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Visitor's Center 'Terp Hegebeintum'
Visitor's Center 'Terp Hegebeintum'
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Bolsward (Boalsert)
Bolsward (Boalsert)
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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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Beaches Nieuwe Robbengat
Beaches Nieuwe Robbengat
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BinnenInn 12-Person House
BinnenInn 12-Person House
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Swimming pool It Paradyske
Swimming pool It Paradyske
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Copini Buitensport
Copini Buitensport
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Children's Farm Doniastate
Children's Farm Doniastate
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Twijzelermieden Nature Reserve
Twijzelermieden Nature Reserve
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Grutte Pier Brewery
Grutte Pier Brewery
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Farm shop Uitland
Farm shop Uitland
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Restaurant It Posthûs
Restaurant It Posthûs
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Landal Waterpark De Alde Feanen
Landal Waterpark De Alde Feanen
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The Hurdriiders
The Hurdriiders
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Waddenzee-Expedities
Waddenzee-Expedities
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St. Cecilia's Church Oosternijkerk
St. Cecilia's Church Oosternijkerk
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Historic Hotel Hurdegaryp
Historic Hotel Hurdegaryp
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Natuurlijk Kollumeroord Groepsaccommodatie De Vlinderbalg
Natuurlijk Kollumeroord Groepsaccommodatie De Vlinderbalg
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Thús yn Hantum
Thús yn Hantum
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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje near Dokkum
Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje near Dokkum
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Former Post Office Kollum
Former Post Office Kollum
Although this building is now home to a business, it is well worth taking a look inside this former post office.
Those who look closely can still spot the remains of the old post office within the current premises. The original wooden service counters have been preserved, while the bright red PTT letterbox outside is a reminder of days gone by.
Today it is hard to imagine, but for centuries the postal service was one of the most important means of communication. This main post office was built in 1888 for that purpose. It is one of the few post offices constructed after 1883 that was not designed by the Government Architect for the Northern Netherlands, C. H. Peters, but most likely by the municipal architect H. A. Zondag. The municipality leased the building to the national government. The post office occupied the ground floor, while the postmaster lived upstairs. Following a renovation in 1908, the telegraph and telephone services were also housed here. The post office remained in use until the end of 1972.
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Former director’s house of the Mûnein Flax Factory
Former director’s house of the Mûnein Flax Factory
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EAstay apartment 2
EAstay apartment 2
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Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen Lock and Sea Defence
Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen Lock and Sea Defence
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Rondvaartbedrijf Lauwersmeer (Boat Tours)
Rondvaartbedrijf Lauwersmeer (Boat Tours)
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Skûtsjemuseum Earnewâld
Skûtsjemuseum Earnewâld
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TOP Burgum
TOP Burgum
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Kraanlannen Nature Reserve
Kraanlannen Nature Reserve
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Wierum (Wierum)
Wierum (Wierum)
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BinnenInn 24-Person Group Stay
BinnenInn 24-Person Group Stay
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it Dreamlân groupaccommodation
it Dreamlân groupaccommodation
Direct boekbaar
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Noarderleech Bunker and Training Base
Noarderleech Bunker and Training Base
