On the 6th of October 1944, a fierce battle raged in this area. The 1st Polish Armoured Division attempted to force the German troops to retreat, but encountered fierce resistance. Among other measures, the German army had deployed the very well organised 6th Paratroopers Regiment. German paratroopers were extremely apprehensive of espionage. At the slightest suspicion, they resorted to drastic measures.

And so farmer Felix Roelen, his neighbour Toon Oomen and resistance fighter Willy van den Corput were pulled out of a shelter by German soldiers and taken away after a short interrogation. In the woods around Alphen, they were summarily shot. Felix Roelen was hit in the neck, but eventually, it proved not to be a fatal wound and he survived.