Location
897 to 928 of 957 results
-
Landal Natuurdorp Suyderoogh
Landal Natuurdorp Suyderoogh
-
Sint Genovevakerk Jelsum
Sint Genovevakerk Jelsum
-
Vissersvrouw monument
Vissersvrouw monument
-
Koudum - Kijkheuvel de Samenvoeging
Koudum - Kijkheuvel de Samenvoeging
-
Kerk Hegebeintum
Kerk Hegebeintum
-
Zeilcharter Willem Jacob
Zeilcharter Willem Jacob
-
B&B Husterheide
B&B Husterheide
-
Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
-
Huize Moddergat
Huize Moddergat
-
Lauwersmeer - De Baak - Uitkijktoren
Lauwersmeer - De Baak - Uitkijktoren
-
Skrins - Bird watching cabin
Skrins - Bird watching cabin
-
Oostmahorn Beach and Play Area
Oostmahorn Beach and Play Area
-
It Bûtefjild Nature Reserve
It Bûtefjild Nature Reserve
-
Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk
Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk
-
BOWT Watersport
BOWT Watersport
-
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.
-
Strandheem Lake and Leisure Park
Strandheem Lake and Leisure Park
-
Marboei MB6
Marboei MB6
-
Korenmolen de Hoop
Korenmolen de Hoop
-
Veldzicht Metslawier
Veldzicht Metslawier
-
Kroesepaed Hiking Trail
Kroesepaed Hiking Trail
-
Lauwersmeer - Ezumakeeg-Noord - Kijkheuvel
Lauwersmeer - Ezumakeeg-Noord - Kijkheuvel
-
Grutte Tsjerke Ternaard
Grutte Tsjerke Ternaard
-
Electrosloop Fryslân (Aldtsjerk)
Electrosloop Fryslân (Aldtsjerk)
-
Klein Veldlust
Klein Veldlust
-
Jumbo en Informatiepunt Dokkum
Jumbo en Informatiepunt Dokkum
-
Geitenboerderij De Vries
Geitenboerderij De Vries
-
Frisian Angus
Frisian Angus
-
Reitdiep
Reitdiep
-
Terp fan de Takomst
Terp fan de Takomst
-
De Leijen - De Tike - Uitkijkhut
De Leijen - De Tike - Uitkijkhut
-
Gedicht: Der gie in snijen | Eeltsje Hettinga
Gedicht: Der gie in snijen | Eeltsje Hettinga
DER GIE IN SNIJEN
Often to understand, we have to look into emptiness
– Michelangelo Antonioni
Winter line skean tsjin de apelhôven,
liet de mûle in lang swijen,
begjin april, spoaren fan lytse
hoefdieren yn de snie en oer
de mûnier, dêr’t in rûge froast
syn flierren sloech, de rop fan in ûle.
Earne út nacht syn ûnderwâlen wei
kaam in frou, in pear redens
om ’e hals, de ring fan
it lantearneljocht yn en ferdwûn,
in skaad foar har, in skaad achter har,
de iisbaan oer, it tsjuster yn.
Inkeld útsinnige kiel wie ik doe’t
by in hast dierlik oerémisk roppen
ik út myn dreamen wekker skeat
en mysels weromfûn yn de dize
oer de Po-flakten fan Antonioni, dêr’t
in kamera oer de sompen glied.
Ik seach iisblommen op de ruten,
begjin april, sette de ôftiteling
stil by de namme fan Anna.
Winter line skean tsjin de apelhôven,
liet de mûle in lang swijen.
Der gie in snijen, sûnder ophâlden.
