Locations
1993 to 2016 of 2474 results
-
Marina Resort Hart van Friesland
Marina Resort Hart van Friesland
-
Noflik Nijemirdum
Noflik Nijemirdum
Book now
-
Beach and Recreational Meadow Indijk (Yndyk)
Beach and Recreational Meadow Indijk (Yndyk)
-
Ruigahuizen Bell Tower
Ruigahuizen Bell Tower
-
Goaiingarypster Puollen
Goaiingarypster Puollen
-
Recreatiepark de Uilenburg
Recreatiepark de Uilenburg
-
Recreatiepark de Uilenburg
Recreatiepark de Uilenburg
-
Recreatiepark de Uilenburg - Safaritent Jutrijp
Recreatiepark de Uilenburg - Safaritent Jutrijp
Book now
-
Nautica Yacht Charter
Nautica Yacht Charter
-
Klokkenstoel Indijk
Klokkenstoel Indijk
-
Heechsicht
Heechsicht
-
Watervilla XXL Terkaple
Watervilla XXL Terkaple
Book now
-
Huifkar
Huifkar
Book now
-
Church and bell tower Goïngarijp
Church and bell tower Goïngarijp
-
Goïngarijp Bell Tower
Goïngarijp Bell Tower
-
Brewery Gudzekop
Brewery Gudzekop
-
Eco-Cathedral Project in Mildam
Eco-Cathedral Project in Mildam
-
Natuureiland De Gouden Boaiem
Natuureiland De Gouden Boaiem
-
Vakantieboerderij Uitwellingerga
Vakantieboerderij Uitwellingerga
Book now
-
Tourist Information Balk
Tourist Information Balk
-
Balk
Balk
-
The battle for the Tjonger bridge in Mildam
The battle for the Tjonger bridge in Mildam
In the afternoon of 12 April, rumours had reached Mildam that Englishmen or perhaps Canadians had been sighted at Peperga. The Canadian vanguards had entered Friesland. For the inhabitants of Mildam it was still a surprise when at first one and shortly afterwards another military vehicle with a few men in khaki-coloured overalls stopped at the bridge.
These vehicles were part of a patrol of "D" Squadron Royal Canadian Dragoons commanded by Lieutenant Homer Thomas. These Canadians established that unlike other bridges, the bridge in Mildam over the Tjonger had not yet been blown up by the occupying forces. The fact that the Tjonger bridge in Mildam had not been destroyed was due to the local resistance movement. The Germans had indeed planned to blow up this bridge as well. But at the risk of their own lives, resistance fighters had removed the detonators from the explosives affixed to the bridge.
The Squadron Commander immediately ordered all units to secure the bridge. And the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces were also requested to provide men. The precautions turned out to be justified. In the night of 12 to 13 April, German troops launched one of their few counter-attacks in the province of Friesland. From Heerenveen, they managed to surprise the Canadians in Mildam. They tried to regain control of the bridge three times. During the fierce fighting, Canadian vehicles were knocked out. But the Dragoons stood firm, and the Germans were driven off again. Mildam was freed.Four Canadian soldiers were injured in the fighting. The number of casualties on the German side is unknown. There was property damage in Mildam, but no civilians were killed. With a little less luck, though, there would have been several Dutch casualties. In the early morning of 13 April, a group of dozens of resistance fighters approached the bridge at dusk from the direction of Nieuweschoot. This was the reinforcement requested by the Canadians on 12 April when the undamaged bridge was discovered. The resistance fighters were partly carrying captured German weapons and were not noticed by the Dragoons in the semi-darkness until late.
Lieutenant Thomas, mentioned earlier, almost gave the order to open fire. It was only at the last moment that it became clear that they were not Germans. The resistance members had managed to make themselves known by singing songs in English.
The preservation of the bridge was important. During the following days, the Canadians would make extensive use of the bridge to advance further in the direction of Leeuwarden and liberate the province of Friesland.
-
-
't Bûterhûs - Appartement Bos
't Bûterhûs - Appartement Bos
Book now
-
't Bûterhûs
't Bûterhûs
