Locations
2209 to 2232 of 2386 results
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Skrok Meadow Bird Reserve
Skrok Meadow Bird Reserve
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Rottige Meente Nature Reserve
Rottige Meente Nature Reserve
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Sanzi Yacht Charter - Mrs. Jones
Sanzi Yacht Charter - Mrs. Jones
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Buismanskoai and Dyksfearten Nature Reserves
Buismanskoai and Dyksfearten Nature Reserves
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B&B Langweer - Kamer 2
B&B Langweer - Kamer 2
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't Pannekoekschip Leeuwarden
't Pannekoekschip Leeuwarden
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Kafee It wapen fân Fryslân
Kafee It wapen fân Fryslân
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Afsluitdijk Wadden Centre
Afsluitdijk Wadden Centre
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De Zomerschuur (The Summer Barn)
De Zomerschuur (The Summer Barn)
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Skûtsje De Leafde
Skûtsje De Leafde
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Frisian Maritime Museum
Frisian Maritime Museum
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Vakantiehuis It Eilan
Vakantiehuis It Eilan
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Beach and Recreational Meadow Indijk (Yndyk)
Beach and Recreational Meadow Indijk (Yndyk)
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Museam Belvédere
Museam Belvédere
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Nobel
Nobel
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vakantiehuizen aan het Piel
vakantiehuizen aan het Piel
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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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Theater De Bres
Theater De Bres
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St Vitus church Wetsens
St Vitus church Wetsens
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d'Oude Herbergh
d'Oude Herbergh
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B&B Draugen
B&B Draugen
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Zijda Yachting - IJssel Elite
Zijda Yachting - IJssel Elite
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Waterrecreatie Syperda - De Oolter
Waterrecreatie Syperda - De Oolter
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De Swanneblom Swimming Pond
De Swanneblom Swimming Pond
