on Friesland as quickly as possible. One of the main goals was to liberate Leeuwarden. The 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade was designated for this purpose. But things would turn out differently.
On 12 April, the Royal Canadian Dragoons entered Friesland at Noordwolde. They were to conduct reconnaissance with their armoured vehicles and reach the Wadden Sea as quickly as possible. As a result, the German troops in Friesland and Groningen would be separated.
On the night of 14 to 15 April, three Squadrons of the Dragoons were at Suameer. Burgum could not be reached earlier that day, because the bridge at Burgummerdam had been blown up by the Germans.
Meanwhile, all sorts of things were happening in nearby Leeuwarden. On 12 April, the airfield had been blown up by the Germans. And they left the city on 14 April. Leeuwarden would not be defended. The Burgerweeshuis (Civil Orphanage) that had housed several German agencies was set on fire. An attempt to blow up the telephone exchange failed due to an ingenious intervention by the resistance. In the early morning of 15 April, the resistance also took to the streets en masse to occupy important points and to capture Germans who had remained behind.
The Dragoons in Suameer were in contact with the resistance in Leeuwarden. Due to various reports, it was unclear whether there was now heavy fighting in Leeuwarden or whether the Germans had left the city completely. Because the Germans had blown up important bridges on the route from Heerenveen to Leeuwarden, the infantry could not quickly provide assistance.
So, the Dragoons went to take a look for themselves. Initially, a patrol of four vehicles was sent via the Groningerstraatweg into the city around half past eleven. One of the Canadians in those vehicles recorded the following:
"As we entered the city, passing through the concrete barrier by the narrow passageway left for normal traffic, we were met by an almost hysterical patrol of Resistance men [...] In a few moments the news of our arrival had spread through the city, and we were given a fantastic welcome as we rolled slowly forward into the centre of town."A resident of Leeuwarden recalled:
"We lived close to the Groningerstraatweg, where our liberators passed. Many hundreds of us stood there, all happy spectators. All of a sudden, two ladies from the row flung themselves forward and threw their arms around the Canadians' necks, saying: "Oh darlings, you’re here at last!"After the patrol determined that the coast was clear, the entire C Squadron, a detachment of the Royal Canadian Engineers and Regimental Headquarters of Lieutenant-Colonel Landell followed. Leeuwarden had been liberated. After this, thousands took to the streets. One of the Canadians wrote:
"We halted, and were immediately surrounded by laughing, yelling mobs of people, bringing flowers to give to us, and cheering every move. The Resistance men were everywhere, doing their best to keep the people within bounds and off the cars, but their efforts were hardly necessary. I never saw a more satisfying gathering in my life."Leeuwarden had been liberated by the Dragoons through unexpected circumstances. On the night of 15 to 16 April, Canadian infantry moved into the city.
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De Zomerschuur (The Summer Barn)
De Zomerschuur (The Summer Barn)
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De Witakker - Groepsaccommodatie De Witakker
De Witakker - Groepsaccommodatie De Witakker
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Park Heremastate
Park Heremastate
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Vlaskamp Garden
Vlaskamp Garden
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Information Point Church Wiuwert
Information Point Church Wiuwert
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brinckerduyn
brinckerduyn
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Zijda Yachting - Durapel Elite
Zijda Yachting - Durapel Elite
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Lytsewierrum (Lutkewierum)
Lytsewierrum (Lutkewierum)
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Bootverhuur Hospes - Motorboot IJsvogel
Bootverhuur Hospes - Motorboot IJsvogel
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Liberation Monument (Canadian) Perth regiment
Liberation Monument (Canadian) Perth regiment
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Parkhotel Tjaarda - Comfortkamer
Parkhotel Tjaarda - Comfortkamer
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Lutz Watervilla's - Wettervilla Acht
Lutz Watervilla's - Wettervilla Acht
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Tolhuis Joure
Tolhuis Joure
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City farm De Sibbe
City farm De Sibbe
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