Location
97 to 128 of 387 results
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Opende Blotevoetenpad Barefoot Trail
Opende Blotevoetenpad Barefoot Trail
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Beleef Lauwersoog
Beleef Lauwersoog
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Skrok - Bird hide
Skrok - Bird hide
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Sint Willibrorduskerk
Sint Willibrorduskerk
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SurfSpot Lauwersmeer - Hoek van de Bant
SurfSpot Lauwersmeer - Hoek van de Bant
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Bolsward (Boalsert)
Bolsward (Boalsert)
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Children's Farm Doniastate
Children's Farm Doniastate
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Visitor's Center 'Terp Hegebeintum'
Visitor's Center 'Terp Hegebeintum'
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Swarte Broek Lake
Swarte Broek Lake
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Church of Brantgum
Church of Brantgum
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Kroesepaed Hiking Trail
Kroesepaed Hiking Trail
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Buddhist Centre at Hantum
Buddhist Centre at Hantum
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The liberation of Friesland 1
The liberation of Friesland 1
In early April, it became clear that the liberation of Friesland was imminent. Although the province had not suffered a real Hunger Winter like other parts of the Netherlands, there were severe shortages of just about everything. And the terror of the occupying forces was growing. This also led to increased resistance against the occupying forces. The battle between the two was tougher than ever in early 1945.
In Friesland, assault groups known as Knokploegen (KP) were responsible for most acts of resistance. But there were other groups too. On the orders of the Dutch government in London, all these groups were merged into the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces (NBS). In Friesland, this happened on 12 December 1944.
The NBS, popularly referred to as the BS, gave the armed resistance an organisation with a clear structure. The NBS was also supposed to play a role in the upcoming liberation. To this end, resistance groups were provided with weapons from autumn 1944. These were dropped from the air.
On 8 April, Radio Orange broadcast the message "The bottle is empty." This was the signal for the NBS to start carrying out sabotage operations 36 hours later. The aim was to make it as difficult as possible for the Germans to defend themselves against the approaching Allied forces.
The resistance did this by putting bridges and railways out of order, blocking waterways and blocking roads. The response of the occupying forces was ruthless. In retaliation, dozens more prisoners were shot at different times and places.Once the Canadians entered Friesland on 12 April, they were supported extremely effectively by the Frisian resistance. Because it was superbly organised, they were able to help the Canadians take control of important bridges, repair damaged bridges, and advise on the most favourable route.
By 18 April, the whole province was liberated except for the Wadden Islands (these were liberated in late May and in June). Compared to other provinces, there was little fighting in Friesland. Overall, the few thousand German troops who had been unable to flee Friesland were defeated by the Canadians relatively quickly.
The commander of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Landell, praised the actions of the resistance by stating "Friesland liberated herself." While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, the actions of the Frisian resistance undoubtedly accelerated the liberation. And reduced the number of casualties on the Allied side.
In confrontations with German troops and their Dutch accomplices, at least 31 resistance fighters lost their lives. On the Allied side, at least eleven Canadians and one Frenchman were killed. The fighting and shelling also resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. The number of casualties on the German side is not known, but probably ran into the hundreds. With 320 houses destroyed and 4,000 damaged and 80 bridges destroyed, Friesland was materially the least damaged province in the Netherlands.
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De HerdersHoeve
De HerdersHoeve
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The Tea Factory
The Tea Factory
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B&B De Koesfabriek
B&B De Koesfabriek
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It Bûtefjild Nature Reserve
It Bûtefjild Nature Reserve
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Vakantiewoning Holwerd
Vakantiewoning Holwerd
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Bennema State
Bennema State
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Sint Jacobiparochie (Sint-Jabik)
Sint Jacobiparochie (Sint-Jabik)
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Saint Martin's Church Gytsjerk
Saint Martin's Church Gytsjerk
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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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Statue of Tryntsje and her seven sons
Statue of Tryntsje and her seven sons
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Wetterkr8 Suptours
Wetterkr8 Suptours
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Former Notary's House
Former Notary's House
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Hotel It Posthûs
Hotel It Posthûs
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Kraanlannen Nature Reserve
Kraanlannen Nature Reserve
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Jannum Church Museum
Jannum Church Museum
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Beaches at Lauwersoog
Beaches at Lauwersoog
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St. Vitus Church Wyns
St. Vitus Church Wyns
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Thermen & Beauty Leeuwerikhoeve
Thermen & Beauty Leeuwerikhoeve
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Surhuisterveen (Surhústerfean)
Surhuisterveen (Surhústerfean)
