The Hemelse Berg country estate was inhabited by the Beelaerts van Blokland family during the Battle of Arnhem. From the tower of the country house, which used to stand on the lawn beyond, the city centre of Arnhem was visible. It offered a sad view over the burning houses.&nbsp;On Tuesday September 19th, the first consequences of the battle were felt by the Beelaerts van Blokland family. A large refugee stream of over 250 people with children, babies and household goods had reached the estate. They were housed in different buildings. The day after, wounded soldiers arrived at the estate and were taken care of too. Because of the lack of medical resources, the wounded were initially taken to hotel the Tafelberg, but that became too dangerous later on. &nbsp;On Sunday 24 September, the entrance of the estate was hit by German artillery fire. The house caught fire, all the civilians fled and a few soldiers lost their lives. The whole manor burned down. Part of the Beelaerts van Blokland family stayed in the basement of the burnt down mansion in the hope that the Allies could still break through, but the British troops evacuated the next day and the liberation did not happen until April 1945.

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Hemelse Berg

Das Anwesen Hemelse Berg wurde während der Schlacht um Arnheim von der Familie Beelaerts van Blokland bewohnt. Das Zentrum von Arnheim war vom Turm des Herrenhauses aus zu sehen, der sich früher auf dem weiter entfernten Rasen befand. Es bot sich ein trauriger Anblick auf brennende Häuser.Am Dienstag, dem 19. September, bekam die Familie Beelaerts van Blokland die ersten Folgen der Schlacht zu spüren. Ein großer Flüchtlingsstrom mit mehr als 250 Menschen mit Kindern, Babys und Hausrat hatte das Anwesen erreicht. Sie wurden in verschiedenen Gebäuden untergebracht. Am nächsten Tag trafen auch verwundete Soldaten ein, die in dem Anwesen versorgt wurden. Da es am Hemelse Berg keine medizinischen Einrichtungen gab, wurden Verwundete zunächst ins Hotel de Tafelberg gebracht, was später aber zu gefährlich war.Am Sonntag, dem 24. September, geriet der Eingang des Herrenhauses unter Artilleriebeschuss der Deutschen. Das Haus fing Feuer, alle Zivilisten flohen und einige Soldaten kamen ums Leben. Das ganze Anwesen brannte nieder. Ein Teil der Familie Beelaerts van Blokland blieb im Keller des ausgebrannten Hauses in der Hoffnung auf den Durchbruch der Alliierten, doch die britischen Truppen wurden am nächsten Tag evakuiert und die Befreiung verzögerte sich bis April 1945. Landgoed de Hemelse Berg werd tijdens de Slag om Arnhem bewoond door de familie Beelaerts van Blokland. Vanuit de toren van het landhuis, dat vroeger op het grasveld verderop stond, was het centrum van Arnhem zichtbaar. Het bood een triest uitzicht op brandende huizen.Op dinsdag 19 september werden de eerste consequenties van de slag voelbaar voor de familie Beelaerts van Blokland. Een grote vluchtelingenstroom van ruim 250 mensen met kinderen, baby’s en huisraad had het landgoed bereikt. Zij werden ondergebracht in verschillende gebouwen. De dag erna kwamen ook gewonde militairen aan die in het landhuis verzorgd werden. Omdat er bij de Hemelse Berg geen medische voorzieningen waren, werden gewonden in het begin nog naar hotel de Tafelberg gebracht, maar dit was later te gevaarlijk.Op zondag 24 september werd de entree van het landhuis geraakt door Duits artillerievuur. Het huis vatte vlam, alle burgers vluchtten en enkele militairen kwamen om het leven. Het hele landhuis brandde uit. Een deel van de familie Beelaerts van Blokland bleef in de kelder van het uitgebrande landhuis in de hoop dat de geallieerden nog konden doorbreken, maar de Britse troepen evacueerden de dag erna en de bevrijding liet nog tot april 1945 op zich wachten. Le domaine de Hemelse Berg était habité par la famille Beelaerts van Blokland pendant la bataille d'Arnhem. Depuis la tour de la maison de campagne, qui se dressait sur la pelouse au-delà, on pouvait voir le centre-ville d'Arnhem. Il offrait une vue pénible sur les maisons en feu.&nbsp;Le mardi 19 septembre, les premières conséquences de la bataille ont été ressenties par la famille Beelaerts van Blokland. Un important flot de réfugiés de plus de 250 personnes avec enfants, bébés et leurs effets personnels avait atteint le domaine. Ils ont été logés dans différents bâtiments. Le lendemain, des soldats blessés sont arrivés au domaine et ont également été pris en charge. En raison du manque de ressources médicales, les blessés ont d'abord été conduits à l'hôtel Tafelberg, mais cela est devenu trop dangereux par la suite.&nbsp;Le dimanche 24 septembre, l'entrée du domaine a été touchée par des tirs d'artillerie allemands. La maison a pris feu, tous les civils ont fui et quelques soldats ont perdu la vie. Le manoir entier a brûlé. Une partie de la famille Beelaerts van Blokland est restée dans le sous-sol du manoir incendié dans l'espoir que les Alliés puissent encore percer les défenses ennemies, mais les troupes britanniques durent évacuer le lendemain et la libération n'eut lieu qu'en avril 1945.

 Hemelse Berg  De Hemelse Berg  Hemelse Berg

From 1936, Huize Voorburg was owned by the Jewish firm Kahn and Co and served as a country house for the Kahn and Blum partners. Family members who had fled from Germany also lived there. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, the families left the mansion and from then on it stood empty.In March 1941, the house was put into use as a "Hakhshara Home", a place where Jewish youths ("Palestine pioneers") were prepared for their stay in Palestine. It housed 34 boys and girls aged seventeen and eighteen, as well as ten staff members. The residents were trained in agriculture and animal husbandry.On 3 October 1942, the SS surrounded the house and the residents present were deported to Camp Westerbork. A large number of them ended up on an exchange list, which meant they did not continue on the transport. They were given a so-called Palestine certificate to be exchanged for German citizens interned by the British in Palestine.In September 1943, five leaders of the group from Elden were transported to concentration camps. Only two of them survived this. In January 1944, 30 'Palestine pioneers' from the exchange list were deported to Bergen-Belsen. Travelling via Vienna, seven of them were then transported to Palestine in a large group. The others stayed in various camps, and twelve of them were killed. The survivors were finally liberated by Russian troops on 23 April 1945.A memorial stone has been erected in memory of the murdered 'Palestine pioneers'. The Hebrew text on the plaque reads:'May their souls be bundled in the bundle of eternal life'.

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Monument Palestinapioniers

From 1936, Huize Voorburg was owned by the Jewish firm Kahn and Co and served as a country house for the Kahn and Blum partners. Family members who had fled from Germany also lived there. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, the families left the mansion and from then on it stood empty.In March 1941, the house was put into use as a "Hakhshara Home", a place where Jewish youths ("Palestine pioneers") were prepared for their stay in Palestine. It housed 34 boys and girls aged seventeen and eighteen, as well as ten staff members. The residents were trained in agriculture and animal husbandry.On 3 October 1942, the SS surrounded the house and the residents present were deported to Camp Westerbork. A large number of them ended up on an exchange list, which meant they did not continue on the transport. They were given a so-called Palestine certificate to be exchanged for German citizens interned by the British in Palestine.In September 1943, five leaders of the group from Elden were transported to concentration camps. Only two of them survived this. In January 1944, 30 'Palestine pioneers' from the exchange list were deported to Bergen-Belsen. Travelling via Vienna, seven of them were then transported to Palestine in a large group. The others stayed in various camps, and twelve of them were killed. The survivors were finally liberated by Russian troops on 23 April 1945.A memorial stone has been erected in memory of the murdered 'Palestine pioneers'. The Hebrew text on the plaque reads:'May their souls be bundled in the bundle of eternal life'. Ab 1936 war Huize Voorburg im Besitz der jüdischen Firma Kahn und Co. und diente als Landhaus für die Partner Kahn und Blum. Auch aus Deutschland geflüchtete Familienmitglieder wohnten dort. Kurz vor Ausbruch des Zweiten Weltkriegs verließen die Familien die Villa und sie stand von da an leer.Im März 1941 wurde das Haus als "Hakhshara Home" genutzt, ein Ort, an dem jüdische Jugendliche ("Palästina-Pioniere") auf ihren Aufenthalt in Palästina vorbereitet wurden. Es beherbergte 34 Jungen und Mädchen im Alter von siebzehn und achtzehn Jahren sowie zehn Mitarbeiter. Die Bewohner wurden in Landwirtschaft und Tierhaltung ausgebildet.Am 3. Oktober 1942 umstellte die SS das Haus, und die anwesenden Bewohner wurden in das Lager Westerbork deportiert. Ein großer Teil von ihnen landete auf einer Austauschliste, so dass sie den Transport nicht fortsetzen konnten. Sie erhielten ein so genanntes Palästina-Zertifikat, um gegen deutsche Staatsbürger ausgetauscht zu werden, die von den Briten in Palästina interniert worden waren.Im September 1943 wurden fünf Führer der Gruppe aus Elden in Konzentrationslager transportiert. Nur zwei von ihnen überlebten dies. Im Januar 1944 wurden 30 "Palästina-Pioniere" von der Austauschliste nach Bergen-Belsen deportiert. Sieben von ihnen wurden dann in einer großen Gruppe über Wien nach Palästina transportiert. Die anderen blieben in verschiedenen Lagern, zwölf von ihnen wurden getötet. Die Überlebenden wurden schließlich am 23. April 1945 von russischen Truppen befreit.Zur Erinnerung an die ermordeten "Palästina-Pioniere" wurde ein Gedenkstein errichtet. Der hebräische Text auf der Gedenktafel lautet:Mögen ihre Seelen im Bündel des ewigen Lebens gebündelt sein". Huize Voorburg was vanaf 1936 eigendom van de joodse firma Kahn en Co en diende als buitenverblijf voor de firmanten Kahn en Blum. Ook uit Duitsland gevluchte familieleden woonden er. Kort voor het uitbreken van de Tweede Wereldoorlog verlieten de families het landhuis en vanaf dat moment stond het leeg.&nbsp;In maart 1941 werd het huis in gebruik genomen als 'Hachsjara tehuis', een plek waar joodse jongeren (‘Palestinapioniers’) werden voorbereid op hun verblijf in Palestina.&nbsp;&nbsp;Er woonden 34 jongens en meisjes van 17 en 18 jaar en 10 personeelsleden. De bewoners werden op het land opgeleid in de landbouw en veeteelt.&nbsp;Op 3 oktober 1942 omsingelde de SS het huis en werden de aanwezige bewoners afgevoerd naar Kamp Westerbork. Een groot aantal van hen kwam op een uitwissellijst te staan, wat betekende dat ze niet verder op transport gingen. Ze kregen een zogenaamd Palestinacertificaat om uitgeruild te worden tegen door de Britten in Palestina geïnterneerde Duitse burgers.&nbsp;&nbsp;In september 1943 werden 5 leiders van de groep uit Elden alsnog op transport gesteld naar concentratiekampen. Slechts twee van hen overleefden dit. 30 'Palestinapioniers', van de uitwissellijst werden in januari 1944 naar Bergen-Belsen afgevoerd. Via Wenen werden 7 van hen met een grote groep naar Palestina vervoerd.&nbsp;De overigen verbleven in diverse kampen, 12 van hen werden vermoord. De overlevenden werden uiteindelijk op 23 april 1945 bevrijd door Russische troepen.&nbsp;Ter nagedachtenis aan de vermoorde ‘Palestina-pioniers’ is een gedenksteen geplaatst.&nbsp;De Hebreeuwse tekst op de plaquette luidt:‘Moge hun zielen gebundeld worden in de bundel van het eeuwige leven’.&nbsp;

 Monument Palestinapioniers Monument Palestinapioniers Denkmal Palästinapioniere

With the Allies having gained air superiority there for the last month, many missions were aimed at maintaining and exploiting superiority. In addition to their surveillance of designated stretches of airspace, the pilots were tasked with taking out occasional targets. The squadron did not miss that opportunity: the twelve Spitfire aircraft successfully attacked ground targets near Gorinchem, the Netherlands, in the morning. In the Operation record book, they noted several hits on trucks, locomotives and wagons, with hits from every aircraft.&nbsp;They subsequently flew a little further east for a second reconnaissance of a quadrant between Ommen and Zwolle. Because there had been missiles fired from this region, they were extra motivated and alert. Aware that a supersonic V2 could not be stopped in the air, their special attention was focused on the vulnerable supply lines via rail and road. The required nine tonnes of propulsion power would arrive periodically in liquid form by train in Heino, before being transported to Hessum by road. A direct hit on that flammable cargo would naturally produce a great spectacle.&nbsp;They realised that they needed to be somewhat economical with their firepower, as later in the day the squadron would be escorting another small group of aircraft in a bombing raid on Zwolle's railway bridge. Unfortunately, one of the pilots would not make it to that mission - as they fly towards Rechteren castle, he would not fare well.&nbsp;When they spotted a truck on the Tolhuisweg near Hessum House, six pilots initiated a dive. Visibility was somewhat hampered by trees, and although they skimmed low over the treetops, the first salvo (rounds of fire) went over and past the target vehicle. On the second run, they hoped for more success, but just before the second attack, they noticed that pilot Van de Werve's aircraft was missing. One of them tried to make radio contact, but it remained grimly silent. They observed snapped treetops and debris below them and drew the inevitable conclusion.&nbsp;In May 1950, Léon van de Werve de Vorsselaer was posthumously awarded the 700th Flying Cross for his initiative, courage and perseverance. Van de Werve is the only Belgian ever to have been awarded a Dutch flying cross.Text Hugo van den Ende&nbsp; Research Stefan Hendriks&nbsp;

Piloot Léon van de Werve de Vorsselaer - 

Piloot Léon van de Werve de Vorsselaer

Aerial photo crash site Spitfire

prayer card Léon A.M.J.G. van de Werve de Vorsselaer -

prayer card Léon A.M.J.G. van de Werve de Vorsselaer

Truthful representation of the Spitfire PT549 - 

Spitfire PT549 

Information panel

One truck too many 

With the Allies having gained air superiority there for the last month, many missions were aimed at maintaining and exploiting superiority. In addition to their surveillance of designated stretches of airspace, the pilots were tasked with taking out occasional targets. The squadron did not miss that opportunity: the twelve Spitfire aircraft successfully attacked ground targets near Gorinchem, the Netherlands, in the morning. In the Operation record book, they noted several hits on trucks, locomotives and wagons, with hits from every aircraft.&nbsp;They subsequently flew a little further east for a second reconnaissance of a quadrant between Ommen and Zwolle. Because there had been missiles fired from this region, they were extra motivated and alert. Aware that a supersonic V2 could not be stopped in the air, their special attention was focused on the vulnerable supply lines via rail and road. The required nine tonnes of propulsion power would arrive periodically in liquid form by train in Heino, before being transported to Hessum by road. A direct hit on that flammable cargo would naturally produce a great spectacle.&nbsp;They realised that they needed to be somewhat economical with their firepower, as later in the day the squadron would be escorting another small group of aircraft in a bombing raid on Zwolle's railway bridge. Unfortunately, one of the pilots would not make it to that mission - as they fly towards Rechteren castle, he would not fare well.&nbsp;When they spotted a truck on the Tolhuisweg near Hessum House, six pilots initiated a dive. Visibility was somewhat hampered by trees, and although they skimmed low over the treetops, the first salvo (rounds of fire) went over and past the target vehicle. On the second run, they hoped for more success, but just before the second attack, they noticed that pilot Van de Werve's aircraft was missing. One of them tried to make radio contact, but it remained grimly silent. They observed snapped treetops and debris below them and drew the inevitable conclusion.&nbsp;In May 1950, Léon van de Werve de Vorsselaer was posthumously awarded the 700th Flying Cross for his initiative, courage and perseverance. Van de Werve is the only Belgian ever to have been awarded a Dutch flying cross.Text Hugo van den Ende&nbsp; Research Stefan Hendriks&nbsp; Da die Alliierten hier seit einem Monat die Luftüberlegenheit erlangt haben, zielen viele Einsätze darauf ab, die Überlegenheit zu erhalten und auszunutzen.&nbsp; Neben der Überwachung bestimmter Luftraumabschnitte haben die Piloten auch die Aufgabe, gelegentlich Ziele auszuschalten. Diese Gelegenheit ließ sich das Geschwader nicht entgehen. Die zwölf Spitfires griffen am Morgen erfolgreich Bodenziele bei Gorinchem an. Im Einsatzbuch können sie mehrere Treffer auf Lastwagen, Lokomotiven und Waggons vermerken, mit Treffern von jedem Flugzeug.&nbsp;Anschließend fliegen sie etwas weiter östlich, um einen zweiten Aufklärungsflug in einem Quadranten zwischen Ommen und Zwolle durchzuführen. Wegen der Raketen, die aus dieser Region abgefeuert werden, sind sie besonders motiviert und wachsam. Da sie wissen, dass eine Überschall-V2 in der Luft nicht gestoppt werden kann, gilt ihre besondere Aufmerksamkeit den verwundbaren Nachschublinien über Schiene und Straße. Die benötigten neun Tonnen Antriebsenergie kommen in regelmäßigen Abständen in flüssiger Form per Zug in Heino an und werden dann auf der Straße nach Hessum transportiert. Ein Volltreffer auf die brennbare Fracht sorgt natürlich für ein großes Spektakel.&nbsp;Sie wissen, dass sie mit ihrer Feuerkraft sparsam umgehen müssen, denn später am Tag wird das Geschwader eine andere kleine Gruppe von Flugzeugen bei einem Bombenangriff auf die Eisenbahnbrücke von Zwolle begleiten. Leider wird einer der Piloten nicht mehr dabei sein: Auf dem Flug in Richtung Schloss Rechteren geht es ihm nicht gut.&nbsp;Als die sechs Piloten auf dem Tolhuisweg in der Nähe von Hessum House einen Lastwagen entdecken, beginnen sie mit einem Sturzflug. Die Sicht ist durch die Bäume etwas eingeschränkt, und obwohl sie im Tiefflug über die Baumkronen fliegen, geht die erste Salve über das Fahrzeug hinaus und vorbei. Beim zweiten Durchgang hoffen sie auf mehr Erfolg, aber kurz vor dem zweiten Angriff bemerken sie, dass das Flugzeug des Piloten Van de Werve fehlt.&nbsp; Als einer von ihnen versucht, Funkkontakt herzustellen, bleibt es grimmig still. Als sie die zerbrochenen Baumkronen und die Trümmer unter sich beobachten, ziehen sie die unvermeidliche Schlussfolgerung.&nbsp;Im Mai 1950 wurde Léon van de Werve de Vorsselaer posthum mit dem 700. Fliegerkreuz für seine Initiative, seinen Mut und seine Ausdauer ausgezeichnet. Van de Werve ist der einzige Belgier, der jemals ein niederländisches Fliegerkreuz erhalten hat.&nbsp;Text Hugo van den Ende&nbsp; Recherche Stefan Hendriks&nbsp; Nu de geallieerden hier sinds een maand luchtoverwicht hebben verkregen, zijn veel missies erop gericht om overwicht te behouden en uit te buiten.&nbsp; De piloten krijgen de opdracht om, naast hun surveillance van aangewezen stukken luchtruim, tevens gelegenheidsdoelen uit te schakelen. Die kans heeft het squadron niet laten lopen. De twaalf Spitfires vallen ‘s ochtends met succes gronddoelen in de buurt van Gorinchem aan. In het Operation record book kunnen ze diverse treffers noteren op trucks, locomotieven en wagons, met hits van elk vliegtuig.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ze vliegen aansluitend wat oostelijker voor een tweede verkenning van een kwadrant tussen Ommen en Zwolle. Vanwege de raketten die vanuit deze regio afgevuurd worden, zijn ze extra gemotiveerd en alert. In het besef dat een supersonische V2 niet in de lucht af te stoppen is, gaat hun speciale aandacht uit naar de kwetsbare aanvoerlijnen via het spoor en over de weg. De benodigde negen ton aandrijfkracht arriveert op gezette tijden in vloeibare vorm met de trein in Heino om daarna via de weg naar Hessum te worden vervoerd. Een voltreffer op die brandbare lading levert natuurlijk een geweldig spektakel op.&nbsp;Ze beseffen wel dat ze enigszins zuinig met hun vuurkracht om moeten gaan, want later op de dag zal het squadron nog een kleine groep vliegtuigen gaan escorteren bij een bombardement op de spoorbrug van Zwolle. Helaas zal een van de piloten daar niet meer bij zijn: als ze richting kasteel Rechteren vliegen, loopt het niet goed met hem af.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wanneer ze een truck spotten op de Tolhuisweg vlakbij huize Hessum, zetten zes piloten een duikvlucht in. Het zicht wordt enigszins bemoeilijkt door bomen en hoewel ze laag over de boomtoppen scheren, gaat het eerste salvo over en langs het voertuig. Bij de tweede run hopen ze op meer succes, maar net voor de tweede aanval merken ze dat het toestel van piloot Van de Werve ontbreekt.&nbsp; Wanneer een van hen radiocontact probeert te krijgen, blijft het akelig stil. Als ze onder zich geknakte boomtoppen en brokstukken waarnemen, trekken ze de onvermijdelijke conclusie.&nbsp;&nbsp;In mei 1950 werd aan Léon van de Werve de Vorsselaer postuum het 700e vliegerkruis toegekend voor zijn initiatief, moed en volharding. Van de Werve is de enige Belg die ooit een Nederlands vliegerkruis toegekend heeft gekregen.&nbsp;tekst Hugo van den Ende&nbsp; research Stefan Hendriks&nbsp;

 Ein Lkw zu viel  Eén truck te veel  One truck too many 

Although... it remains to be seen whether we will be able to fly again after our crash last night. And how long would the war go on, with Antwerp already lost, and how long would it take for us to rejoin the troops? Would new aircraft still be delivered despite all the bombing of our factories?&nbsp;When we took off from Leeuwarden just after midnight in pitch darkness - having heard that English bombers had been spotted over the North Sea - Kurt still had the highest say &nbsp;&nbsp;He would use his technical knowledge to put the giant feelers on the nose of our Messerschmitt to work... Thanks to our new radar system, he would surely guide us quickly to the bombers, so that Willi could fire his shells at the Dickys without any problems.&nbsp;Well, that turned out to be quite different... Of course we kept an eye out for the gunners and were also on the lookout for English night fighters.&nbsp;But while we were concentrating on one of the guys above us, after an hour or so, we ourselves unexpectedly came under fire out of nowhere - there was no stopping us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Luckily we managed to bail out in time and landed on the ground next to each other. I heard Willi moaning and managed to help him with an emergency bandage. I didn't hear anything from Kurt, but when I went to check on him, I heard very softly "Scheisse holz ... holz....". After that it was quiet. So could we have been attacked by one of those wooden mosquitoes and the new radar would not have picked it up properly?Text Hugo van den Ende&nbsp; Research Stefan Hendriks&nbsp;

Messerschmitt 110 - 140024

Truthful representation of the Messerschmitt 110 - 140024 - 

Grave Kurt Kudritzki - war cemetery Ysselsteyn -

Grave Kurt Kudritzki - war cemetery Ysselsteyn

Bad luck for Kurt

Willi and I may be sitting here now, just the two of us, in the hospital in Zwolle with our heads in bandages, but we can both still recount it and pick up the fight again, while Kurt, our friend and good radio operator, has been killed.Although... it remains to be seen whether we will be able to fly again after our crash last night. And how long would the war go on, with Antwerp already lost, and how long would it take for us to rejoin the troops? Would new aircraft still be delivered despite all the bombing of our factories?&nbsp;When we took off from Leeuwarden just after midnight in pitch darkness - having heard that English bombers had been spotted over the North Sea - Kurt still had the highest say &nbsp;&nbsp;He would use his technical knowledge to put the giant feelers on the nose of our Messerschmitt to work... Thanks to our new radar system, he would surely guide us quickly to the bombers, so that Willi could fire his shells at the Dickys without any problems.&nbsp;Well, that turned out to be quite different... Of course we kept an eye out for the gunners and were also on the lookout for English night fighters.&nbsp;But while we were concentrating on one of the guys above us, after an hour or so, we ourselves unexpectedly came under fire out of nowhere - there was no stopping us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Luckily we managed to bail out in time and landed on the ground next to each other. I heard Willi moaning and managed to help him with an emergency bandage. I didn't hear anything from Kurt, but when I went to check on him, I heard very softly "Scheisse holz ... holz....". After that it was quiet. So could we have been attacked by one of those wooden mosquitoes and the new radar would not have picked it up properly?Pilot Heinz Wagner, together with air gunner Willi Winkler, survived the attack by the British Mosquito - it is unknown whether they participated again in the fight against the Allies. Kurt Kudritzki was buried at the Noorderbegraafplaats in Leeuwarden and later transferred to the German war cemetery in Ysselsteyn (L).text Hugo van den Ende&nbsp; research Stefan Hendriks&nbsp; Willi und ich sitzen zwar jetzt hier, wir beide im Krankenhaus in Zwolle mit bandagierten Köpfen, aber wir beide können noch erzählen und den Kampf wieder aufnehmen, während Kurt, unser Freund und guter Funker, umgekommen ist.&nbsp;&nbsp;Obwohl ...&nbsp; es bleibt abzuwarten, ob wir wieder fliegen können, nachdem wir letzte Nacht so abgestürzt sind. Und wie lange würde der Krieg noch dauern, nachdem Antwerpen bereits verloren war, und wie lange würden wir brauchen, um wieder zu den Truppen zu stoßen? Würden trotz der Bombardierung unserer Fabriken noch neue Flugzeuge geliefert werden?&nbsp;&nbsp;Als wir kurz nach Mitternacht in stockdunkler Nacht von Leeuwarden aus starteten - wir hatten gehört, dass englische Bomber über der Nordsee gesichtet worden waren - hatte Kurt noch das größte Wort.&nbsp;&nbsp;Er würde mit seinem technischen Know-how die riesigen Fühler an der Nase unserer Messerschmitt zum Laufen bringen... Dank unseres neuen Radarsystems würde er uns bestimmt schnell zu den Bombern führen, so dass Willi seine Granaten problemlos auf die Dickys abfeuern konnte.&nbsp;Das stellte sich dann ganz anders dar... Natürlich waren wir auf die Kanoniere an Bord bedacht, und wir waren auch auf der Hut vor den englischen Nachtjägern.&nbsp;&nbsp;Aber während wir uns auf einen der Kerle über uns konzentrierten, wurden wir selbst nach einer Stunde unerwartet aus dem Nichts unter Beschuss genommen - es gab kein Halten mehr für uns.&nbsp;&nbsp;Zum Glück schafften wir es, rechtzeitig abzuspringen und landeten nebeneinander auf dem Boden. Willi hörte ich stöhnen und es gelang mir, ihm mit einem Notverband zu helfen. Kurt habe ich nicht gehört, aber als ich ihn untersuchte, hörte ich ganz leise Scheisse holz ... holz.... Danach blieb es still. Könnte es also sein, dass wir von einer dieser hölzernen Mücken angegriffen wurden und das neue Radar es nicht richtig erkannt hat?&nbsp;Der Pilot Heinz Wagner und der Bordschütze Willi Winkler überlebten den Angriff der britischen Mosquito - es ist nicht bekannt, ob sie noch einmal am Kampf gegen die Alliierten teilnahmen. Kurt Kudritzki wurde auf dem Noorderbegraafplaats in Leeuwarden beigesetzt und später auf den deutschen Kriegsfriedhof in Ysselsteyn (L) überführt.Text Hugo van den Ende&nbsp; Recherche Stefan Hendriks&nbsp; Willi en ik zitten hier nu wel met z’n tweeën in het ziekenhuis in Zwolle met onze kop in het verband, maar wij kunnen het allebei nog navertellen en de strijd weer oppakken, terwijl Kurt, onze vriend en goede radiotelegrafist, gesneuveld is. &nbsp; Hoewel ...&nbsp; het is nog maar de vraag of we weer kunnen vliegen nu we vannacht zo gecrasht zijn. En hoe lang zou de oorlog nog voortduren, nu Antwerpen al verloren is gegaan en hoeveel tijd zou het ons kosten om weer bij de troepen aan te sluiten? Zouden er nog wel nieuwe toestellen geleverd worden ondanks al die bombardementen op onze fabrieken?&nbsp;&nbsp;Toen we net na middernacht in het pikkedonker opstegen uit Leeuwarden - nadat we gehoord hadden dat er Engelse bommenwerpers boven de Noordzee waren gespot - had Kurt nog het hoogste woord. &nbsp; Hij zou met zijn technische kennis de reusachtige voelsprieten op de neus van onze Messerschmitt wel eens aan het werk zetten… Dankzij ons nieuwe radarsysteem zou hij ons beslist snel naar de bommenwerpers geleiden, zodat Willi zonder problemen zijn granaten zou kunnen afvuren op de Dicky’s.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dat liep dus totaal anders… Natuurlijk hielden we rekening met de boordschutters en ook waren we beducht voor Engelse nachtjagers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Maar terwijl we ons concentreerden op een van die jongens boven ons, werden we zelf na een uur al onverwachts uit het niets onder vuur genomen – geen houden aan. &nbsp; Gelukkig konden we op tijd afspringen en kwamen we in de buurt van elkaar op de grond. Willi hoorde ik kreunen en ik heb hem kunnen helpen met een noodverband. Kurt hoorde ik niet, maar toen ik hem controleerde hoorde ik heel zachtjes Scheisse holz … holz.. Daarna bleef het stil. Zouden we dan door zo’n houten Mosquito zijn aangevallen en zou de nieuwe radar die niet goed gespot hebben?&nbsp;Piloot Heinz Wagner heeft samen met boordschutter Willi Winkler de aanval van de Britse Mosquito overleefd - het is onbekend of ze opnieuw deelgenomen hebben aan de strijd tegen de geallieerden. Kurt Kudritzki is begraven op de Noorderbegraafplaats in Leeuwarden en later overgebracht naar de Duitse oorlogsbegraafplaats in Ysselsteyn (L).tekst Hugo van den Ende&nbsp; research Stefan Hendriks&nbsp;

 Dummes Pech für Kurt  Domme pech voor Kurt  Bad luck for Kurt 

During the autumn and winter of 1944/45, the longest battle of the Second World War on German soil took place in the Huertgen Forest. With this battle, the war precipitated by the Nazi regime returned to Germany. The fighting caused numerous casualties on both sides. At Huertgen War Cemetery 3.001 mostly German casualties of war have found their final resting place. Around 500 victims have not been identified. Among the German dead are a little over a hundred men who lost their lives during post-war clean-up operations as members of the ‘Ammunition Search and Removal Team’ or during efforts to recover the fallen from the forest. The cemetery was established between 1951 and 1952 and inaugurated on 17 August 1952. In 1994, on the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the landing of the Allies in Normandy, veterans of the 4th U.S. Infantry Division unveiled a memorial plaque in honour of Lieutenant Friedrich Lengfeld, who tried to save an American wounded soldier lying in a minefield at the cost of his own life. This memorial plaque can be found at the entrance of the cemetery.

During the autumn and winter of 1944/45, a long and bloody battle took place in the Huertgen Forest. 3.001 mostly German victims of this bitter struggle have their final resting place at Huertgen War Cemetery.

During the autumn and winter of 1944/45, the longest battle of the Second World War on German soil took place in the Huertgen Forest. With this battle, the war precipitated by the Nazi regime returned to Germany. The fighting caused numerous casualties on both sides.

At Huertgen War Cemetery 3.001 mostly German casualties of war have found their final resting place. Around 500 victims have not been identified. Among the German dead are a little over a hundred men who lost their lives during post-war clean-up operations as members of the ‘Ammunition Search and Removal Team’ or during efforts to recover the fallen from the forest.

The cemetery was established between 1951 and 1952 and inaugurated on 17 August 1952.
In 1994, on the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the landing of the Allies in Normandy, veterans of the 4th U.S. Infantry Division unveiled a memorial plaque in honour of Lieutenant Friedrich Lengfeld, who tried to save an American wounded soldier lying in a minefield at the cost of his own life. This memorial plaque can be found at the entrance of the cemetery.

Rureifel Tourismus e.V.

Huertgen War Cemetery

 À l'automne-hiver 1944/45, la forêt de Hürtgen est le théâtre de la plus longue bataille de la Seconde Guerre mondiale sur le sol allemand. Avec cette bataille, la guerre déclenchée par le régime nazi se déplace en Allemagne. Les combats font de nombreuses victimes dans les deux camps. Le cimetière militaire de Hürtgen abrite 3 001 victimes de cette lutte acharnée, principalement allemandes. Quelque 500 victimes ne sont pas identifiées. Parmi les morts allemands, une centaine d'hommes a perdu la vie après la guerre, pendant les opérations visant à chercher et évacuer les munitions, ou tandis qu'ils tentaient de récupérer les corps encore présents dans la forêt. Créé entre 1951 et 1952, ce cimetière est inauguré le 17 août 1952. En 1994, année du 50e anniversaire du Débarquement allié en Normandie, les anciens combattants de la 4e division d'infanterie américaine dévoilent une plaque en l'honneur du lieutenant Friedrich Lengfeld. Ce dernier a tenté, au prix de sa vie, de sauver un soldat américain blessé dans un champ de mines. Cette plaque se trouve à l'entrée du cimetière. Auf dem Soldatenfriedhof Hürtgen haben 3.001 deutsche Kriegstote ihre letzte Ruhestätte gefunden. Etwa 500 der Opfer konnten nicht identifiziert werden. Unter den deutschen Toten sind etwas mehr als hundert Männer, die ihr Leben nach dem Krieg bei ihrer Arbeit im Minensuch- und -räumdienst oder bei der Bergung von Gefallenen im Wald verloren haben. Der Friedhof wurde zwischen 1951 und 1952 angelegt und am 17. August 1952 eingeweiht. Im Jahr 1994, zum 50. Jahrestag des D-Days, der Landung der Alliierten in der Normandie, enthüllten Veteranen der 4. US-Infanteriedivision eine Gedenktafel zu Ehren von Leutnant Friedrich Lengfeld, der versucht hatte, einen verwundeten amerikanischen Soldaten aus einem Minenfeld zu retten und dabei selbst sein Leben verlor. Die Gedenktafel befindet sich am Friedhofseingang. Jesienią i zimą z 1944 r. na 1945 r. rozegrała się najdłuższa bitwa II wojny światowej na ziemiach niemieckich. Wraz z nią, wojna rozpętana przez reżim niemiecki wróciła do Niemiec. Liczba poległych po obu stronach była wysoka. Na cmentarzu wojennym w Huertgen leży 3.001 ofiar tych walk, głównie Niemców. Około 500 ciał nie zidentyfikowano. Wśród poległych Niemców jest nieco ponad sto osób, członków “Zespołu poszukiwawczo-rozbrojeniowego”, które straciły życie po wojnie w operacjach usuwania niewybuchów, albo ciał z terenów leśnych. Cmentarz założono w latach 1951 / 1952, a otwarto 17 sierpnia 1952 r. W 1994 r., w pięćdziesiątą rocznicę D-Day, a więc lądowania aliantów w Normandii, weterani 4. Dywizji Piechoty USA odsłonili tablicę pamiątkową ku czci porucznika Friedricha Lengfelda, który próbował ratować rannego żołnierza amerykańskiego, leżącego na polu minowym za cenę własnego życia. Tablica pamiątkowa znajduje się przy wejściu na cmentarz. In de herfst en winter van 1944-1945 vond een langdurige en bloedige slag plaats in het Huertgenwald (Eifel). 3.001, meest Duitse slachtoffers van deze verbeten strijd hebben hun laatste rustplaats op de Oorlogsbegraafplaats Huertgen gevonden.
In de herfst en winter van 1944-1945 vond in het Huertgenwald de langste veldslag van de Tweede Wereldoorlog op Duitse bodem plaats. Deze gevechten brachten de oorlog die door de nazi’s was ontketend terug naar Duits grondgebied. De gevechten maakten veel slachtoffers aan beide kanten. 3.001, meest Duitse doden kregen hun laatste rustplaats op het Oorlogskerkhof Huertgen. Ongeveer 500 gevallenen zijn niet geïdentificeerd. Onder de Duitse doden zijn meer dan 100 man die hun leven lieten na de oorlog, bij de opruiming van explosieven of de zoektocht naar vermiste militairen. De begraafplaats werd ingericht in 1951-1952 en ingewijd op 17 augustus 1952. In 1994, bij gelegenheid van de 50e herdenkingsdag van D-Day (de geallieerde landingen in Normandië) onthulden veteranen van de 4e Amerikaanse Infanteriedivisie een herdenkingsplaquette ter ere van Luitenant Friedrich Lengfeld die -ten koste van zijn eigen leven- probeerde een gewonde Amerikaanse soldaat te redden uit een mijnenveld. De plaquette is te vinden bij de ingang van de begraafplaats. Openingstijden Ga voor meer informatie en de openingstijden naar: http://www.volksbund.de/kriegsgraeberstaette/huertgenwald-huertgen-kriegsgraeberstaette.html Durante l’autunno e l’inverno del 1944-45, la più lunga battaglia della Seconda guerra mondiale su suolo tedesco ebbe luogo nella foresta di Hürtgen. Con questa battaglia, la guerra condotta dal regime nazista ritornò in Germania. Il combattimento causò numerose vittime da entrambe le parti.  Nel cimitero di guerra di Hürtgen riposano 3.001 vittime di guerra, principalmente tedesche. Circa 500 vittime non sono state identificate. Tra i caduti tedeschi vi sono un centinaio di uomini che hanno perso la vita durante le operazioni di sminamento come membri della ‘Squadra per la ricerca e la rimozione delle munizioni’ o per tentare di ritrovare i caduti nella foresta.  Il cimitero fu creato tra il 1951 e il 1952 e inaugurato il 17 agosto 1952. Nel 1994, nel 40esimo anniversario del D-Day, gli sbarchi alleati in Normandia, i veterani della Quarta Divisione di fanteria americana hanno inaugurato una lapide in onore del Luogotenente Friedrich Lengfeld, che provò a salvare un soldato americano ferito in un campo minato pagando con la sua vita. Questa lapide si trova all’entrata del cimitero. During the autumn and winter of 1944/45, the longest battle of the Second World War on German soil took place in the Huertgen Forest. With this battle, the war precipitated by the Nazi regime returned to Germany. The fighting caused numerous casualties on both sides. At Huertgen War Cemetery 3.001 mostly German casualties of war have found their final resting place. Around 500 victims have not been identified. Among the German dead are a little over a hundred men who lost their lives during post-war clean-up operations as members of the ‘Ammunition Search and Removal Team’ or during efforts to recover the fallen from the forest. The cemetery was established between 1951 and 1952 and inaugurated on 17 August 1952. In 1994, on the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the landing of the Allies in Normandy, veterans of the 4th U.S. Infantry Division unveiled a memorial plaque in honour of Lieutenant Friedrich Lengfeld, who tried to save an American wounded soldier lying in a minefield at the cost of his own life. This memorial plaque can be found at the entrance of the cemetery.

 Cimetière militaire de Hürtgen Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Hürtgen Cmentarz wojenny w Huertgen Oorlogsbegraafplaats Huertgen Cimitero di guerra di Hürtgen Huertgen War Cemetery

At the end of April 1945 more than 40.000 people died in the Battle of the Halbe Pocket. The warm weather of the first days of May accelerated the decay of the dead bodies, so that they had to be buried quickly. In order to counter the danger of epidemics, the local Soviet occupying authority stipulated that the dead were to be buried immediately where they lay, be it in mass graves, in gardens or in shell craters. As a result, numerous provisional gravesites were created in the forests and along the pathways; many single graves were dug in the gardens of the local villagers. In 1951, six years after the battle, a local Protestant minister, Ernst Teichmann, initiated the gathering of the bodies buried in and around Halbe into a central cemetery. Close to the village of Halbe was a 7 ha forest area, large enough to accommodate all the burials from the area of the pocket. The cemetery, with its eleven large fields of graves, was designed by Walter Funcke und Karl Foerster. Today, the Halbe Forest Cemetery is the resting place of some 24.000 victims of the Battle of the Halbe Pocket, including soldiers, civilians, Soviet forced labourers, and also of some people who were killed at the German execution site in Berlin-Tegel and at the Ketschendorf internment camp. The re-burials have continued to this day. In 2002, the German War Graves Commission assumed responsibility for the care of this largest and most important cemetery in the state of Brandenburg.

The Halbe Forest Cemetery is one of the largest wartime cemeteries in Germany. More than 40.000 people died in this area during the last days of April 1945. Today, the Halbe Forest Cemetery is the resting place of some 24.000 victims of the Battle of the Halbe Pocket, including soldiers, civilians and Soviet forced labourers.

At the end of April 1945 more than 40.000 people died in the Battle of the Halbe Pocket. The warm weather of the first days of May accelerated the decay of the dead bodies, so that they had to be buried quickly. In order to counter the danger of epidemics, the local Soviet occupying authority stipulated that the dead were to be buried immediately where they lay, be it in mass graves, in gardens or in shell craters. As a result, numerous provisional gravesites were created in the forests and along the pathways; many single graves were dug in the gardens of the local villagers.

In 1951, six years after the battle, a local Protestant minister, Ernst Teichmann, initiated the gathering of the bodies buried in and around Halbe into a central cemetery. Close to the village of Halbe was a 7 ha forest area, large enough to accommodate all the burials from the area of the pocket. The cemetery, with its eleven large fields of graves, was designed by Walter Funcke und Karl Foerster.

Today, the Halbe Forest Cemetery is the resting place of some 24.000 victims of the Battle of the Halbe Pocket, including soldiers, civilians, Soviet forced labourers, and also of some people who were killed at the German execution site in Berlin-Tegel and at the Ketschendorf internment camp. The re-burials have continued to this day. In 2002, the German War Graves Commission assumed responsibility for the care of this largest and most important cemetery in the state of Brandenburg.

Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e. V./Uwe Zucchi

Halbe Forest Cemetery

 À la fin du mois d'avril 1945, plus de 40 000 personnes périrent dans la bataille de la poche de Halbe. La chaleur des premiers jours du mois de mai accéléra la décomposition des corps, et il fallut donc les enterrer rapidement. Afin d'éviter tout risque d'épidémie, les autorités soviétiques sur place ordonnèrent que les cadavres soient enterrés à l'endroit même où ils gisaient, que ce soit dans des fosses communes, dans des jardins ou encore dans des cratères de bombes. De nombreux cimetières provisoires furent ainsi créés dans les forêts et le long des sentiers, et beaucoup de tombes furent également creusées dans les jardins des villageois. En 1951, soit six ans après la bataille, Ernst Teichmann, un pasteur protestant vivant dans la région, initia un regroupement des corps se trouvant à Halbe et dans les environs, afin de les enterrer dans un seul cimetière. Près du village se trouvait une forêt de 7 hectares, suffisamment vaste pour permettre d'inhumer toutes les personnes décédées dans la poche de Halbe. Ce cimetière, divisé en onze zones, fut conçu par Walter Funcke et Karl Foerster. Environ 24 000 victimes de la bataille de la poche de Halbe reposent aujourd'hui dans ce cimetière militaire, parmi lesquelles des soldats, des civils et des travailleurs forcés soviétiques, mais aussi quelques personnes ayant été tuées sur le lieu d'exécution allemand de Berlin-Tegel et au camp d'internement de Ketschendorf. Les inhumations se sont poursuivies jusqu'à aujourd'hui, et depuis 2002, la Commission allemande des cimetières militaires assure l'entretien de ce cimetière, le plus grand et le plus important de la région de Brandebourg. Ende April 1945 starben über 40.000 Menschen in der Kesselschlacht um Halbe. Da das in den ersten Maitagen einsetzende milde Wetter die Verwesung der Leichen beschleunigte, mussten sie schnellstens bestattet werden. Angesichts der bestehenden Seuchengefahr ordneten die örtlichen Besatzungsbehörden der sowjetischen Armee an, die Toten unverzüglich dort zu bestatten, wo sie gefunden wurden, sei es in Massengräbern, Gärten oder Bombentrichtern. Dadurch entstand in den Wäldern und an den Wegrändern eine Vielzahl provisorischer Grabstätten. Auch in den Gärten der Dorfbewohner wurden viele Einzelgräber ausgehoben. Im Jahr 1951, sechs Jahre nach der Schlacht, setzte sich der evangelische Pfarrer Ernst Teichmann dafür ein, die in Halbe und der Umgebung Begrabenen in einen zentralen Friedhof umzubetten. In der Nähe des Ortes Halbe fand sich ein Waldstück, das mit einer Fläche von sieben Hektar alle im Bereich der Kesselschlacht bestatteten Personen aufnehmen konnte. Der Friedhof mit seinen elf großen Gräberfeldern wurde von Walter Funcke und Karl Foerster geplant. Heute ist der Waldfriedhof Halbe die letzte Ruhestätte von etwa 24.000 in der Kesselschlacht von Halbe gefallenen Soldaten, Zivilisten und sowjetischen Zwangsarbeitern sowie von Menschen, die in der deutschen Hinrichtungsstätte Berlin-Tegel und im Internierungslager Ketschendorf getötet wurden. Die Umbettungen dauern bis heute an. Im Jahr 2002 übernahm der Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge die Betreuung dieses größten und wichtigsten Friedhofs im Land Brandenburg. Pod koniec kwietnia 1945 r. przeszło 40.000 ludzi zginęło w bitwie pod Halbe. Ponieważ wysokie temperatury pierwszych dni maja przyspieszyły rozkład zwłok, należało je szybko pogrzebać. Aby zapobiec niebezpieczeństwu epidemii, miejscowe okupacyjne władze radzieckie wydały zarządzenie, by ciała były natychmiast grzebane tam, gdzie leżały: w grobach masowych, w ogrodach, czy w kraterach po pociskach. W efekcie utworzono wiele prowizorycznych cmentarzy w lasach i wzdłuż dróg. Wiele pojedynczych grobów wykopano w wiejskich ogródkach. W 1951 r., sześć lat po bitwie, miejscowy pastor protestancki, Ernst Teichmann, zaczął gromadzić ciała pochowane w Halbe i okolicy na jednym centralnym cmentarzu. Nieopodal wioski Halbe znajdował się las o powierzchni 7 ha. Teren był wystarczająco duży, by pomieścić wszystkie pochówki z terenu kotła bitwy. Cmentarz złożony z jedenastu dużych kwater został zaprojektowany przez Waltera Funcke i Karla Foerstera. Dziś, cmentarz leśny w Halbe jest miejscem spoczynku około 24.000 ofiar bitwy w kotle pod Halbe: żołnierzy, cywili, radzieckich robotników przymusowych, a także pojedynczych osób, które zostały stracone w miejscu kaźni Berlin-Tegel oraz w obozie koncentracyjnym Ketschendorf. Przenoszenie grobów trwa do dziś. W 2002 r. niemiecka Komisja ds. Grobów Wojennych przejęła opiekę nad tym największym i najważniejszym cmentarzem w Brandenburgii. De begraafplaats in Halbe is een van de grootste oorlogsbegraafplaatsen van Duitsland. Meer dan 40.000 mensen kwamen in de laatste dagen van april 1945 om het leven tijdens de Slag om Halbe. De begraafplaats is de laatste rustplek voor de 24.000 Duitse soldaten, burgers en Sovjetdwangarbeiders.
In de laatste dagen van april 1945 werd de omgeving van Halbe het decor van een gruwelijke veldslag, waarbij het Sovjet leger het Duitse 9e leger omsingelde en grotendeels vernietigde. Op het slagveld bleven meer dan 40.000 mensen dood achter. Door het warme weer was de kans op het uitbreken van epidemieën groot. De Sovjetautoriteiten besloten dan ook dat de doden snel en ter plekke begraven moesten worden. Het maakte niet uit of dat gebeurde in massagraven, tuinen of bomkraters. Hierdoor ontstonden veel tijdelijke begraafplaatsen in de bossen en langs voetpaden en wegen. In 1951, zes jaar na de veldslag, nam de protestantse predikant Ernst Teichmann het initiatief om de begraven lichamen in en rond Halbe te verzamelen en bijeen te brengen in een centrale begraafplaats. Dichtbij het plaatsje Halbe lag een bosgebied van 7 hectare, groot genoeg om alle lichamen die overal verspreid in het gebied van de veldslag lagen te herbegraven. De begraafplaats van Halbe werd ontworpen door Walter Funcke en Karl Foerster. Zo werd de begraafplaats van Halbe de rustplaats voor 24.000 slachtoffers van de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Er liggen niet alleen Duitse soldaten maar ook burgers, Sovjetdwangarbeiders en mensen die omkwamen bij de Duitse executieplaats Berlijn-Tegel. Tot kort geleden werden er nog slachtoffers geborgen en herbegraven. In 2002 nam de Duitse Commissie voor Oorlogsgraven de verantwoordelijkheid op zich van de zorg voor deze grootste en belangrijkste begraafplaats van Brandenburg. Toeristische informatie Audiotour beschikbaar Alla fine di aprile 1945 più di 40.000 persone morirono nella battaglia della sacca di Halbe. Il clima mite dei primi giorni di maggio accelerò la decomposizione dei corpi, che dovettero dunque essere sepolti velocemente. Per prevenire il rischio di epidemie, l’autorità sovietica occupante stabilì che i morti dovessero essere sepolti immediatamente dove si trovavano, sia in fosse comuni, in giardini o crateri di bombe. Di conseguenza, molte sepolture temporanee furono create nelle foreste e lungo i sentieri, nonché molte tombe furono scavate nei giardini degli abitanti del luogo.  Nel 1951, sei anni dopo la battaglia, un pastore protestante locale, Ernst Teichmann, iniziò a raccogliere i corpi sepolti attorno ad Halbe in un cimitero centrale. Vicino al villaggio vi era una foresta di 7 ettari, grande abbastanza per ospitare tutte le sepolture dall’area della sacca di Halbe. Il cimitero, con i suoi 11 grandi campi di tombe, fu progettato da Walter Funcke e Karl Foerster.  Oggi, il cimitero della foresta di Halbe è il luogo dove riposano circa 24.000 vittime della battaglia della sacca di Halbe, inclusi soldati, civili e sovietici ai lavori forzati, e anche alcune persone che furono uccise nei luoghi di esecuzione di Berlino-Tegel e al campo di concentramento di Ketschendorf. Le risepolture continuano fino al giorno d’oggi. Nel 2002, la Commissione tedesca per le sepolture di guerra ha preso su di sé la responsabilità per la cura del cimitero più grande e importante nello stato di Brandeburgo. At the end of April 1945 more than 40.000 people died in the Battle of the Halbe Pocket. The warm weather of the first days of May accelerated the decay of the dead bodies, so that they had to be buried quickly. In order to counter the danger of epidemics, the local Soviet occupying authority stipulated that the dead were to be buried immediately where they lay, be it in mass graves, in gardens or in shell craters. As a result, numerous provisional gravesites were created in the forests and along the pathways; many single graves were dug in the gardens of the local villagers. In 1951, six years after the battle, a local Protestant minister, Ernst Teichmann, initiated the gathering of the bodies buried in and around Halbe into a central cemetery. Close to the village of Halbe was a 7 ha forest area, large enough to accommodate all the burials from the area of the pocket. The cemetery, with its eleven large fields of graves, was designed by Walter Funcke und Karl Foerster. Today, the Halbe Forest Cemetery is the resting place of some 24.000 victims of the Battle of the Halbe Pocket, including soldiers, civilians, Soviet forced labourers, and also of some people who were killed at the German execution site in Berlin-Tegel and at the Ketschendorf internment camp. The re-burials have continued to this day. In 2002, the German War Graves Commission assumed responsibility for the care of this largest and most important cemetery in the state of Brandenburg.

 Cimetière militaire de Halbe Waldfriedhof Halbe Cmentarz leśny w Halbe Oorlogsbegraafplaats Halbe Cimitero della foresta di Halbe Halbe Forest Cemetery

In February 1945, when the evacuated inhabitants returned to the Huertgen Forest in the Eifel Mountains after the end of the battle, they were greeted by a picture of horror: The villages were in ruins, the forest full of dead soldiers, and the landscape a desert of mud and wrecked equipment. The terrain was extensively mined, a deadly danger for the people. Until well into the 1950s, many mine-clearing experts and also civilians were killed by accidents involving ammunition. During the very hot summer of 1947, repeated incidences of the spontaneous ignition of phosphorus ammunition sparked fires that were almost impossible to extinguish. The inhabitants of the region were subjected every night to a terrible spectacle of forest fires that caused the sky of the northern Eifel Mountains to glow red, accompanied by the explosions of left-over ammunition. Not until October did the fires die down, leaving a literally scorched earth. Now, the work of recovering the dead could begin, most of it privately organized. Exactly how many soldiers in fact died is still not precisely known; the latest estimates are that there were some 10.000 German and 30.000 American dead in the Huertgen Forest battle area, a huge number for such a small area. To this day, hundreds of soldiers on both sides are still listed as missing in action, and the remains of soldiers continue to be found. While the German dead are interred at the local military cemetery, U.S. soldiers cannot, under U.S. law, be buried on enemy soil. Numerous fallen U.S. soldiers found their final resting places at the American Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, or at the American Cemetery of the Netherlands.

How many soldiers died is not known; there were some 10.000 German and 30.000 American dead in the Huertgen Forest battle area. While the German dead are interred at the local military cemetery, U.S. soldiers cannot be buried on enemy soil. U.S. soldiers found their final resting places at the American Cemeteries in Belgium, or the Netherlands.

In February 1945, when the evacuated inhabitants returned to the Huertgen Forest in the Eifel Mountains after the end of the battle, they were greeted by a picture of horror: The villages were in ruins, the forest full of dead soldiers, and the landscape a desert of mud and wrecked equipment. The terrain was extensively mined, a deadly danger for the people. Until well into the 1950s, many mine-clearing experts and also civilians were killed by accidents involving ammunition.

During the very hot summer of 1947, repeated incidences of the spontaneous ignition of phosphorus ammunition sparked fires that were almost impossible to extinguish. The inhabitants of the region were subjected every night to a terrible spectacle of forest fires that caused the sky of the northern Eifel Mountains to glow red, accompanied by the explosions of left-over ammunition. Not until October did the fires die down, leaving a literally scorched earth.

Now, the work of recovering the dead could begin, most of it privately organized. Exactly how many soldiers in fact died is still not precisely known; the latest estimates are that there were some 10.000 German and 30.000 American dead in the Huertgen Forest battle area, a huge number for such a small area.

To this day, hundreds of soldiers on both sides are still listed as missing in action, and the remains of soldiers continue to be found. While the German dead are interred at the local military cemetery, U.S. soldiers cannot, under U.S. law, be buried on enemy soil. Numerous fallen U.S. soldiers found their final resting places at the American Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, or at the American Cemetery of the Netherlands.

Geschichtsverein Hürtgenwald

U.S soldiers and their final resting places

 En février 1945, à la fin de la bataille de Hürtgen, quand les populations évacuées regagnent les montagnes de l'Eifel, elles trouvent un paysage d'horreur : les villages sont en ruine ; la forêt est jonchée de corps ; et tout n'est que boue et débris militaires. En outre, le sol est truffé de mines, mettant la vie des habitants en danger. Jusque vers le milieu des années 1950, de nombreux démineurs et civils sont accidentellement tués par des munitions. Pendant la canicule de l'été 1947, les munitions au phosphore prennent régulièrement feu par un phénomène de combustion spontanée, ce qui provoque des incendies quasiment impossibles à éteindre. Toutes les nuits, les habitants de la région voient avec effarement le ciel s'embraser au nord de l'Eifel, tandis que les munitions restantes explosent. Les incendies ne prennent fin qu'en octobre, laissant place à une terre meurtrie. C'est alors que les morts sont enfin évacués, ces opérations étant souvent organisées à titre privé. On ne sait pas exactement combien de soldats ont péri pendant la guerre. Dans la forêt de Hürtgen, selon les dernières estimations, les pertes humaines s'élèveraient à environ 10 000 côté allemand et 30 000 côté américain, chiffres énormes pour une zone aussi restreinte. Aujourd'hui encore, des centaines de soldats sont portés disparus dans les deux camps et des corps continuent d'être découverts. Si les soldats allemands sont enterrés dans le cimetière militaire local, aux États-Unis, la loi interdit d'installer les sépultures en terre ennemie. C'est pourquoi de nombreux soldats américains reposent aux Pays-Bas et dans le cimetière d'Henri-Chapelle, en Belgique. W lutym 1945 r., kiedy po zakończeniu bitwy ewakuowana ludność cywilna powróciła do lasów Huertgen w górach Eifel, przywitał ich obraz jak z horroru. Wsie leżały w gruzach, lasy pełne były ciał żołnierzy, a krajobraz przypominał pustynię błota i wraków. Teren był gęsto zaminowany stanowiąc śmiertelną pułapkę. Jeszcze długo po 1950 r. wielu saperów, a także cywilów zginęło w wypadkach z niewybuchami. Latem 1947 r., które było gorętsze niż zwykle, powtarzały się przypadki samozapłonu fosforu, amunicja stawała się zarzewiem ognia niemal nie do opanowania. Co noc mieszkańcy regionu stawali wobec przerażającego widowiska pożaru lasów, które świeciły czerwoną łuną na niebie nad północnym pasmem gór Eifel. Towarzyszyły im eksplozje rozsianej amunicji. Pożary nie gasły aż do października pozostawiając po sobie dosłownie spaloną na popiół ziemię. Teraz można było zacząć starania o poszukiwania poległych, organizowane głównie prywatnie. Nadal nie wiadomo, ilu dokładnie żołnierzy poległo. Najświeższe dane szacunkowe mówią o około 10.000 Niemców i 30.000 Amerykanów poległych na terenie bitwy o lasy Huertgen. Jest to olbrzymia liczba jak na tak mały teren. Do dnia dzisiejszego setki żołnierzy obu stron figurują jako zaginieni w akcji, nadal też znajduje się ich szczątki. Ciała Niemców grzebie się na lokalnym cmentarzu wojskowym, natomiast prawo USA zabrania chowania żołnierzy amerykańskich na terytorium wroga. Wielu poległych Amerykanów znalazło miejsce ostatecznego spoczynku na amerykańskim cmentarzu w Henri-Chapelle (Belgia) lub w Holandii. Als die während der Schlacht evakuierten Bewohner des Hürtgenwalds in der Eifel im Februar 1945 in ihre Heimatorte zurückkehrten, empfing sie ein Bild des Grauens: Die Dörfer lagen in Trümmern, der Wald war voller toter Soldaten und das Land eine von zerstörtem Kriegsgerät übersäte Schlammwüste. Das gesamte Gebiet war stark vermint und damit eine tödliche Gefahr für die Menschen. Noch bis weit in die 1950er Jahre hinein wurden sowohl Spezialisten für Minenentschärfung als auch Anwohner durch explodierende Blindgänger getötet. Im heißen Sommer 1947 kam es aufgrund der unkontrollierten Explosion von Phosphormunition wiederholt zu kaum zu löschenden Bränden. Die Menschen erlebten fast jede Nacht das furchtbare Schauspiel der Waldbrände, die den Himmel über der Eifel glutrot färbten - begleitet von den Explosionen herumliegender Munition. Erst Ende Oktober ebbten die Brände ab, hinterließen aber wortwörtlich verbrannte Erde. Jetzt erst konnte mit der Bergung der Toten begonnen werden, die zumeist privat organisiert wurde. Wie viele Soldaten in dieser Region starben, ist noch immer nicht genau bekannt. Jüngste Schätzungen gehen von etwa 10.000 deutschen und 30.000 amerikanischen Toten im Hürtgenwald aus, was für ein so kleines Gebiet eine enorme Zahl ist. Bis heute gelten noch Hunderte von Soldaten beider Seiten als vermisst, und noch immer werden Leichen gefunden. Während die deutschen Gefallenen auf dem lokalen Soldatenfriedhof bestattet sind, dürfen US-Soldaten nach amerikanischem Recht nicht in feindlichem Boden begraben sein. Deshalb fanden viele von ihnen ihre letzte Ruhestätte auf dem amerikanischen Soldatenfriedhof von Henri-Chapelle in Belgien oder dem amerikanischen Soldatenfriedhof in den Niederlanden. In februari 1945, toen de geëvacueerde bewoners van het Huertgenwald in het Eifelgebergte, naar hun woonplaatsen terugkeerden werden ze getroffen door een helse aanblik: de dorpen lagen in puin, in de bossen lagen duizenden dode soldaten en het landschap was één grote moddervlakte vol met achtergelaten wapentuig. Overal lagen landmijnen: een dodelijk gevaar voor de bewoners. Tot diep in de jaren ’50 kwamen er experts van de explosievenopruimingsdiensten om bij het demonteren van bommen, granaten en mijnen. Ook veel burgers stierven ten gevolge van ongelukken met achtergebleven wapentuig. Gedurende de extreem hete zomer van 1947 kwam het herhaaldelijk voor dat spontane ontbranding van in de bossen achtergelaten fosformunitie, onblusbare bosbranden veroorzaakte. ‘s Nachts werden de bewoners regelmatig geconfronteerd met een rode gloed boven het landschap en ontploffingen van achtergelaten granaten. Pas in oktober kwam er een einde aan dit inferno en kon, meestal op privé initiatief, het opruimen van de duizenden lijken beginnen. Hoeveel soldaten er precies omkwamen bij gevechten in het Huertgenwald is onbekend. De laatste schattingen houden het op 10.000 Duitse en 30.000 Amerikaanse doden; enorme aantallen voor zo’n klein gebied. Tot op heden zijn nog steeds honderden militairen van beide kanten opgegeven als vermist. Ook worden er nog steeds stoffelijke resten gevonden. Duitse militairen zijn en worden begraven op erevelden in de omgeving. Amerikaanse soldaten mogen wettelijk niet in vijandige bodem worden begraven. Talrijke gevallen Amerikanen hebben hun laatste rustplaats dan ook gevonden op de Amerikaanse begraafplaatsen in Henri-Chapelle in België en Margraten in Nederland. Nel febbraio 1945, al termine della battaglia, quando gli abitanti della foresta di Hürtgen nelle montagne dell’Eifel ritornarono alle proprie case dopo l’evacuazione, si trovarono davanti un terribile spettacolo: i villaggi erano in rovina, la foresta piena di soldati caduti e il paesaggio un deserto di fango e rovine di armamenti e veicoli. Il terreno era stato largamente minato e ciò rappresentava un pericolo mortale per le persone. Fino agli anni Cinquanta, molti esperti nella rimozione delle mine e anche civili morirono in incidenti. Durante la calda estate del 1947, continui casi di innesco spontaneo di munizioni al fosforo crearono degli incendi che erano praticamente impossibile da estinguere. Gli abitanti della regione dovevano assistere ogni notte a un terribile spettacolo di incendi boschivi che causava bagliori rossi nel cielo delle montagne settentrionali dell’Eifel, insieme alle esplosioni di munizioni. Gli incendi si fermarono solo nel mese di ottobre, lasciando letteralmente terra bruciata. Ora il recupero delle salme poteva iniziare, principalmente organizzato da privati. Il numero esatto dei soldati caduti non è ancora noto con precisione; le ultime stime si aggirano sui 10.000 tedeschi e 30.000 americani caduti nell’area della battaglia della foresta di Hürtgen, un numero enorme per un’area così piccola. Fino al presente, centinaia di soldati da entrambi gli schieramenti sono ancora segnalati come dispersi e resti di soldati continuano ad essere ritrovati. Mentre i soldati tedeschi caduti sono sepolti nei cimiteri militari locali, i soldati americani non possono essere sepolti sul suolo nemico secondo la legge americana. Molti soldati americani caduti trovarono dunque riposo nel cimitero americano di Henri-Chapelle in Belgio, o al cimitero americano dei Paesi Bassi. In February 1945, when the evacuated inhabitants returned to the Huertgen Forest in the Eifel Mountains after the end of the battle, they were greeted by a picture of horror: The villages were in ruins, the forest full of dead soldiers, and the landscape a desert of mud and wrecked equipment. The terrain was extensively mined, a deadly danger for the people. Until well into the 1950s, many mine-clearing experts and also civilians were killed by accidents involving ammunition. During the very hot summer of 1947, repeated incidences of the spontaneous ignition of phosphorus ammunition sparked fires that were almost impossible to extinguish. The inhabitants of the region were subjected every night to a terrible spectacle of forest fires that caused the sky of the northern Eifel Mountains to glow red, accompanied by the explosions of left-over ammunition. Not until October did the fires die down, leaving a literally scorched earth. Now, the work of recovering the dead could begin, most of it privately organized. Exactly how many soldiers in fact died is still not precisely known; the latest estimates are that there were some 10.000 German and 30.000 American dead in the Huertgen Forest battle area, a huge number for such a small area. To this day, hundreds of soldiers on both sides are still listed as missing in action, and the remains of soldiers continue to be found. While the German dead are interred at the local military cemetery, U.S. soldiers cannot, under U.S. law, be buried on enemy soil. Numerous fallen U.S. soldiers found their final resting places at the American Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, or at the American Cemetery of the Netherlands.

 Cimetières militaires (forêt de Hürtgen, Belgique, Pays-Bas) Cmentarze wojenne (lasy Huertgen, Belgia, Holandia) Soldatenfriedhöfe (Hürtgenwald, Belgien, Niederlande) Oorlogsbegraafplaatsen in Huertgenwald, Henri-Chapelle en Margraten Cimiteri di guerra (Foresta di Hürtgen, Belgio, Paesi Bassi) U.S soldiers and their final resting places

The Canadian War Cemetery called Bény-sur-Mer (but actually located in the town area of Reviers), overlooks Juno Beach where the 3rd Canadian Division landed on 6 June 1944. The cemetery contains the remains of over 2000 Canadian soldiers who fell during the first weeks of the Battle of Normandy, notably during the bloody confrontation with the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend before the liberation of Caen on 9 July.A second Canadian cemetery in Normandy is located in Bretteville-sur-Laize, south of Caen. This is the final resting place of 2800 Canadian soldiers who fell during the very laborious advancement of the 2nd Canadian Corps towards Falaise between July and August 1944.Like in other Commonwealth war cemeteries, the light coloured graves are arranged in rows of tombstones. Each slab bears the number, name and surname of the soldier, his age, his rank, the name of his unit, the date of his death, as well as the emblem of his regiment (by default a maple leaf for Canadian nationals). If appropriate, a religious symbol indicates the soldier’s confession. Families were given the opportunity to add a personal thought or message. These affectionate words illustrate the magnitude of the human tragedy that accompanied the death of each of these men.

The cemetery at Bény-sur-Mer, located a few miles from Juno Beach, is one of two Canadian military cemeteries in Normandy. In total they harbour 4.800 graves of soldiers killed during the fighting in the summer of 1944. The tombstones demonstrate the importance of Canadian participation in the liberation of France and Northwestern Europe.

The Canadian War Cemetery called Bény-sur-Mer (but actually located in the town area of Reviers) overlooks Juno Beach, where the 3rd Canadian Division landed on 6 June 1944. The cemetery contains the remains of over 2.000 Canadian soldiers who fell during the first weeks of the Battle of Normandy, notably during the bloody confrontation with the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend before the liberation of Caen on 9 July.

A second Canadian cemetery in Normandy is located in Bretteville-sur-Laize, south of Caen. It is the final resting place of 2.800 Canadian soldiers who fell during the very laborious advancement of the 2nd Canadian Corps towards Falaise between July and August 1944.

Like in other Commonwealth war cemeteries, the light coloured graves are arranged in rows of tombstones. Each slab bears the number, name and surname of the soldier, his age, his rank, the name of his unit, the date of his death, as well as the emblem of his regiment (by default a maple leaf for Canadian nationals). If appropriate, a religious symbol indicates the soldier’s confession. Families were given the opportunity to add a personal thought or message. These affectionate words illustrate the magnitude of the human tragedy that accompanied the death of each of these men.

Calvados tourisme

Le Mémorial de Caen

Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery

Le cimetière militaire canadien de Bény-sur-Mer (qui se trouve en réalité dans la commune de Reviers) surplombe la plage de Juno Beach, où débarqua la 3e division canadienne le 6 juin 1944. Il abrite les corps de plus de 2 000 soldats canadiens tombés au cours des premières semaines de la Bataille de Normandie, notamment lors de la confrontation meurtrière avec la 12e Panzerdivision SS Hitlerjugend, qui se déroula avant la libération de la ville de Caen le 9 juillet. Le second cimetière militaire canadien en Normandie se trouve à Bretteville-sur-Laize, au sud de Caen. Il abrite quant à lui les corps de 2 800 soldats canadiens tombés entre juillet et août 1944, alors que le 2e corps d'armée canadien progressait difficilement en direction de Falaise. À l'instar des autres cimetières militaires du Commonwealth, les stèles sont de couleur claire et alignées pour constituer des rangées. Chaque pierre tombale porte le matricule, le nom et le prénom du soldat, ainsi que son âge, son grade, le nom de son unité, la date de sa mort et l'emblème de son régiment (ou, à défaut, une feuille d'érable pour les soldats canadiens). Le cas échéant, un symbole religieux correspondant à la confession du soldat est également présent. Par ailleurs, les familles ont eu la possibilité d'ajouter une pensée personnelle ou un message. Ces mots affectueux illustrent l'ampleur de la tragédie humaine causée par la mort de chacun de ces hommes. Der andere kanadische Soldatenfriedhof in der Normandie befindet sich in Bretteville-sur-Laize, südlich von Caen. Er ist letzte Ruhestätte für 2.800 kanadische Soldaten, die während des äußerst mühevollen Vormarsches des 2. kanadischen Korps auf Falaise im Juli und August 1944 gefallen sind. Wie auf anderen Kriegsgräberstätten des Commonwealth sind die hell leuchtenden Gräber in Reihen von Grabplatten angeordnet. Auf jeder Grabplatte sind die Nummer sowie der Vor- und Familienname des Soldaten, sein Alter, sein Rang, der Name seiner Einheit, sein Todesdatum sowie das Emblem seines Regiments (oder, falls nicht vorhanden, ein Ahornblatt für kanadische Bürger) eingraviert. Gegebenenfalls weist ein religiöses Symbol auf die Religionszugehörigkeit des Soldaten hin. Ihren Familien wurde die Möglichkeit gegeben, einen persönlichen Gedanken oder eine Botschaft hinzuzufügen. Diese gefühlvollen Worte illustrieren die Größe der menschlichen Tragödie, die den Tod jedes dieser Männer begleitete. Kanadyjski Cmentarz Wojenny noszący nazwę miejscowości Bény-sur-Mer (choć w rzeczywistości leży w granicach miasta Reviers) otwiera widok na plażę Juno, gdzie w dniu 6 czerwca 1944 r. wylądowała 3. Dywizja Kanadyjska. Na cmentarzu pochowano ponad 2.000 żołnierzy kanadyjskich, poległych w pierwszych tygodniach bitwy o Normandię, szczególnie podczas krwawej potyczki z 12. Dywizją Pancerną SS Hitlerjugend przed wyzwoleniem Caen w dniu 9 lipca. Drugi cmentarz kanadyjski w Normandii mieści się w Bretteville-sur-Laize, na południe od Caen. Tu miejsce ostatniego spoczynku znalazło 2.800 żołnierzy kanadyjskich, którzy stracili życie podczas nadzwyczaj trudnego natarcia 2. Korpusu Kanadyjskiego na Falaise między lipcem a sierpniem 1944 r. Podobnie jak na innych cmentarzach wojennych Wspólnoty Brytyjskiej, groby znaczone są rzędami jasnych kamieni nagrobkowych. Każda płyta nosi numer, imię i nazwisko żołnierza, jego szarżę, nazwę jednostki, datę zgonu, a także emblemat pułku (w przypadku rodzimych Kanadyjczyków przyjęto z założenia liść klonu). W niektórych przypadkach symbol religijny sugeruje wyznanie żołnierza. Rodzinom umożliwiono dodanie osobistego przesłania lub sentencji. Właśnie te, przepełnione uczuciem słowa, ilustrują ogrom ludzkiej tragedii, która towarzyszyła śmierci każdego z mężczyzn. De Canadese Begraafplaats heet Beny-sur-Mer, maar ligt eigenlijk op het grondgebied van Reviers. Van hieruit kijk je uit op Juno Beach, waar de 3e Canadese Divisie landde op 6 juni 1944. Op de begraafplaats liggen de stoffelijke overschotten van meer dan 2.000 Canadese soldaten die sneuvelden tijdens de eerste weken van de Slag om Normandië, met name de bloedige confrontatie met de 12e SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend tijdens de bevrijding van Caen op 9 juli. Een tweede Canadese begraafplaats in Normandië ligt in Bretteville-sur-Laize, ten zuiden van Caen. Dit is de laatste rustplaats van 2.800 Canadese soldaten die sneuvelden tijdens de zeer moeizame opmars van het 2e Canadese Leger richting Falaise tussen juli en augustus 1944. Net als in andere oorlogsbegraafplaatsen van het Gemenebest zijn de graven met licht gekleurde grafstenen opgesteld in rijen. Elke plaat draagt het nummer, de naam en voornaam van de soldaat, zijn leeftijd, zijn rang, de naam van zijn eenheid, de datum van zijn dood en het embleem van zijn regiment (voor Canadese onderdanen is dat standaard een maple leaf, een esdoornblad). Indien van toepassing geeft een religieus symbool de religie of gezindte aan van de soldaat. Gezinnen kregen de gelegenheid om een persoonlijke gedachte of bericht toe te voegen. Deze toegewijde woorden illustreren de omvang van de menselijke tragedie die de dood van elk van deze mannen omringt. Toeristische informatie Ga voor meer informatie en de openingstijden naar:&nbsp;http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2004600/BENY-SUR-MER%20CANADIAN%20WAR%20CEMETERY,%20REVIERS Il cimitero canadese chiamato di Bény-sur-Mer (ma in realtà situato nella città di Reviers) guarda Juno Beach, dove la Terza divisione canadese sbarcò il 6 giugno 1944. Il cimitero contiene i resti di più di 2.000 soldati che morirono nelle prime settimane della battaglia di Normandia, e soprattutto durante i sanguinosi confronti con la 12esima Divisione Panzer Hitlerjugend prima della liberazione di Caen il 9 luglio. Un secondo cimitero canadese in Normandia si trova a Bretteville-sur-Laize, a sud di Caen. È il luogo di riposo ultimo di 2.800 soldati canadesi che morirono durante la difficile avanzata del Secondo corpo canadese verso Falaise tra il luglio e l’agosto del 1944. Come in altri cimiteri del Commonwealth, le tombe di pietra chiara sono sistemate in file. Ogni pietra tombale porta il numero, nome e cognome del soldato, la sua età, il suo grado, il nome della sua unità, la data di morte e anche l’emblema del suo reggimento (una foglia d’acero per i canadesi). Se appropriato, un simbolo religioso indica la confessione del soldato. Le famiglie dei caduti hanno avuto l’opportunità di aggiungere un pensiero o un messaggio personale. Queste parole affettuose mostrano la grandezza della tragedia umana che accompagnava la morte di ognuno di questi uomini. The Canadian War Cemetery called Bény-sur-Mer (but actually located in the town area of Reviers), overlooks Juno Beach where the 3rd Canadian Division landed on 6 June 1944. The cemetery contains the remains of over 2000 Canadian soldiers who fell during the first weeks of the Battle of Normandy, notably during the bloody confrontation with the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend before the liberation of Caen on 9 July.A second Canadian cemetery in Normandy is located in Bretteville-sur-Laize, south of Caen. This is the final resting place of 2800 Canadian soldiers who fell during the very laborious advancement of the 2nd Canadian Corps towards Falaise between July and August 1944.Like in other Commonwealth war cemeteries, the light coloured graves are arranged in rows of tombstones. Each slab bears the number, name and surname of the soldier, his age, his rank, the name of his unit, the date of his death, as well as the emblem of his regiment (by default a maple leaf for Canadian nationals). If appropriate, a religious symbol indicates the soldier’s confession. Families were given the opportunity to add a personal thought or message. These affectionate words illustrate the magnitude of the human tragedy that accompanied the death of each of these men.

 Cimetière militaire canadien de Bény-sur-Mer Kanadischer Soldatenfriedhof in Bény-sur-Mer Kanadyjski Cmentarz Wojenny Bény-sur-Mer Canadese militaire begraafplaats Bény-sur-Mer Cimitero canadese di Bény-sur-Mer Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery

From December 1943 onward the German repression in Normandy intensified. Over six months more than 200 resistance fighters were arrested by the Gestapo, the German secret police. On receiving news of the Allied landings, the German commander of the Caen prison decided to apply standing orders in case of an alert. He wanted to send all Gestapo detainees to Germany, to avoid them falling into Allied hands. Other detainees, who were to be judged by Wehrmacht (army) courts, were to be deported to Germany or freed, depending on the gravity of the accusations they faced.The Feldkommandantur (area headquarters) confirmed Commander Hoffman’s orders, but Allied bombing of the Caen train station had left the railway system totally unusable. The Germans possessed neither the trucks nor the personnel to safely evacuate the prisoners. At about eight o'clock in the morning Harald Heyns, head of the Caen Gestapo, arrived at the prison to inform Hoffman that the decision had been taken to immediately execute the prisoners.From morning to nightfall, by groups of six, 87 prisoners were executed in the prison's small courtyards. The women's quarters were not exempt. Some twenty detainees were moved to Fresnes. The bodies of the executed were buried in the courtyards in hastily dug trenches and covered with lime. At the end of June 1944 the Germans returned to the scene, exhumed the corpses and took them to a burial site which still remains unknown today.

As soon as the news of the D-Day landings in Normandy was heard, the head of the Caen Gestapo decided to execute all Allied prisoners held at the Caen jail. 87 of them were shot in the prison courtyard throughout the day of 6 June 1944. Their bodies were never found.

From December 1943 on the German repression in Normandy intensified. In six months time over 200 resistance fighters were arrested by the Gestapo, the German secret police. On receiving news of the Allied landings, the German commander of the Caen prison decided to apply standing orders in case of alert. He wanted to send all Gestapo detainees to Germany, to avoid them falling into Allied hands. Other detainees, who were to be judged by Wehrmacht (army) courts, were to be deported to Germany or freed, depending on the gravity of the accusations they faced. The Feldkommandantur (area headquarters) confirmed Commander Hoffman’s orders, but Allied bombing of the Caen train station had left the railway system totally unusable. The Germans possessed neither the trucks nor the personnel to safely evacuate the prisoners.

At about eight o'clock in the morning Harald Heyns, head of the Caen Gestapo arrived at the prison to inform Hoffman that the decision had been taken to immediately execute the prisoners. From morning to nightfall, by groups of six, 87 prisoners were executed in the prison's small courtyards. The women's quarters were not exempt. Some twenty detainees were moved to Fresnes. The bodies of the executed were buried in the courtyards in hastily dug trenches and covered with lime. At the end of June 1944 the Germans returned to the scene, exhumed the corpses and took them to a burial site which still remains unknown today.

Mémorial de Caen

Executions at Caen prison

À partir de décembre&nbsp;1943, la répression allemande en Normandie s'intensifie. En six mois, plus de 200&nbsp;résistants sont arrêtés par la Gestapo, la police secrète allemande. En apprenant la nouvelle des débarquements alliés, le commandant allemand de la prison décide d'appliquer les consignes prévues en cas d'alerte. Il veut envoyer tous les prisonniers de la Gestapo en Allemagne afin d'éviter qu'ils ne tombent aux mains des Alliés. D'autres détenus, en attente d'être jugés par les tribunaux de la Wehrmacht, devront être déportés vers l'Allemagne ou libérés, selon la gravité des accusations qui pèsent contre eux.La Feldkommandantur (quartier général des autorités allemandes) confirme les ordres du commandant Hoffman&nbsp;;&nbsp;mais la gare de Caen, bombardée par les Alliés, est totalement inutilisable, et les Allemands ne possèdent ni les camions ni le personnel nécessaire pour évacuer les prisonniers en toute sécurité. Il est environ huit heures du matin lorsque Harald Heyns, chef de la Gestapo de Caen, arrive à la prison et informe Hoffman que la décision a été prise d'exécuter immédiatement les prisonniers.Du matin à la tombée de la nuit, par groupes de six, 87&nbsp;prisonniers sont exécutés dans les courettes de la prison. Le quartier des femmes ne sera pas épargné. Une vingtaine de détenus sont transférés à Fresnes. Les corps des fusillés sont enterrés dans la cour dans des tranchées creusées à la hâte et recouvertes de chaux. Fin juin&nbsp;1944, les Allemands reviennent sur place, exhument les corps et les emmènent dans un lieu qui n'a depuis jamais été découvert. Od grudnia 1943 r. Niemcy zaostrzyli represje w Normandii. W ciągu sześciu miesięcy Gestapo aresztowało ponad 200 członków Ruchu Oporu. Otrzymawszy wiadomość o lądowaniach alianckich, niemiecki naczelnik więzienia w Caen podjął decyzję o wykonaniu rozkazów wydanych na wypadek sytuacji zagrożenia. Tego samego ranka miał wyekspediować do Niemiec wszystkich więźniów Gestapo, aby nie wpadli w ręce Aliantów. Inni więźniowie, oczekujący na procesy przed sądami Wehrmachtu mieli być deportowani do Niemiec, albo zwolnieni, zależnie od powagi stawianych im zarzutów. Dowództwo Feldkommandantur potwierdziło rozkazy dla komendanta Hoffman’a, ale zbombardowanie przez Aliantów stacji w Caen sparaliżowało sieć kolejową. Niemcy nie mieli do dyspozycji ani pojazdów, ani personelu koniecznego dla bezpiecznej ewakuacji więźniów. Około godziny 8 rano Harald Heyns, naczelnik Gestapo w Caen, przybył do więzienia z informacją dla Hoffman’a o podjęciu decyzji o natychmiastowym przeprowadzeniu egzekucji więźniów. Od rana do zmierzchu, na niewielkim dziedzińcu więzienia rozstrzelano 87 więźniów w grupach po sześć osób. Nie oszczędzono kobiet. Około dwudziestu zatrzymanych zostało przewiezionych do Fresnes. Ciała rozstrzelanych pogrzebano na dziedzińcu, w pospiesznie wykopanych rowach i przesypano wapnem. Pod koniec czerwca 1944 r. Niemcy powrócili na miejsce, ekshumowali zwłoki i przewieźli na miejsce pochówku, które po dziś dzień pozostaje nieznane. De Duitse onderdrukking in Normandië werd vanaf december 1943 steeds feller. Gedurende 6 maanden werden 200 verzetsstrijders gearresteerd door de Gestapo, de Duitse geheime politiedienst. Nadat de Duitse commandant van de gevangenis van Caen het nieuws over de landingen van D-Day in Normandië hoorde, besloot hij om de standaard procedure in te laten gaan in het geval van alarm. Hij wilde alle gevangenen van de Gestapo naar Duitsland sturen, om zo de geallieerden ervan te weerhouden hen te bevrijden. Andere gevangen, die het vonnis van de Duitse rechtbank afwachtten, werden naar Duitsland gestuurd of vrijgelaten, dat hing af van de zwaarte van de aanklacht. De feldkommandantur (hoofdkantoor van de regio) bevestigde commandant Hoffman’s bevelen. Maar door de bombardementen van de geallieerden op het treinstation van Caen werkte de spoorwegen niet meer. De Duitsers beschikten noch over vrachtwagens, noch over het personeel om de gevangenen veilig te evacueren. Rond acht uur ’s ochtends arriveerde Harald Heyns, het hoofd van de Duitse Gestapo in Caen, met de boodschap dat de gevangenen direct geëxecuteerd moesten worden. Van ’s morgens vroeg tot ’s avonds laat werden 87 gevangenen, in groepjes van zes, geëxecuteerd op de kleine binnenplaats van de gevangenis. Voor de vrouwen werd geen uitzondering gemaakt. Ongeveer twintig gevangenen werden naar Fresnes overgeplaatst. De lichamen van de geëxecuteerden werden in haastig gegraven kuilen op de binnenplaats begraven, bedekt met ongebluste kalk. Aan het eind van juni 1944 keerden de Duitsers terug naar de binnenplaats. Ze groeven de lijken op om ze vervolgens naar een tot nu toe onbekende begraafplaats te brengen. Ab Dezember 1943 verschärften sich die Repressionsmaßnahmen der Deutschen in der Normandie. Binnen sechs Monaten wurden mehr als 200 Widerstandskämpfer der Résistance von der Gestapo verhaftet. Als der deutsche Kommandant des Gefängnisses von Caen von der Landung der Alliierten erfuhr, entschied er, seine Dienstanweisungen für diesen Fall zu befolgen. Er wollte sämtliche Gestapohäftlinge nach Deutschland schicken, damit sie nicht den Alliierten in die Hände fielen. Andere Häftlinge, die von Militärgerichten abgeurteilt werden sollten, sollten je nach Schwere des ihnen zur Last gelegten Vergehens entweder nach Deutschland deportiert oder freigelassen werden. Die Feldkommandantur bestätigte die Befehle des Kommandanten Hoffmann , doch durch die Bombenangriffe der Alliierten auf den Bahnhof von Caen war das Schienennetz vollkommen zerstört worden, und die Deutschen besaßen weder Lastwagen noch das nötige Personal, um die Gefangenen sicher evakuieren zu können. Etwa gegen acht Uhr morgens traf der Gestapoleiter von Caen, Harald Heyns, im Gefängnis ein und teilte Hoffmann mit, man habe die Entscheidung getroffen, die Gefangenen sofort zu exekutieren. Daraufhin wurden in den kleinen Innenhöfen des Gefängnisses vom Morgen bis zum Anbruch der Dunkelheit insgesamt 87 Gefangene – in Gruppen von jeweils sechs Häftlingen – exekutiert. Auch der Frauentrakt blieb davon nicht ausgenommen. Etwa zwanzig Häftlinge wurden nach Fresnes verlegt. Die Leichen der Exekutierten warf man in eilig ausgehobene Gräben in den Innenhöfen und bedeckte sie mit Kalk. Ende Juni 1944 kehrten die Deutschen zurück, exhumierten die Leichen und brachten sie an eine bis heute unbekannte Begräbnisstätte. La repressione tedesca in Normandia si intensificò a partire dal dicembre 1943. In sei mesi più di 200 combattenti della resistenza furono arrestati dalla Gestapo, la polizia segreta tedesca. Alla notizia dello sbarco degli alleati, il comandante tedesco della prigione di Caen decise di applicare gli ordini permanenti in caso di allarme. Voleva inviare tutti i detenuti della Gestapo in Germania, per evitare che cadessero nelle mani degli Alleati. Gli altri detenuti, che dovevano essere giudicati dai tribunali della Wehrmacht (cioè dell'esercito), dovevano essere deportati in Germania o liberati, a seconda della gravità delle accuse. La Feldkommandantur (quartier generale di zona) confermò gli ordini del comandante Hoffman, ma il bombardamento alleato della stazione ferroviaria di Caen aveva lasciato il sistema ferroviario totalmente inutilizzabile. Le forze tedesche non possedevano né i mezzi né il personale per evacuare in sicurezza i prigionieri. Verso le otto del mattino Harald Heyns, capo della Gestapo di Caen, arrivò alla prigione per informare Hoffman che era stata presa la decisione di giustiziare immediatamente i prigionieri. Dalla mattina alla sera, a gruppi di sei, 87 prigionieri furono giustiziati nei piccoli cortili della prigione. Gli alloggi delle donne non furono esenti. Una ventina di detenuti furono trasferiti a Fresnes. I corpi dei giustiziati furono sepolti nei cortili in trincee scavate in fretta e coperti di calce. Alla fine di giugno 1944 le forze tedesche tornarono sul posto, riesumarono i cadaveri e li portarono in un luogo di sepoltura che ancora oggi rimane sconosciuto. From December 1943 onward the German repression in Normandy intensified. Over six months more than 200 resistance fighters were arrested by the Gestapo, the German secret police. On receiving news of the Allied landings, the German commander of the Caen prison decided to apply standing orders in case of an alert. He wanted to send all Gestapo detainees to Germany, to avoid them falling into Allied hands. Other detainees, who were to be judged by Wehrmacht (army) courts, were to be deported to Germany or freed, depending on the gravity of the accusations they faced.The Feldkommandantur (area headquarters) confirmed Commander Hoffman’s orders, but Allied bombing of the Caen train station had left the railway system totally unusable. The Germans possessed neither the trucks nor the personnel to safely evacuate the prisoners. At about eight o'clock in the morning Harald Heyns, head of the Caen Gestapo, arrived at the prison to inform Hoffman that the decision had been taken to immediately execute the prisoners.From morning to nightfall, by groups of six, 87 prisoners were executed in the prison's small courtyards. The women's quarters were not exempt. Some twenty detainees were moved to Fresnes. The bodies of the executed were buried in the courtyards in hastily dug trenches and covered with lime. At the end of June 1944 the Germans returned to the scene, exhumed the corpses and took them to a burial site which still remains unknown today.

 Exécutions à la prison de Caen Egzekucje w więzieniu w Caen Executies in de gevangenis van Caen Exekutionen im Gefängnis von Caen Fucilazioni alla prigione di Caen Executions at Caen prison

The Dutch Brigade landed at the same day as the Belgian 1st Infantry Brigade, on 8 August 1944, in Graye-sur-mer and Arromanches as part of ongoing reinforcements sent to Normandy. 1,200 men attached to the 6th British Airborne division operated under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Albert de Ruyter van Stevenink. The unit was created in February 1941 in England with Dutch soldiers who had escaped after the German Occupation of the Netherlands in 1940. Numbers were subsequently made up with Dutch men from the United Kingdom, the Unites States, Canada and South Africa. The resulting Brigade was named ‘Irene’ in honour of one of the granddaughters of Queen Wilhelmina, who had herself taken refuge in Britain. The Dutch Brigade came into action in Normandy on 17 August to the east of the river Orne. It won fame particularly through the heavy fighting at the Saint-Côme Castle near Bréville-les-Monts. On 23 August the troops received the visit of Prince Bernhard, Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the Netherlands. Three days later, together with the British 6th Airborne Division, they liberated the town of Pont-Audemer. Engaged in Operation Paddle, they reached the Seine on 30 August 1944. After the Normandy campaign, the Irene Brigade took part in the liberation of Northern France and Belgium, before returning to liberate the south part of their native land in September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden.

The Royal Netherlands Princess Irene Brigade landed in Arromanches on 8 August 1944. Attached to the 6th British Airborne Division, the Brigade took part in Operation Paddle for the liberation of the Pays d’Auge area starting on 17 August. The Princess Irene Brigade was thus the first Allied unit to liberate Pont-Audemer on 26 August 1944.

The Dutch Brigade landed at the same day as the Belgian 1st Infantry Brigade, on 8 August 1944, in Graye-sur-mer and Arromanches as part of ongoing reinforcements sent to Normandy. 1,200 men attached to the 6th British Airborne division operated under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Albert de Ruyter van Stevenink. The unit was created in February 1941 in England with Dutch soldiers who had escaped after the German Occupation of the Netherlands in 1940. Numbers were subsequently made up with Dutch men from the United Kingdom, the Unites States, Canada and South Africa.

The resulting Brigade was named ‘Irene’ in honour of one of the granddaughters of Queen Wilhelmina, who had herself taken refuge in Britain. The Dutch Brigade came into action in Normandy on 17 August to the east of the river Orne. It won fame particularly through the heavy fighting at the Saint-Côme Castle near Bréville-les-Monts. On 23 August the troops received the visit of Prince Bernhard, Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the Netherlands. Three days later, together with the British 6th Airborne Division, they liberated the town of Pont-Audemer. Engaged in Operation Paddle, they reached the Seine on 30 August 1944. After the Normandy campaign, the Irene Brigade took part in the liberation of Northern France and Belgium, before returning to liberate the south part of their native land in September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden.

Mémorial de Caen 

Dutch troops in Normandy

La brigade néerlandaise débarque en même temps que la 1re brigade d'infanterie belge, le 8 août 1944, à Graye-sur-mer et Arromanches dans le cadre du flot continu de renforts envoyés en Normandie. Les 1 200 hommes rattachés à la 6e division aéroportée britannique sont placés sous le commandement du lieutenant-colonel Albert de Ruyter van Stevenink. Cette unité, créée en Angleterre en février 1941, est initialement composée de soldats néerlandais qui ont fui l'Occupation allemande des Pays-Bas en 1940. Puis ses rangs grossissent avec l'arrivée de néerlandais du Royaume-Uni, des États-Unis, du Canada et d'Afrique du Sud. La brigade ainsi constituée est baptisée « Irène » en l'honneur d'une des petites-filles de la Reine Wilhelmina, qui a elle-même trouvé refuge en Grande-Bretagne. La brigade néerlandaise entre en action en Normandie le 17 août, à l'est de la rivière Orne, et restera célèbre pour ses combats acharnés au Château de Saint-Côme, près de Bréville-les-Monts. Le 23 août, les troupes reçoivent la visite du Prince Bernhard, commandant en chef des forces armées des Pays-Bas. Trois jours plus tard, elles rejoignent la 6e division aéroportée britannique et libèrent la ville de Pont-Audemer. Engagées dans l'opération Paddle, elles atteindront la Seine le 30 août 1944. Après la campagne de Normandie, la brigade Irène participe à la libération du nord de la France et de la Belgique, avant de libérer son propre pays en septembre 1944 dans le cadre de l'Opération Market Garden. Brygada holenderska wylądowała w tym samym czasie, co Brygada Piron, to jest w dniu 8 sierpnia 1944r. w Graye-sur-mer oraz Arromanches. 1.200 mężczyzn przydzielonych do 6 brytyjskiej Dywizji Powietrznodesantowej dowodził podpułkownik Albert de Ruyter van Stevenink. Jednostka została utworzona w lutym 1941r. w Anglii z żołnierzy holenderskich, którzy uciekli do Wielkiej Brytanii po zajęciu Holandii przez Niemców w 1940r. Jej liczebność rosła z czasem, uzupełniana przez Holendrów z Wielkiej Brytanii, Stanów Zjednoczonych, Kanady i Afryki Południowej. Powstałą w ten sposób brygadę nazwano imieniem “Irena” dla uczczenia córki Królowej Wilhelminy, która również schroniła się w Anglii. Holenderska brygada włączyła się do akcji w Normandii w dniu 17 sierpnia, na wschód od Orne. Wsławiła się szczególnie podczas ciężkich walk pod Saint-Côme Castle w pobliżu Bréville-les-Monts. W dniu 23 sierpnia oddziały zwizytował Książę Bernhard, Naczelny Dowódca holenderskich sił zbrojnych. Trzy dni później, wraz z Brytyjczykami z 6 Dywizji Powietrznodesantowej Holendrzy oswobodzili miasto Pont-Audemer. Podczas Operacji Paddle dotarli do Sekwany w dniu 30 sierpnia 1944r. Po kampanii w Normandii, Brygada Ireny wzięła udział w wyzwoleniu Północnej Francji i Belgii, po czym we wrześniu 1944r. powróciła do kraju. De Koninklijke Nederlandse Prinses Irene Brigade landde in Arromanches op 8 augustus 1944. Aangesloten bij de 6e Britse Luchtlandingsdivisie, nam de Brigade deel aan Operatie Paddle om de Pays d’Auge te bevrijden. Deze operatie begon op 17 augustus. De Prinses Irene Brigade was de eerste geallieerde eenheid om Pont-Audemer te bevrijden op 26 augustus 1944. De Nederlandse Irene Brigade landde op dezelfde dag als de 1e Belgische Infanterie Brigade, 8 augustus 1944, in Graye-sur-mer en Arromanches. Beiden namen deel aan de constante stroom van versterkingen die naar Normandië werden gestuurd. 1.200 man toegevoegd aan de 6e Britse Luchtlandingsdivisie vielen onder het bevel van luitenant-kolonel Albert de Ruyter van Stevenink. De eenheid was in februari 1941 samengesteld in Engeland en bestond uit Nederlandse soldaten die waren ontsnapt aan de Duitse bezetting van Nederland in 1940. Het uiteindelijke aantal werd bereikt door de troepen aan te vullen met Nederlanders uit het Verenigd Koninkrijk, de Verenigde Staten, Canada en Zuid-Afrika. De aldus gevormde brigade kreeg de naam ‘Irene’ ter ere van een van de kleinkinderen van koningin Wilhelmina die zelf ook als vluchtelinge in Engeland verbleef. De Nederlandse Irene Brigade kwam op 17 augustus in actie in Normandië, ten oosten van de rivier de Orne. De Irene Brigade werd vooral bekend door de hevige gevechten bij het kasteel van Saint-Côme in de buurt van Bréville-les-Monts. Op 23 augustus bezocht Prins Bernhard, opperbevelhebber van de Nederlandse troepen, de eenheid. Drie dagen later bevrijdde de eenheid samen met de 6e Britse Luchtlandingsdivisie het stadje Pont-Audemer. Betrokken bij operatie Paddle, bereikte ze de Seine op 20 augustus 1944. Na de campagne in Normandië nam de Prinses Irene Brigade deel aan de bevrijding van Noord-Frankrijk en België. Daarna keerde de eenheid terug naar het zuidelijke deel van hun vaderland om in september 1944 deel te nemen aan Operatie Market Garden. Im Rahmen der Truppenverstärkung in der Normandie landeten die niederländische Brigade und die belgische 1. Infanteriebrigade am gleichen Tag – am 8. August 1944 – in Graye-sur-mer und Arromanches. Die 1.200 Männer, die der 6. britischen Luftlandedivision angegliederte waren, operierten unter dem Kommando von Oberstleutnant Albert de Ruyter van Stevenink. Seine Einheit war im Februar 1941 in England aus niederländischen Soldaten zusammengestellt worden, die nach der deutschen Besetzung der Niederlande 1940 hatten fliehen können, und wurde durch niederländische Soldaten aus Großbritannien, den Vereinigten Staaten, Kanada und Südafrika zusätzlich verstärkt. Zu Ehren einer Enkelin von Königin Wilhelmina, die in Großbritannien Zuflucht gefunden hatte, trug die neu zusammengestellte Brigade den Namen »Irene«. In der Normandie wurde die niederländische Brigade am 17. August östlich der Orne in Gefechte verwickelt und erlangte insbesondere während der schweren Kämpfe um das Schloss Saint-Côme in der Nähe von Bréville-les-Monts Ruhm und Ehre. Am 23. August erhielten die Truppen Besuch von Prinz Bernhard, dem Oberbefehlshaber der niederländischen Streitkräfte. Gemeinsam mit der britischen 6. Luftlandedivision befreiten sie drei Tage später die Stadt Pont-Audemer und erreichten am 30. August 1944 im Rahmen der Operation Paddle die Seine. Nach der Militäroperation in der Normandie nahm die Brigade Irene an der Befreiung von Nordfrankreich und Belgien teil, um danach im September 1944 im Rahmen der Operation Market Garden den südlichen Teil ihres Heimatlandes zu befreien. La Brigata olandese sbarcò lo stesso giorno della 1a Brigata di fanteria belga, l'8 agosto 1944, a Graye-sur-mer e Arromanches come parte dei rinforzi inviati in Normandia. 1.200 uomini attaccati alla 6a divisione aviotrasportata britannica operavano sotto il comando del tenente colonnello Albert de Ruyter van Stevenink. L'unità fu creata nel febbraio 1941 in Inghilterra con soldati olandesi che erano fuggiti dopo l'occupazione tedesca dei Paesi Bassi nel 1940. Il contingente fu successivamente completato con uomini olandesi provenienti dal Regno Unito, dagli Stati Uniti, dal Canada e dal Sudafrica. La Brigata risultante fu chiamata "Irene" in onore di una delle nipoti della regina Guglielmina che si era rifugiata in Gran Bretagna. La Brigata olandese entrò in azione in Normandia il 17 agosto a est del fiume Orne. Si guadagnò fama soprattutto grazie ai pesanti combattimenti al castello di Saint-Côme vicino a Bréville-les-Monts. Il 23 agosto le truppe ricevettero la visita del principe Bernhard, comandante in capo delle forze armate dei Paesi Bassi. Tre giorni dopo, insieme alla 6ª Divisione aviotrasportata britannica, liberarono la città di Pont-Audemer. Impegnati nell'operazione Paddle, raggiunsero la Senna il 30 agosto 1944. Dopo la campagna di Normandia, la Brigata Irene prese parte alla liberazione della Francia settentrionale e del Belgio, prima di tornare a liberare la parte meridionale della loro terra natia nel settembre 1944 come parte dell'operazione Market Garden. The Dutch Brigade landed at the same day as the Belgian 1st Infantry Brigade, on 8 August 1944, in Graye-sur-mer and Arromanches as part of ongoing reinforcements sent to Normandy. 1,200 men attached to the 6th British Airborne division operated under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Albert de Ruyter van Stevenink. The unit was created in February 1941 in England with Dutch soldiers who had escaped after the German Occupation of the Netherlands in 1940. Numbers were subsequently made up with Dutch men from the United Kingdom, the Unites States, Canada and South Africa. The resulting Brigade was named ‘Irene’ in honour of one of the granddaughters of Queen Wilhelmina, who had herself taken refuge in Britain. The Dutch Brigade came into action in Normandy on 17 August to the east of the river Orne. It won fame particularly through the heavy fighting at the Saint-Côme Castle near Bréville-les-Monts. On 23 August the troops received the visit of Prince Bernhard, Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the Netherlands. Three days later, together with the British 6th Airborne Division, they liberated the town of Pont-Audemer. Engaged in Operation Paddle, they reached the Seine on 30 August 1944. After the Normandy campaign, the Irene Brigade took part in the liberation of Northern France and Belgium, before returning to liberate the south part of their native land in September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden.

 Les troupes néerlandaises en Normandie Oddziały holenderskie w Normandii Nederlandse troepen in Normandië Niederländische Truppen in der Normandie Truppe olandesi in Normandia Dutch troops in Normandy

The German Naval Museum tells the history of the naval town of Wilhelmshaven, Germany from 1869 and including both World Wars. The WWII artefacts’ collection includes a Seehund, a two-man submarine, a barrel of the Kreuzer Köln, a ship bell, and other items. A cruise tour from the museum is also available.

German Naval Museum

 Niemieckie Muzeum Morskie opowiada historię niemieckiego nadmorskiego miasteczka Wolhelmshaven od 1869 roku, z uwzględnieniem obydwu wojen światowych. Eksponaty z okresu II wojny światowej obejmują dwuosobową łódź podwodną Seehund, korpus Kreuzer Köln, dzwon okrętowy i wiele innych przedmiotów. Dostępne są także wycieczki rejsowe odpływające z muzeum. Im Deutschen Marinemuseum wird die Geschichte der Marinestadt Wilhelmshaven ab 1869 erzählt, einschließlich der beiden Weltkriege. Zur Sammlung der Artefakte aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg gehören ein sogenannter „Seehund“, ein U-Boot für zwei Mann Besatzung, außerdem ein Geschützlauf des Leichten Kreuzers „Köln“, eine Schiffsglocke und andere Gegenstände. Auch eine Hafenrundfahrt vom Museum aus ist möglich. Het Duits Marinemuseum vertelt de geschiedenis van de marinestad Wilhelmshaven vanaf 1869, inclusief de gebeurtenissen in de beide wereldoorlogen. Uit de Tweede Wereldoorlog zijn hier onder andere een Seehund tweemansduikboot, de loop van een Köln kruiser en een scheepsbel te zien. Ook kunnen bezoekers een rondvaart maken vanaf het museum. Le musée de la Marine allemande raconte l’histoire de la ville allemande de Wilhelmshaven depuis 1869 jusqu’aux deux guerres mondiales. Sa collection d’objets de la Seconde Guerre mondiale comprend notamment un sous-marin de poche Seehund, un canon du croiseur Köln et une cloche de navire. Les visiteurs auront la possibilité de faire un tour en bateau, au départ du musée. The German Naval Museum tells the history of the naval town of Wilhelmshaven, Germany from 1869 and including both World Wars. The WWII artefacts’ collection includes a Seehund, a two-man submarine, a barrel of the Kreuzer Köln, a ship bell, and other items. A cruise tour from the museum is also available.

 Niemieckie Muzeum Morskie Deutsches Marinemuseum Duits Marinemuseum Musée de la Marine allemande German Naval Museum

The national necropolis of Luynes, located a few kilometres south of Aix-en-Provence, was built from 1966 to 1969. Buried here are 11,424 soldiers who fell in fighting during the First and the Second World War. Among the fallen, 3,077 died in the wake of the landing in Provence during WWII.

Necropole_luynes2.jpeg

National Necropolis of Luynes

 Położona o kilka kilometrów na południe od Aix-en-Provence Narodowa Nekropolia w Luynes powstała w latach 1966–1969. Pochowano tu 11 424 żołnierzy poległych w obydwu wojnach światowych. 3077 ofiar zginęło wskutek lądowania w Prowansji podczas II wojny światowej. Die Nécropole nationale de Luynes, wenige Kilometer südlich von Aix-en-Provence, wurde zwischen 1966 und 1969 errichtet. Sie ist die letzte Ruhestätte von 11.424 Soldaten, die bei Kämpfen im Ersten oder Zweiten Weltkrieg fielen. 3.077 von ihnen kamen während der Landung in der Provence im Zweiten Weltkrieg ums Leben. De Franse nationale begraafplaats van Luynes, een paar kilometer ten zuiden van Aix-en-Provence, is aangelegd tussen 1966 en 1969. Hier liggen 11.424 soldaten begraven die zijn gesneuveld in de Eerste en Tweede Wereldoorlog. 3.077 van hen kwamen in WOII om bij de gevechten na de landing in de Provence. La nécropole nationale de Luynes, située à quelques kilomètres au sud d’Aix-en-Provence, fut construite entre 1966 et 1969. Cette nécropole est la dernière demeure de 11 424 soldats tombés durant les deux guerres mondiales. Parmi ces combattants, 3 077 ont trouvé la mort lors du débarquement en Provence de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

 Narodowa Nekropolia w Luynes Soldatenfriedhof (Nekropole) von Luynes Nationale necropolis van Luynes Nécropole nationale de Luynes

The Remembrance Museum was established in Borgo a Mozzano to complete a project that included the creation of a Committee for the Recovery and Enhancement of the Gothic Line and the carrying out and enjoyment of itineraries along the Gothic Line itself. In 2021, the exhibition was renovated in the former Oblate Convent downtown. It is divided into two parts: in the first part, objects, equipment and war relics donated by private citizens are displayed, together with explanatory panels containing photographs and historical information; in the second part, an interactive space has been developed where films relating to the Gothic Line are displayed in a continuous loop.The concentration of Gothic works in the municipality makes this area absolutely exceptional in the history of the Second World War in Italy: a true unicum of military engineering. The bunkers, tunnels, anti-tank walls, firing positions cut from rock and well-preserved trenches that are easy to visit provide an original experience on the German defensive line commissioned by Albert Kesselring to halt the Allied advance towards northern Italy. These works have not deteriorated over time and still retain their original appearance today. Outdoor enthusiasts can not only reach the fortifications at street level, but also the high bunkers in the hills above the village, thanks to the paths through the green chestnut forests.Upon request, guided tours are organised to the fortifications, guarded by the Committee for the Recovery and Enhancement of the Gothic Line in cooperation with the Borgo a Mozzano town and the Pro Loco di Borgo a Mozzano, and to the main monuments in the area (Ponte del Diavolo, parish churches, convents, hermitages and fortifications of the Republic of Lucca). One of the most famous and evocative medieval bridges to be found in Europe is the Devil's Bridge in Borgo a Mozzano. Built by Countess Matilda of Canossa in the 11th century, and surviving the war, it offers a unique spectacle for the visitor due to its particular shape and the beauty of the valley in which it is located.

The headquarters of the Borgo a Mozzano Remembrance Museum

One of the fortifications on the Gothic Line in Borgo a Mozzano

The Magdalene Bridge, known as the Devil's Bridge, in Borgo a Mozzano

A room in the Borgo a Mozzano Remembrance Museum

Wall vector on the wall of the museum, Installed 14 October 2022

Borgo a Mozzano/Remembrance museum

Remembrance Museum

Il Museo della Memoria fu costituito a Borgo a Mozzano a completamento di un progetto che comprendeva la nascita di un Comitato per il Recupero e la Valorizzazione della Linea Gotica e la realizzazione e fruizione di itinerari lungo la stessa Gotica. Nel 2021 l’esposizione è stata rinnovata all’interno dell’ex convento delle Oblate, in centro storico. È suddivisa in due parti: nella prima sono esposti l’oggettistica, l’equipaggiamento e i reperti bellici donati da privati cittadini, insieme a pannelli esplicativi contenenti fotografie e informazioni storiche; nella seconda parte, invece, è stato sviluppato uno spazio interattivo dove vengono proiettati a ciclo continuo alcuni filmati relativi alla Linea Gotica.La concentrazione di opere della Gotica nel Comune rende assolutamente eccezionale quest’area nella storia della Seconda Guerra Mondiale in Italia: un vero e proprio unicum di ingegneria militare. I bunker, le gallerie, i muri anticarro, le piazzole di tiro scavate nella roccia e le trincee ben conservate e agevolmente visitabili, offrono un'esperienza originale sulla linea difensiva tedesca voluta da Albert Kesselring per arrestare l'avanzata degli Alleati verso il Nord Italia. Si tratta di opere che non hanno subito deterioramenti nel tempo e che mantengono ancora oggi intatto il loro aspetto originario. Per gli appassionati delle attività outdoor è possibile non solo raggiungere le fortificazioni a livello stradale, ma anche i bunker alti, sulle colline sopra il paese, grazie ai sentieri immersi nel verde dei boschi di castagno.Su richiesta vengono organizzate visite guidate alle fortificazioni, custodite dal Comitato per il Recupero e la Valorizzazione della Linea Gotica in collaborazione con il comune di Borgo a Mozzano e la Pro Loco di Borgo a Mozzano, e ai principali monumenti del territorio (Ponte del Diavolo, pievi, conventi, romitori e fortificazioni della Repubblica Lucchese). Uno dei più celebri e suggestivi ponti medievali che si possono incontrare in Europa è proprio il Ponte del Diavolo di Borgo a Mozzano. Fatto costruire dalla Contessa Matilde di Canossa nel XI secolo, e sopravvissuto alla guerra, offre per le sue forme particolari e per la bellezza della valle in cui si trova, uno spettacolo unico per il visitatore

 Museo della Memoria

The Battle of Arnhem in September 1944 is commemorated annually in the municipality of Renkum and surrounding areas. The fierce fighting at and around the bridge, as well as at key locations such as the former Hotel Hartenstein, Schoonoord, the Tafelberg, and of course, the Old Church in Oosterbeek, remains etched in the memories of many. The retreat across the Rhine to Driel also garners significant attention. Less known and often overlooked is the difficult and rapid withdrawal of soldiers from the perimeter in Oosterbeek to the Rhine. The challenging conditions under which this retreat took place are also frequently forgotten. In the dead of night from Monday, September 25 to Tuesday, September 26, 1944, over 2,300 soldiers had to retreat across the Rhine near Driel. This evacuation was codenamed Operation Berlin.White ribbons along the route, made from parachutes, marked the path to the river. These ribbons became a lifeline for the soldiers. Losing sight of the ribbon or losing contact with the soldier ahead of you could mean getting lost or worse. A ribbon became a lifeline for these ordinary young men, these soldiers. Exhausted from the battles, they had to make their way through forests and floodplains to reach the banks of the Rhine. They were out of ammunition, hungry, and severely sleep-deprived. In the pitch-dark night, under pouring rain and relentless artillery fire, they had to find their way. They had lost an illusion as the Battle of Arnhem and the occupation of the bridge had failed. It was also heartbreaking to leave behind a devastated village and their wounded comrades. Almost all the remaining soldiers, predominantly British, gathered near the Old Church by the Rhine to attempt the crossing.The audio tour tells the story of one of them, though sadly, many did not survive this journey. In 2003, a small monument was erected at the location where the men boarded the small boats, manned by engineers. This monument is only accessible during the month of September (Airborne Month), but the route from Park Hartenstein through the woods to the Old Church is permanently open.This retreat and the site hold great significance. In fact, this location marks the end of Operation Market Garden. It is not only a memorial for the many young soldiers who had to flee in September 1944 but also for those who lost their lives or were taken prisoner here.Link to the page for the audio tour: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour">www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour</a>

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White Ribbon Mile

The Battle of Arnhem in September 1944 is commemorated annually in the municipality of Renkum and surrounding areas. The fierce fighting at and around the bridge, as well as at key locations such as the former Hotel Hartenstein, Schoonoord, the Tafelberg, and of course, the Old Church in Oosterbeek, remains etched in the memories of many. The retreat across the Rhine to Driel also garners significant attention. Less known and often overlooked is the difficult and rapid withdrawal of soldiers from the perimeter in Oosterbeek to the Rhine. The challenging conditions under which this retreat took place are also frequently forgotten. In the dead of night from Monday, September 25 to Tuesday, September 26, 1944, over 2,300 soldiers had to retreat across the Rhine near Driel. This evacuation was codenamed Operation Berlin.White ribbons along the route, made from parachutes, marked the path to the river. These ribbons became a lifeline for the soldiers. Losing sight of the ribbon or losing contact with the soldier ahead of you could mean getting lost or worse. A ribbon became a lifeline for these ordinary young men, these soldiers. Exhausted from the battles, they had to make their way through forests and floodplains to reach the banks of the Rhine. They were out of ammunition, hungry, and severely sleep-deprived. In the pitch-dark night, under pouring rain and relentless artillery fire, they had to find their way. They had lost an illusion as the Battle of Arnhem and the occupation of the bridge had failed. It was also heartbreaking to leave behind a devastated village and their wounded comrades. Almost all the remaining soldiers, predominantly British, gathered near the Old Church by the Rhine to attempt the crossing.The audio tour tells the story of one of them, though sadly, many did not survive this journey. In 2003, a small monument was erected at the location where the men boarded the small boats, manned by engineers. This monument is only accessible during the month of September (Airborne Month), but the route from Park Hartenstein through the woods to the Old Church is permanently open.This retreat and the site hold great significance. In fact, this location marks the end of Operation Market Garden. It is not only a memorial for the many young soldiers who had to flee in September 1944 but also for those who lost their lives or were taken prisoner here.Link to the page for the audio tour: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour">www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour</a> Die Schlacht um Arnheim im September 1944 wird jährlich in der Gemeinde Renkum und den umliegenden Gemeinden erinnert und gewürdigt. Die Kämpfe an und um die Brücke sowie an wichtigen Orten wie dem ehemaligen Hotel Hartenstein, Schoonoord, dem Tafelberg und natürlich der Alten Kirche in Oosterbeek sind vielen in Erinnerung geblieben. Auch der Rückzug über den Rhein nach Driel findet großes InteresseWeniger bekannt und weniger beachtet ist der schwere und schnelle Rückzug der Soldaten aus dem Perimeter in Oosterbeek zum Rhein. Die schwierigen Bedingungen, unter denen dieser Rückzug stattfand, sind ebenfalls oft vergessen. In der Nacht von Montag, dem 25. auf Dienstag, den 26. September 1944 mussten über 2.300 Soldaten auf die andere Seite des Rheins bei Driel zurückweichen. Diese Evakuierung erhielt den Codenamen Operation Berlin.Weiße Bänder entlang der Route, hergestellt aus Fallschirmen, markierten den Weg zum Fluss. Diese Bänder wurden zu einer Lebensader für die Soldaten. Wer das Band verlor oder den Kontakt zu seinem Vordermann abbrach, riskierte, sich zu verirren oder Schlimmeres. Ein Band als Lebensader für diese gewöhnlichen jungen Männer, diese Soldaten. Erschöpft von den Kämpfen mussten sie ihren Weg durch Wälder und Überschwemmungsgebiete zum Ufer des Rheins finden. Sie hatten keine Munition mehr, litten an Hunger und Schlafmangel. In der stockdunklen Nacht, bei strömendem Regen und unter mörderischem Artilleriebeschuss, mussten sie ihren Weg finden.Sie verloren eine Illusion, da die Schlacht um Arnheim und die Einnahme der Brücke gescheitert waren. Schwer wog auch, dass sie ein zerstörtes Dorf und ihre verwundeten Kameraden zurücklassen mussten. Fast alle verbliebenen Soldaten, hauptsächlich Briten, zogen zur Alten Kirche in der Nähe des Rheins, um die Überquerung zu versuchen.Die Audiotour erzählt die Geschichte eines dieser Soldaten, doch leider überlebten viele diesen Marsch nicht. An der Stelle, an der die Männer an Bord der kleinen, von Pionieren bemannten Boote gingen, wurde 2003 ein kleines Denkmal errichtet. Dieses Denkmal ist nur im September (Airborne-Monat) zugänglich, aber der Weg vom Park Hartenstein durch die Wälder zur Alten Kirche ist dauerhaft geöffnet.Dieser Rückzug und der Ort haben große historische Bedeutung. Tatsächlich markiert dieser Ort das Ende von Operation Market Garden. Er ist nicht nur eine Gedenkstätte für die vielen jungen Soldaten, die im September 1944 fliehen mussten, sondern auch für diejenigen, die hier ihr Leben verloren oder in Gefangenschaft gerieten.Link zur Seite für die Audiotour: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour">www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour</a> De slag om Arnhem van september 1944 wordt in de gemeente Renkum en omliggende gemeenten jaarlijks herdacht en herinnerd. De gevechten op en rond de brug, de gevechten rond belangrijke gebouwen als het voormalige hotel Hartenstein, Schoonoord, de Tafelberg en natuurlijk de Oude Kerk in Oosterbeek staan bij velen in het geheugen gegrift. Ook het terugtrekken over de Rijn naar Driel mag rekenen op veel belangstelling. Minder bekend en minder in de belangstelling staat de zware en snelle terugtrekking van de soldaten uit&nbsp;de perimeter in Oosterbeek&nbsp;naar de Rijn. En onder welke omstandigheden dit gebeurde. In het holst van de nacht van maandag 25 op dinsdag 26 september 1944 moesten ruim 2300 militairen zich terugtrekken naar de overzijde van de Rijn bij Driel. Deze evacuatie kreeg als codenaam Operatie Berlin.Witte linten langs de route, afkomstig van parachutes, gaven de weg aan om bij de rivier te komen. Die linten werden daardoor een levenslijn voor de soldaten. Verloor je het lint of raakte je je voorganger kwijt, dan kon dat betekenen dat je verdwaalde of erger.&nbsp;Een lint als levenslijn voor gewone jonge mannen, militairen. Dwars door de bossen en de uiterwaarden moesten zij, uitgeput door de gevechten, hun weg banen naar de oever van de Rijn. Ze zaten zonder munitie, ze hadden honger en een tekort aan slaap. Het was een pikdonkere nacht en in de stromende regen en onder moordend artillerievuur moesten zij hun weg vinden. Ze verloren een illusie omdat de Slag om Arnhem en het bezetten van de brug niet gelukt was. Ook viel het zwaar dat ze een dorp verlieten dat zwaar beschadigd was en dat ze ook hun gewonde vrienden moesten achterlaten. Bijna alle overgebleven, voornamelijk Britse, militairen zijn naar de Rijn in de buurt van de Oude Kerk getrokken om de oversteek te maken. De audiotour vertelt het verhaal van één van hen, maar helaas hebben ook velen deze tocht niet overleefd. Op de plek waar de mannen aan boord van de kleine door genietroepen bemande boten gingen, is in 2003&nbsp;een klein monument opgericht. Dit monument is alleen bereikbaar tijdens de maand september (Airbornemaand), maar de route van Park Hartenstein door de bossen naar de Oude Kerk is permanent geopend. &nbsp;De terugtrekking en deze historische plek zijn van grote betekenis. Feitelijk markeert deze plek het einde van Operatie Market Garden. Het is niet alleen een gedenkplaats voor de vele jonge soldaten die in september 1944 moesten vluchten. Ook markeert het de plaats waar nog velen het leven lieten of krijgsgevangen gemaakt werden.Link naar de pagina voor de audiotour: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour">www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour</a>

 White Ribbon Mile White Ribbon Mile White Ribbon Mile

​​​Once given to the USAAF, the airfield was designated Station 139. The 100th Bombardment Group consisted of four operational squadrons:​349th Bombardment Squadron350th Bombardment Squadron​351st Bombardment Squadron​418th Bombardment Squadron​&nbsp;They were assigned to the 13th Combat Bombardment Wing of the USAAF.The 100th Bombardment Group conducted its first mission on 25 June 1943. The mission targeted U-Boat facilities around Bremen, Germany. Three aircraft and 30 crew were lost in this mission. As the months went by and the group carried out more and more missions, their losses of aircraft and crew began to add up. They therefore soon became known as the ‘Bloody Hundredth’.The 100th took part in many operations, some notable ones were: Regensburg on 17 August 1943 with nine aircraft lost and 90 crew, Munster on 10 October 1943 with 12 aircraft lost and 121 crew, Berlin on 6 March 1944 with 15 aircraft lost and 150 crew, and Berlin again on 24 May 1944 with nine aircraft lost and 90 crew, Merseberf on 29 July 1944 with eight aircraft lost and 72 crew, Ruhland on 11 September 1944 with 12 aircraft lost and 100 crew, and Hamburg on 31 December 1944 with 12 aircraft lost and 111 crew.​Alongside these operations, many others took place with little to no losses. However, the crew were mindful of what could happen on every operation. Between 25 June 1943 to 20 April 1945, flying out of Station 139, the 100th conducted 8,630 missions with the staggering loss of 732 airmen killed or missing and 177 aircraft lost.​100th Bomb Group Major, John Bennett, stated that, “what the 100th lacks in luck, it makes up in courage. The men of the century have fighting hearts.”The B-17 aircraft of the 100th Bombardment Group were marked with the distinctive black and white ‘Square-D’. This can be seen on the tail and wings of most aircraft. Following the Regensbury operation on 17 August 1943, the 100th Bomb Group received its first Distinguished Unit Citation. It then received its second following ‘Big Week’ from 20 to 25 February 1944 and the series of operations against Berlin in March 1944.

351st Bombardment Squadron, ​"PICCADILLY LILY" with Thomas Murphy's flight and ground crew​

100th Bombardment Group Crews​

​A B-17 of the 100th BG under attack, note enemy aircraft on pursuit at 6 o'clock.​

 Under Attack​

​The 100th in moderate flak. Thought to be the 8 October 43 Bremen mission.​

​350th Bombardment Squadron Raid.

Aerial photographs of the works that were targeted by the 100th Bombardment Group on one of the most notable raids they took part in.​

Schweinfurt Works​

​​The ‘Bloody Hundredth’, 100th Bombardment Group​

​​​Once handed to the USAAF, the airfield was designated Station 139. The 100th Bombardment Group consisted of four operational squadrons:​349th Bombardment Squadron​350th Bombardment Squadron​351st Bombardment Squadron​418th Bombardment Squadron​&nbsp;They were assigned to the 13th Combat Bombardment Wing of the USAAF.The 100th Bombardment Group conducted its first mission on 25 June 1943. The mission targeted U-Boat facilities around the area of Bremen, Germany, and saw a loss of three aircraft and 30 crew. As the months went by and the group gained experience, their losses began to add up and they soon became known as the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ due to the losses of aircraft and crew.Notable operations that the 100th took part in were: Regensburg on 17 August 1943 with nine aircraft lost and 90 crew, Munster on 10 October 1943 with 12 aircraft lost and 121 crew, Berlin on 6 March 1944 with 15 aircraft lost and 150 crew, and Berlin again on 24 May 1944 with nine aircraft lost and 90 crew, Merseberf on 29 July 1944 with eight aircraft lost and 72 crew, Ruhland on 11 September 1944 with 12 aircraft lost and 100 crew, and Hamburg on 31 December 1944 with 12 aircraft lost and 111 crew.​In between these operations many others were conducted with little to no losses, but the crew were mindful of what could happen on every operation. Between 25 June 1943 to 20 April 1945, flying out of Station 139, they conducted 8,630 missions with the staggering loss of 732 airmen killed or missing and 177 aircraft lost.​100th Bomb Group Major, John Bennett, stated that, “what the 100th lacks in luck, it makes up in courage. The men of the century have fighting hearts.”The B-17 aircraft of the 100th Bombardment Group were marked with the distinctive black and white ‘Square-D’. This can be seen on the tail and wings of most aircraft. Following the Regensbury operation on 17 August 1943, the 100th Bomb Group received its first Distinguished Unit Citation. It then received its second following ‘Big Week’ from 20 to 25 February 1944 and the series of operations against Berlin in March 1944. Une fois remis à l'USAAF, l'aérodrome a été désigné sous le nom de Station 139. Le 100e groupe de bombardement était composé de quatre escadrons opérationnels : 349e escadron de bombardement, 350e escadron de bombardement, 351e escadron de bombardement et 418e escadron de bombardementIls étaient affectés à la 13e escadre de bombardement de combat de l'USAAF.Le 100e groupe de bombardement effectue sa première mission le 25 juin 1943. La mission visait des installations de sous-marins dans la région de Brême, en Allemagne, et s'est soldée par la perte de trois avions et de 30 membres d'équipage. Au fil des mois, le groupe acquiert de l'expérience mais les pertes s'accumulent. Il est bientôt surnommé le "Bloody Hundredth" (centième sanglant) en raison des pertes d'avions et d'équipages qu'il subit.Les opérations notables auxquelles le 100e a participé sont les suivantes : Regensburg le 17 août 1943 avec 9 avions perdus et 90 membres d'équipage, Munster le 10 octobre 1943 avec 12 avions perdus et 121 membres d'équipage, Berlin le 6 mars 1944 avec 15 avions perdus et 150 membres d'équipage, et Berlin à nouveau le 24 mai 1944 avec 9 avions perdus et 90 membres d'équipage, Merseberf le 29 juillet 1944 avec 8 avions perdus et 72 membres d'équipage, Ruhland le 11 septembre 1944 avec 12 avions perdus et 100 membres d'équipage, et Hambourg le 31 décembre 1944 avec 12 avions perdus et 111 membres d'équipage.Entre ces opérations, beaucoup d'autres ont été menées avec peu ou pas de pertes, mais l'équipage était conscient de ce qui pouvait arriver lors de chaque opération. Entre le 25 juin 1943 et le 20 avril 1945, les membres du 100th Bomb Group ont effectué 8 630 missions à partir de la station 139, avec un bilan stupéfiant de 732 aviateurs tués ou disparus et 177 avions perdus.Le major du 100egroupe de bombardement, John Bennett, a déclaré que "ce qui manque au 100e en termes de chance, il le compense en termes de courage. Les hommes du siècle ont un cœur de combattant".Les B-17 du 100e groupe de bombardement étaient marqués du "Square-D" noir et blanc distinctif. On peut le voir sur la queue et les ailes de la plupart des appareils. À la suite de l'opération de Regensbury, le 17 août 1943, le 100e groupe de bombardement a reçu sa première citation à l'ordre de l'unité (Distinguished Unit Citation). Il en reçoit une deuxième à la suite de la "Big Week" du 20 au 25 février 1944 et de la série d'opérations contre Berlin en mars 1944.

 Le "Bloody Hundredth", 100e groupe de bombardement ​​The ‘Bloody Hundredth’, 100th Bombardment Group​

​​​LeMay was born on 15 November 1906 in Columbus, Ohio. In 1929, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Corps Reserve, and in January 1930 he received a regular commission into the United States Army Air Corps. He trained as a pursuit pilot until 1937, then switched to bomber aircraft.From 1938, ​LeMay piloted B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft and served in the 2nd Bombardment Group. In 1940, he became the Operations Officer of the 34th Bombardment Group. Following the outbreak of war in Europe, the USA soon entered the war. Following the attacks on Pearl Harbour by Imperial Japan in December 1941, LeMay became a Major in the United States Army Air Force (USAAF). He commanded the 305th Bombardment Group, which departed for England in October 1943, and then became the commander of the US 3rd Air Division.​He flew alongside those of the 100th Bombardment Group leading operations into northwest Europe. One of the more notable operations that he led personally was the Schweinfurt-Regensburg raid on 17 August 1943. On this mission, LeMay led 146 B-17’s to Regensburg. This was a daring mission, beyond the range of fighter protection, and after reaching and bombing the target they flew on to airfields in North Africa. During this operation, 24 of the B-17’s were lost, including hundreds of crew who were either killed or missing.​In August 1944, LeMay transferred to the China-Burma Theatre of War then onto the Pacific Theatre of War with XX Bomb Command and XXI Bomb Command respectively. In 1947, after the war, he returned to Europe as the Commander of USAF Europe and oversaw the ‘Berlin Airlift’. Between 1961 and 1965, he became Chief of Staff of the USAF, until his retirement in February 1965.​Throughout his career he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. LeMay died on 1 October 1990 and is buried at USAF Academy Cemetery, Colorado, USA. The memorial located here at the airfield remembers him.​

​LeMay is captured on the right of the photograph in 1943. He is congratulating the crew of a B-17 aircraft from 305th Bomb Group who had shot down 11 German fighters on a raid to Berlin. The crew were shot down and crashed into the Channel before all being rescued.​

​Curtis LeMay​

Curtis LeMay​

​Located close to the control tower at the 100th BG Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbots. This is within the ground of the Memorial Museum which should not be entered when closed to the public.​

​Curtis LeMay Memorial

​​Curtis LeMay​

​​​LeMay was born 15 November 1906 in Columbus, Ohio. In 1929, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Corps Reserve, and in January 1930 he received a regular commission into the United States Army Air Corps. He trained as a pursuit pilot until 1937, then switched to bomber aircraft.​LeMay piloted B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft from 1938 and served in the 2nd Bombardment Group. In 1940, he became the operations officer of the 34th Bombardment Group. With the outbreak of war in Europe, it was not long before the USA entered the war. Following the attacks on Pearl Harbour by Imperial Japan in December 1941, LeMay became a Major in the United States Army Air Force (USAAF). He commanded the 305th Bombardment Group, which departed for England in October 1943, and then became the commander of the US 3rd Air Division.​He flew alongside those of the 100th Bombardment Group leading operations into northwest Europe. One of the more notable operations that he led personally was the Schweinfurt-Regensburg raid on 17 August 1943. The raid saw LeMay lead 146 B-17’s to Regensburg. This was a daring mission, beyond the range of fighter protection, and after reaching and bombing the target, they flew on to airfields in North Africa. During this operation, 24 of the B-17’s were lost, including hundreds of crew who were either killed or missing.​In August 1944, LeMay transferred to the China-Burma Theatre of War then onto the Pacific Theatre of War with XX Bomb Command and XXI Bomb Command respectively. After the war, in 1947 he returned to Europe as the Commander of USAF Europe and oversaw the ‘Berlin Airlift’. Between 1961 and 1965, he became Chief of Staff of the USAF, until his retirement in February 1965.​Throughout his career he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. LeMay died on 1 October 1990 and is buried at USAF Academy Cemetery, Colorado, USA. The memorial located here at the airfield remembers him.​ Curtis Le May est né le 15 novembre 1906 à Columbus, dans l'Ohio. En 1929, il est nommé sous-lieutenant dans l'Air Corps Reserve et, en janvier 1930, il reçoit une commission régulière dans l'United States Army Air Corps. Il s'entraîne comme pilote de chasse jusqu'en 1937, puis passe aux bombardiers.Le May pilote des B-17 Flying Fortress à partir de 1938 et sert dans le 2e groupe de bombardement. En 1940, il devient l'officier des opérations du 34e groupe de bombardement. Avec le déclenchement de la guerre en Europe, les États-Unis ne tardent pas à entrer en guerre. Après les attaques de Pearl Harbour par le Japon impérial en décembre 1941, LeMay devient major de l'armée de l'air américaine (USAAF). Il commande le 305e groupe de bombardement, qui part pour l'Angleterre en octobre 1943, puis devient le commandant de la 3e division aérienne américaine.Il a volé aux côtés des membres du 100e groupe de bombardement, menant des opérations dans le nord-ouest de l'Europe. L'une des opérations les plus marquantes qu'il dirige personnellement est le raid Schweinfurt-Regensburg du 17 août 1943. Lors de ce raid, LeMay dirige 146 B-17 vers Ratisbonne. Il s'agissait d'une mission audacieuse, hors de portée de la protection des chasseurs, et après avoir atteint et bombardé la cible, ils se sont envolés vers des aérodromes d'Afrique du Nord. Au cours de cette opération, 24 B-17 ont été perdus, y compris des centaines de membres d'équipage qui ont été tués ou portés disparus.En août 1944, LeMay est transféré sur le théâtre de guerre Chine-Birmanie, puis sur le théâtre de guerre du Pacifique, respectivement au sein du XX Bomb Command et du XXI Bomb Command. Après la guerre, en 1947, il retourne en Europe en tant que commandant de l'USAF Europe et supervise le "pont aérien de Berlin". Entre 1961 et 1965, il devient chef d'état-major de l'USAF, jusqu'à sa retraite en février 1965.Tout au long de sa carrière, il a reçu la Distinguished Service Cross, la Distinguished Service Medal avec deux grappes de feuilles de chêne, la Silver Star, la Distinguished Flying Cross avec deux grappes de feuilles de chêne et l'Air Medal avec trois grappes de feuilles de chêne. LeMay est décédé le 1er octobre 1990 et est enterré au cimetière de l'Académie de l'USAF, dans le Colorado, aux États-Unis. Le mémorial situé sur l'aérodrome se souvient de lui.

 Curtis LeMay ​​Curtis LeMay​

With plans for Operation Overlord already in motion in 1943, it was decid-ed that the advance command post of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force would be at Southwick House, Hampshire. Here, the main Allied commanders would be close to both the ports from which the invasion would leave, and the troops which would lead the attack. Sir Bertram Ramsay, commander of the Allied naval effort, who already had his headquarters in the house, was joined in the months before D-Day by Allied Supreme Commander General Eisenhower and the Army Com-mander-in-Chief General Montgomery. The whole of the village was taken over by the Allied command, with Nissan huts erected to house the men and with the officer’s mess in the Golden Lion, a local pub. With inclement weather on the planned launch day, 5 June 1944, it was in the library of Southwick House that Eisenhower took the decision to postpone the invasion for 24 hours. Once a window of clear weather was identified, the order was given to commence Operation Overlord. After the invasion was launched, the operation was orchestrated from Southwick House, until early September 1944, when headquarters were moved to France. Inside the house a large plywood map was erected to plot the progress of Operation Neptune, the naval element of the invasion of occupied France. A small ladder was used by the Women’s Royal Navy Service stationed at the house to mark the positions of the naval forces each hour, and it was from this that commander Ramsay directed the operation. This map is still viewable at the house.   To visit Southwick House, please contact the Defence School of Policing and Guarding at DSPG-HQ-Information@mod.uk (visits can only be arranged by email). <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NqZywK9Vw74?showinfo=0"></iframe>

During the Second World War much of the Allied planning for operations was conducted in London. The plans for Operation Overlord (D-Day) were finalised at Southwick House in Hampshire. This became the headquarters of the main Allied commanders, led by General Eisenhower. The whole of the village was taken over by the Allied command.

With plans for Operation Overlord already in motion in 1943, it was decid-ed that the advance command post of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force would be at Southwick House, Hampshire. Here, the main Allied commanders would be close to both the ports from which the invasion would leave, and the troops which would lead the attack. Sir Bertram Ramsay, commander of the Allied naval effort, who already had his headquarters in the house, was joined in the months before D-Day by Allied Supreme Commander General Eisenhower and the Army Com-mander-in-Chief General Montgomery. The whole of the village was taken over by the Allied command, with Nissan huts erected to house the men and with the officer’s mess in the Golden Lion, a local pub.

With inclement weather on the planned launch day, 5 June 1944, it was in the library of Southwick House that Eisenhower took the decision to postpone the invasion for 24 hours. Once a window of clear weather was identified, the order was given to commence Operation Overlord. After the invasion was launched, the operation was orchestrated from Southwick House, until early September 1944, when headquarters were moved to France. Inside the house a large plywood map was erected to plot the progress of Operation Neptune, the naval element of the invasion of occupied France. A small ladder was used by the Women’s Royal Navy Service stationed at the house to mark the positions of the naval forces each hour, and it was from this that commander Ramsay directed the operation. This map is still viewable at the house.

&nbsp;

To visit Southwick House, please contact the Defence School of Policing and Guarding at DSPG-HQ-Information@mod.uk (visits can only be arranged by email).

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqZywK9Vw74[/embed]

Creative Commons

Southwick House, Allied Naval Headquarters

En 1943, alors que les préparatifs de l’opération Overlord ont déjà com-mencé, il est décidé que le poste de commandement avancé du quartier général suprême des forces expéditionnaires alliées sera installé à la Southwick House, dans le Hampshire. Cela permettra aux principaux commandants alliés d’être proches à la fois des ports d’embarquement avant le départ pour la Normandie et des troupes de tête. Le commandant de l’effort naval allié, Sir Bertram Ramsay, dont le quartier général se trouve déjà à cet endroit, sera rejoint par le général Eisenhower, Commandant suprême des forces alliées, et le général Montgomery, Commandant en chef des forces armées, quelques mois avant le Jour J. La totalité du village est alors réquisitionnée par le Commandement allié. Des baraques Nissen sont construites pour loger les hommes et le Golden Lion, un pub local, sert de Mess des officiers. Et c'est depuis la bibliothèque de la Southwick House que, le 5 juin 1944, le général Eisenhower prendra la décision de reporter le Débarquement de 24 heures à cause du mauvais temps. L’opération Overlord sera lancée dès que les prévisions météorologiques annonceront une accalmie. Les opérations seront ensuite orchestrées depuis la Southwick House jusqu’en septembre 1944 et le transfert du quartier général en France. À l’intérieur du bâtiment, une grande carte en contreplaqué permettait de suivre l’évolution de l’opération Neptune, la phase navale du Débarquement en Normandie. Une petite échelle était utilisée par les membres de la Women’s Royal Navy stationnées dans le bâtiment pour marquer les positions des forces navales heure par heure. C’est grâce à cette carte que le commandant Ramsay put diriger l’opération. Cette carte est toujours visible dans la maison. Während des Zweiten Weltkriegs fanden die Operationsplanungen der Alliierten größtenteils in London statt. Dagegen wurden die Pläne für Operation Overlord (»D-Day«) in Southwick House in Hampshire ausgearbeitet. Dort wurde das Hauptquartier der wichtigsten alliierten Befehlshaber unter Führung von General Eisenhower eingerichtet. Das Oberkommando der Alliierten übernahm das gesamte Dorf. Pracując nad planami Operacji Overlord już w 1943r. postanowiono, że wysunięte stanowisko dowodzenia Naczelnego Dowództwa Alianckich Sił Ekspedycyjnych będzie się mieścić w Southwick House w Hampshire. Dzięki tej lokalizacji główni dowódcy alianccy znajdowali się w pobliżu obu portów, z których miała rozpocząć się inwazja, jak i oddziałów, które miały poprowadzić atak. Do Sir Bertram’a Ramsay’a, dowódcy alianckich sił morskich, który już stacjonował w Southwick House, w miesiącach poprzedzających D-Day dołączył Naczelny Dowódca Sił Alianckich, Generał Eisenhower oraz Dowódca Naczelny sił lądowych, Generał Montgomery. Cała wioska została zajęta przez dowództwo alianckie. Dla żołnierzy postawiono metalowe baraki, a kantyna oficerska mieściła się w lokalnym pubie Golden Lion. To w bibliotece Southwick House Eisenhower podjął decyzję o opóźnieniu inwazji o 24 godziny w związku z niekorzystnymi warunkami pogodowymi, jakie panowały w pierwotnie planowanym dniu rozpoczęcia inwazji, tj. 5 czerwca 1944r. Gdy tylko się przejaśniło, rozkaz do rozpoczęcia Operacji Overlord został wydany. Po rozpoczęciu inwazji operacją kierowano z Southwick House aż do początku września 1944r., kiedy to kwaterę główną przeniesiono do Francji. W budynku postawiono dużą mapę ze sklejki, na której nanoszono postępy Operacji Neptune, morskiego elementu inwazji na okupowaną Francję. Przy pomocy małej drabinki kobiety z pomocniczej formacji Women’s Royal Navy Service, stacjonującej w budynku zaznaczały co godzinę pozycje sił morskich. Stąd admirał Ramsey kierował operacją. Mapę można obejrzeć w budynku do dziś. Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog coördineerde men de militaire operaties van de geallieerden veelal vanuit Londen. Operatie Overlord werd echter voorbereid in het Southwick House in Hampshire. Dat werd het hoofdkwartier van de belangrijkste geallieerde bevelhebbers, onder leiding van generaal Eisenhower. Ook de rest van het dorp werd in gebruik genomen door de geallieerden. De voorbereidingen van Operatie Overlord waren nog in volle gang, toen in 1943 het Southwick House in Hampshire alvast werd ingericht als com-mandopost van het geallieerde opperbevel van het expeditieleger. Hier was het opperbevel dicht bij de twee havens van waaruit de troepen zouden vertrekken. Het Southwick House was al het hoofdkwartier van Sir Bertram Ramsey, commandant van de geallieerde marine. In de maanden voor de invasie vestigden ook generaal Eisenhower en generaal Montgomery hun commandopost in het Southwick House. Het hele dorp werd overgenomen door de geallieerde bevelhebbers. Er werden golfplaten barakken (Nissen-hutten) gebouwd voor de manschappen en de Golden Lion , het dorpscafé, werd ingericht als officiersmess. Op 5 juni 1944, de dag waarop de invasie van start zou gaan, waaide er een stormachtige wind. In de bibliotheek van het Southwick House besloot generaal Eisenhower om de hele operatie 24 uur uit te stellen. Maar direct nadat de storm was gaan liggen, werd het startsignaal voor Operatie Overlord gegeven. Vanaf het begin werd de invasie geleid vanuit het Southwick House, pas begin september 1944 werd het hoofdkwartier overgeplaatst naar Frank-rijk. In het Southwick House was een grote landkaart van triplex opgehangen waarop de troepenbewegingen van Operatie Neptune, het marine-onderdeel van de invasie, precies werden bijgehouden. De Women’s Royal Navy Service, de vrouwelijke marineafdeling in het Southwick House, moest een trapje gebruiken om de posities van de schepen elk uur op de kaart te markeren. Op basis van die gegevens regisseerde bevelhebber Ramsay de gehele operatie. De landkaart is nog altijd te zien in het Southwick House. Con piani per l’operazione Overlord già in funzione nel 1943, fu deciso che l’avamposto del Quartier generale Supremo delle Forze di Spedizione Alleate sarebbe stato presso Southwick House, nello Hampshire. Qui, i principali comandanti alleati sarebbero stati vicini ad entrambi i porti da cui sarebbe partita l’invasione e alle truppe che avrebbero guidato l’attacco. Sir Bertram Ramsey, Comandante della marina alleata, che aveva già il quartier generale in questa villa, fu raggiunto nei mesi precedenti allo sbarco dal Comandante supremo alleato Generale Eisenhower e dal Comandante in capo Generale Montgomery. L’intero paese era stato occupato dal comando alleato, con capanni Nissen erette per ospitare gli uomini e con la mensa degli ufficiali nel pub Golden Lion. Per il meteo inclemente nel giorno pianificato per lo sbarco, il 5 giugno 1944, fu nella biblioteca di Southwick House che Eisenhower decise di rinviare l’invasione di 24 ore. Quando fu identificata una finestra di tempo sereno, venne dato l’ordine di iniziare l’operazione Overlord. Dopo il lancio dell’invasione, l’operazione fu diretta da Southwick House fino all’inizio di settembre 1944, quando il quartier generale fu spostato in Francia. All’interno della villa venne eretta una grande mappa in compensato per pianificare il progresso dell’operazione Neptune, l’elemento navale dell’invasione della Francia occupata. Una piccola scala veniva usata dal Servizio femminile della Marina reale per segnare le posizioni delle forze navali di ora in ora, e fu da qui che il comandante Ramsay diresse l’operazione. La mappa è ancora visibile nella villa. Per visitare Southwick House, contattare la the Defence School of Policing and Guarding a DSPG-HQ-Information@mod.uk (visite prenotabili solo via email). With plans for Operation Overlord already in motion in 1943, it was decid-ed that the advance command post of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force would be at Southwick House, Hampshire. Here, the main Allied commanders would be close to both the ports from which the invasion would leave, and the troops which would lead the attack. Sir Bertram Ramsay, commander of the Allied naval effort, who already had his headquarters in the house, was joined in the months before D-Day by Allied Supreme Commander General Eisenhower and the Army Com-mander-in-Chief General Montgomery. The whole of the village was taken over by the Allied command, with Nissan huts erected to house the men and with the officer’s mess in the Golden Lion, a local pub. With inclement weather on the planned launch day, 5 June 1944, it was in the library of Southwick House that Eisenhower took the decision to postpone the invasion for 24 hours. Once a window of clear weather was identified, the order was given to commence Operation Overlord. After the invasion was launched, the operation was orchestrated from Southwick House, until early September 1944, when headquarters were moved to France. Inside the house a large plywood map was erected to plot the progress of Operation Neptune, the naval element of the invasion of occupied France. A small ladder was used by the Women’s Royal Navy Service stationed at the house to mark the positions of the naval forces each hour, and it was from this that commander Ramsay directed the operation. This map is still viewable at the house.   To visit Southwick House, please contact the Defence School of Policing and Guarding at DSPG-HQ-Information@mod.uk (visits can only be arranged by email). <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NqZywK9Vw74?showinfo=0"></iframe>

 La Southwick House, quartier général des forces navales alliées Southwick House, Hauptquartier der alliierten Seestreitkräfte Southwick House, Kwatera główna alianckich sił morskich Southwick House, het geallieerde hoofdkwartier van de marine Southwick House, Quartier Generale Alleato Southwick House, Allied Naval Headquarters

Buriton, just south of Petersfield in Hampshire, was well-situated to accommodate troops in the lead up to D-Day. A vast number of Canadian troops were based there. The route through the village to Portsmouth was far less conspicuous than the main roads, and consequently convoys of military and tanks lined the lanes. Tanks parked up in several fields, including those along the driveway to Buriton House, a large manor on the edge of Buriton. The troops were encamped along the roads and local buildings were commandeered, such as the school which housed British troops, conveniently located opposite the pub. Residents were given little choice as to the use of their pubs and schools, and the whole operation demanded the utmost secrecy. As with many of the local experiences of troop camps, relations were mostly friendly and children enjoyed receiving fruits and sweets from the American rations. The pub was then taken over by American troops and the garage turned into a canteen, leaving the landlady and her family with limited space. As with other troop encampments, residents reported that the village was filled with troops and vehicles and when they awoke the next day, it had all disappeared. &nbsp;In Buriton High Street, a war memorial commemorates the eight local men who lost their lives during the Second World War. Of particular note, Buriton resident Fred Kempster performed an integral role in the events leading up to D-Day, being parachuted into France before the landings began to capture key bridges and prevent German troops attacking the landing beaches. The Caen canal bridge, or Pegasus Bridge, was secured after ten minutes of intense fighting, and several of the surrounding villages were liberated. He was killed just ten weeks later.&nbsp;

This grade II listed memorial commemorates those lost in both world wars and is situated outside St Mary’s Church.

Buriton War Memorial

A view of army vehicles lining a country road in Nottinghamshire, akin to the assembly of vehicles in Buriton in the preparations for D-Day.

Vehicles at an ordnance depot, Nottinghamshire, 1944

Buriton and D-Day preparations

Buriton, situé au sud de Petersfield dans le Hampshire, était bien placé pour accueillir les troupes en vue du jour J. Un grand nombre de troupes canadiennes y étaient basées. La route traversant le village vers Portsmouth était beaucoup moins visible que les routes principales, et les convois de militaires et de chars d'assaut bordaient donc les voies. Les chars étaient garés dans plusieurs champs, notamment le long de l'allée de Buriton House, un grand manoir situé à la périphérie de Buriton. Les troupes campaient le long des routes et les bâtiments locaux étaient réquisitionnés, comme l’école qui hébergeait les troupes britanniques, idéalement située en face du pub. Les habitants n’avaient guère le choix quant à l’utilisation de leurs pubs et de leurs écoles, et l’ensemble de l'opération exigeait le plus grand secret. Comme pour beaucoup d’expériences locales de camps de troupes, les relations étaient généralement amicales et les enfants appréciaient les fruits et les sucreries provenant des rations américaines. Le pub a ensuite été investi par les troupes américaines et le garage transformé en cantine, laissant la propriétaire et sa famille dans un espace restreint. Comme pour les autres camps de troupes, les habitants ont rapporté que le village était rempli de troupes et de véhicules et qu’à leur réveil le lendemain, tout avait disparu. &nbsp;Dans Buriton High Street, un monument aux morts commémore les huit hommes de la commune qui ont perdu la vie pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Fred Kempster, résident de Buriton, a joué un rôle essentiel dans les événements qui ont précédé le jour J. Il a été parachuté en France avant le début du débarquement pour prendre des ponts clés et empêcher les troupes allemandes d’attaquer les plages de débarquement. Le pont du canal de Caen, ou Pont de Pégase, a été sécurisé après dix minutes d'intenses combats, et plusieurs villages environnants ont été libérés. Il a été tué à peine dix semaines plus tard.&nbsp; Das Dorf Buriton befindet sich südlich von Petersfield in Hampshire. Aufgrund seiner Lage eignete es sich hervorragend zur Unterbringung der Truppen während der Vorbereitungen auf den D-Day, weshalb eine große Anzahl kanadischer Truppen war dort stationiert wurden. Der Weg durch das Dorf nach Portsmouth war weit weniger auffällig als die Hauptverkehrsstraßen, und so säumten Konvois von Militär und Panzern die Gassen. Die Panzer wurden auf mehreren Feldern geparkt, darunter auch auf den Feldern rund um die Zufahrt zum Buriton House, einem großen Herrenhaus am Rande von Buriton. Die Truppen schlugen ihre Lagerplätze entlang der Straßen und in requirierten Gebäuden des Dorfes auf. So wurden die britischen Truppen in der Schule untergebracht, die praktischerweise genau gegenüber vom Pub lag. Die Einwohner hatten kaum eine Wahl, was die Nutzung ihrer Pubs und Schulen anging, und die gesamte Operation erforderte äußerste Geheimhaltung. Wie bei den meisten anderen Truppenlagern in der Region waren die Beziehungen meist freundlich und die Kinder freuten sich, wenn sie Obst und Süßigkeiten aus amerikanischen Rationen erhielten. Der Pub wurde später von den amerikanischen Truppen übernommen und die Garage in eine Kantine umgewandelt, sodass die Wirtin und ihre Familie nur noch wenig Platz hatten. Die Einwohner machten ähnliche Erfahrungen wie bei anderen Truppenlagern: Das Dorf war mit Truppen und Fahrzeugen gefüllt, die bei Tagesanbruch am nächsten Tag verschwunden waren. &nbsp;In der Buriton High Street erinnert ein Kriegerdenkmal an die acht Männer aus dem Ort, die im Zweiten Weltkrieg ihr Leben verloren. Einer von ihnen, Fred Kempster, nahm dabei eine wichtige Rolle bei den Ereignissen kurz vor dem D-Day. Er gehörte zu den Fallschirmtruppen, die vor der Landung in Frankreich abgesetzt wurden, um wichtige Brücken zu erobern und die deutschen Truppen daran zu hindern, die Landungsstrände anzugreifen. Sergeant Kempster war zusammen mit 180 anderen Männern der Luftlandedivision der Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry an der Einnahme der Pegasusbrücke beteiligt. Die Pegasus-Brücke – die Kanalbrücke von Caen – wurde nach zehn Minuten heftiger Kämpfe gesichert und mehrere der umliegenden Dörfer konnten befreit werden. Sergeant Kempster wurde nur zehn Wochen später getötet.&nbsp; Buriton, even ten zuiden van Petersfield in het graafschap Hampshire, had een ideale ligging voor de huisvesting van troepen in de aanloop naar D-Day. Een groot aantal Canadese troepen was er gestationeerd. De route door het dorp naar Portsmouth was veel minder opvallend dan de hoofdwegen. De straten stonden dan ook vol met soldaten en konvooien van tanks. Ook verschillende velden stonden vol met tanks, waaronder die langs de oprijlaan naar Buriton House, een groot landhuis aan de rand van Buriton. De troepen waren gelegerd langs de wegen en plaatselijke gebouwen werden gevorderd. Zo bood de school, gunstig gelegen tegenover de pub, onderdak aan Britse soldaten. De dorpelingen hadden weinig te zeggen over het gebruik van hun pubs en scholen, en de hele operatie vereiste de grootst mogelijke discretie. De verhoudingen tussen de lokale inwoners en de troepen waren meestal vriendschappelijk. De kinderen genoten van het fruit en snoep uit de Amerikaanse rantsoenen. De pub werd overgenomen door de Amerikaanse troepen en de garage werd omgebouwd tot kantine, waardoor de waardin en haar gezin weinig ruimte overhielden. Net als bij andere troepenkampen meldden de bewoners dat het dorp vol troepen en voertuigen stond, maar dat alles verdwenen was toen ze de volgende dag wakker werden. &nbsp;In de High Street in Buriton herinnert nu een oorlogsmonument aan acht mannen uit het dorp die tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog om het leven kwamen. Fred Kempster, een inwoner van Buriton, speelde een cruciale rol in de aanloop naar D-Day. Hij werd vóór de landing met een parachute in Frankrijk gedropt om belangrijke bruggen te veroveren en te voorkomen dat Duitse troepen de landingsstranden zouden aanvallen. Sergeant Kempster was betrokken bij de verovering van de Pegasusbrug, samen met 180 andere mannen van de Luchtlandingsdivisie van de Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Na tien minuten van hevige gevechten werd de Pegasusbrug, die over het Kanaal van Caen loopt, veiliggesteld en werden verschillende omliggende dorpen bevrijd. Tien weken later werd Kempster vermoord.&nbsp;

 Le village de Buriton et les préparations du débarquement Buriton und die Vorbereitungen auf den D-Day Buriton en de voorbereidingen voor D-Day

The Roman population was not prepared for a large aerial attack and the psychological impact was big. Rome, up until that moment, was intact and all of its inhabitants were convinced it would have remained so. The Allied bombing of San Lorenzo also had large consequences on the subsequent political decisions: in the aftermath of the bombing, the king Vittorio Emanuele III was persuaded to get rid of Mussolini as he was unable to carry on a war which was already lost. In the San Lorenzo district, on the main trail of the “Park of the Fallen on 19 July 1943” there is a monument remembering the names of the 1,492 victims. In the neighbourhood, you can still see traces of the bombing in the drastic changes in buildings, interruptions and empty spaces. The only appearance of Pope Pio XII during the war was straight after the bombing of San Lorenzo, to meet the citizens in the midst of the ruins. Just outside San Lorenzo, in the Tiburtino district, you can find plenty of examples of Fascist architecture, such as the Sapienza University.

One of the crucial moments for Italian history is 19 July 1943, when the Allies bombed the San Lorenzo district, speeding up the fall of Mussolini, who a week later was defeated after a vote of no-confidence by the Great Council of Fascism and arrested.

The Roman population was not prepared for a large aerial attack and the psychological impact was big. Rome, up until that moment, was intact and all of its inhabitants were convinced it would have remained so.

The Allied bombing of San Lorenzo also had large consequences on the subsequent political decisions: in the aftermath of the bombing, the king Vittorio Emanuele III was persuaded to get rid of Mussolini as he was unable to carry on a war which was already lost.

In the San Lorenzo district, on the main trail of the “Park of the Fallen on 19 July 1943” there is a monument remembering the names of the 1,492 victims. In the neighbourhood, you can still see traces of the bombing in the drastic changes in buildings, interruptions and empty spaces. The only appearance of Pope Pio XII during the war was straight after the bombing of San Lorenzo, to meet the citizens in the midst of the ruins.

Just outside San Lorenzo, in the Tiburtino district, you can find plenty of examples of Fascist architecture, such as the Sapienza University.

San Lorenzo bombing

 I romani non erano preparati a un tale attacco e il contraccolpo psicologico fu grande. Roma fino a quel momento era rimasta intatta e tutti erano convinti che così sarebbe rimasta.Il bombardamento di San Lorenzo ebbe decisive conseguenze sulle scelte politiche successive. Fu proprio quell'attacco a convincere il re, Vittorio Emanuele III, a liberarsi di Mussolini, in quanto incapace di continuare una guerra ormai persa. Sul sentiero principale del “Parco dei Caduti del 19 luglio 1943”, è stato innalzato un monumento su cui sono incisi i nomi di 1492 vittime. Nel quartiere rimangono alcune tracce del bombardamento, che l'occhio riesce rapidamente a scorgere in quanto tanti edifici mostrano drastici cambiamenti, interruzioni o spazi vuoti. La sola uscita di Papa Pio XII durante la guerra fu subito dopo il bombardamento di San Lorenzo, per incontrare i cittadini tra le rovine del quartiere. Appena fuori San Lorenzo, nel quartiere Tiburtino, si trovano alcuni importanti esempi di architettura fascista come quello del complesso dell'Università della Sapienza. The Roman population was not prepared for a large aerial attack and the psychological impact was big. Rome, up until that moment, was intact and all of its inhabitants were convinced it would have remained so. The Allied bombing of San Lorenzo also had large consequences on the subsequent political decisions: in the aftermath of the bombing, the king Vittorio Emanuele III was persuaded to get rid of Mussolini as he was unable to carry on a war which was already lost. In the San Lorenzo district, on the main trail of the “Park of the Fallen on 19 July 1943” there is a monument remembering the names of the 1,492 victims. In the neighbourhood, you can still see traces of the bombing in the drastic changes in buildings, interruptions and empty spaces. The only appearance of Pope Pio XII during the war was straight after the bombing of San Lorenzo, to meet the citizens in the midst of the ruins. Just outside San Lorenzo, in the Tiburtino district, you can find plenty of examples of Fascist architecture, such as the Sapienza University.

 Il bombardamento di San Lorenzo San Lorenzo bombing

The hill was subjected to numerous clashes due to its tactical importance. In fact, it provided a tremendous vantage point over the entire landing zone. The battle, one of the fiercest, took place between 11 and 17 September and spread across Piana del Sele. Near the monument visitors can find material that the locals find in the soil of the hillside.Although scarcely known to the chronicles and subsequent historiography, the battle that took place on the hills on which the town of Altavilla Silentina stands was among the most important ones from a strategic and military perspective. From the highest elevation of the territory, which reaches the now symbolic 'Quota 424', the enemy manoeuvre could be controlled and this was essential for the defensive operations of the German troops. The hand-to-hand fighting between German and American troops lasted until the ammunition ran out. On 15 September, the hill and the village were subjected to a naval bombardment that caused much damage to the population that had already been exhausted by the fighting in the previous days. When the fighting ended, there were more than two hundred casualties between Germans and Americans in the area over a period of about seven days. The monument, dedicated to those who fell in those battles, stands next to a small votive shrine that already existed before those events.Today, 'Quota 424' is part of a wide landscape, full of cultivations, orchards and isolated farms that characterises the land between the districts of Pagliara and Campo Fiorito. When visitors reach the junction with State Road No. 19 of Calabrie, they can continue north along the latter until you reach the winding bridge over the Sele River, a very important strategic point for the outcome of the battle in those days.

Small memorial placed at the bombing site with material found.

Monument commemorating the bombing of 11 September 1943 in Altavilla Silentina

Memorial at Quota 424

È denominata così la cima del piccolo colle che si trova nel territorio di Altavilla Silentina, dove è collocato un piccolo monumento che ricorda i combattimenti del settembre 1943, durante l’operazione Avalanche, per la conquista e il controllo dell’area.Sebbene poco nota alle cronache e alla successiva storiografia, la battaglia che ebbe luogo sui rilievi sui quali sorge la cittadina di Altavilla Silentina, fu tra le più importanti dal punto di vista strategico e militare. Dalla massima altura del territorio, che raggiunge l’ormai simbolica “Quota 424”, la manovra nemica poteva essere controllata e ciò era fondamentale per le operazioni difensive delle truppe tedesche. I combattimenti corpo a corpo tra le truppe tedesche e quelle americane si protrassero fino all’esaurimento delle munizioni. Il 15 settembre la collina e il villaggio furono soggetti ad un bombardamento navale che causò molti danni alla popolazione già provata dai combattimenti dei giorni precedenti. Quando i combattimenti si conclusero, in quell’area si contarono oltre duecento perdite tra tedeschi e americani, in un arco temporale di circa sette giorni. Il monumento, dedicato ai caduti in quelle battaglie, sorge accanto a una piccola edicola votiva già esistente prima di quegli eventi.Oggi “Quota 424” fa parte di un paesaggio ampio, costellato da coltivazioni, frutteti e masserie isolate che caratterizza i territori che si aprono tra le contrade di Pagliara e Campo Fiorito. Giunti al bivio con la Statale n. 19 delle Calabrie si può proseguire in direzione nord lungo quest’ultima fino a raggiungere il tortuoso ponte sul fiume Sele, importantissimo punto strategico per gli esiti della battaglia di quei giorni.

 Memoriale a Quota 424

Largo Risorgimento, in the 16th September Park (the date of the Liberation of Viareggio), houses the Monument to Resistance and Peace, erected by the town council in September 1998, where the Allied and partisan forces passed through in September 1944 to liberate the town. The monument, designed by architect Bruno Belluomini and donated to the town by the Versilia Committee of the ANPI, comprises a number of columns recovered from the rubble of the old Town Hall destroyed by bombing in May 1944, raised on a circular plinth. This is pierced by a wall in which a rectangular opening, the 'Gate of Freedom', is opened. On the wall there is a mosaic by Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon, the 'Dove of Peace', and verses by Salvatore Quasimodo are reproduced: “And how could we have sung with our foreign feet above our hearts?.”&nbsp;

viareggio_monumento_alla_resistenza_e_alla_pace_1.jpg

Monument to Resistance and Peace

In largo Risorgimento, nel Parco XVI settembre (data della Liberazione di Viareggio), sorge il Monumento alla Resistenza e alla Pace, edificato, a cura dell’Amministrazione comunale, nel settembre 1998, là dove, nel settembre 1944, passarono le forze alleate e partigiane per liberare la città. Il monumento, progettato dall’architetto Bruno Belluomini e donato alla città dal Comitato versiliese dell’ANPI, comprende alcune colonne recuperate dalle macerie del vecchio Municipio distrutto dai bombardamenti del maggio 1944, innalzate su un basamento circolare; questo è attraversato da una parete in cui è aperto un varco rettangolare, la “porta della libertà”; sulla parete è collocato un mosaico dell’artista belga Jean-Michel Folon, la “Colomba della Pace” e sono riprodotti i versi di Salvatore Quasimodo: "E come potevamo noi cantare con i piedi stranieri sopra il cuore?”.

 Monumento alla Resistenza e alla Pace

Almost at the same time, the Gestapo had increasingly succeeded in exposing and severely dismantling entire resistance rings, even abroad, through informers and traitors. When being arrested, the helpers were threatened with high prison sentences, death sentences and the transfer to extermination camps of the SS.Through a unique effort of solidarity by thousands of patriots and the Resistance, about 2,500 refractors were able to find secret shelter in the country. Various resistance groups were helpful in this by smuggling up to 1,000 fugitives with forged papers through organized escape routes, at constant risk to their lives, to the less-supervised large-scale foreign countries.Initially, in winter, hiding places were created in houses, barns, stables, even churches, and later in disused ore mines. During the warm season, secret shelter could be found in about 85 dug-in field and forest bunkers in the country.Security and rationed food supplies were the greatest challenges, which would not have been accessible without countless anonymous helpers from the population. Occasionally, illegally slaughtered cattle could be procured, or the rationed food supply could be improved by poaching and fishing during the nighttime.The daily supplies were deposited by locally organized resistance groups at night in certain places, where they were later taken by the fugitives to their earth bunkers. Because of the treacherous smoke, cooking was only allowed at concealed fireplaces at night.The day-to-day nondisclosure of young fugitives, with different backgrounds and characters, could only be maintained with iron discipline and draconian punishments.Unfortunately, due to naivety and youthful exuberance, some fatal incidents with fatal outcomes occurred, which plunged entire rope teams of helpers with their families into disaster.The drama of forced recruitment became a national issue for the country. There was almost no family that was not directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy.This has been a voluntary solidarity action, which, despite the death penalty, is unparalleled in the history of the Luxembourg country.This story resonates and links directly to the Monument of Nation Solidarity which is located Ville-Haute, Luxembourg.

Hiding in an ore mine near Rumelange these men survived the war

Secret recording of the execution of a deserter

In Wassebillig, shortly before the border, forced recruits take one last look at their home from the train

Forced recruits on the train through Wasserbillig on their way to the 3rd Reich

The National Monument of Solidarity is dedicated in 1971 to the victims of WW2, to the solidarity of the people and to the resistance against the Nazi occupation.

National Monument of Solidarity

When finishing their basic training, many recruits deserted after their first home leave, despite the death penalty. 

Forced recruits after their basic training

The Underground Survival of Deserters

Almost at the same time, the Gestapo had increasingly succeeded in exposing and severely dismantling entire resistance rings, even abroad, through informers and traitors. When being arrested, the helpers were threatened with high prison sentences, death sentences and the transfer to extermination camps of the SS.Through a unique effort of solidarity by thousands of patriots and the Resistance, about 2,500 refractors were able to find secret shelter in the country. Various resistance groups were helpful in this by smuggling up to 1,000 fugitives with forged papers through organized escape routes, at constant risk to their lives, to the less-supervised large-scale foreign countries.Initially, in winter, hiding places were created in houses, barns, stables, even churches, and later in disused ore mines. During the warm season, secret shelter could be found in about 85 dug-in field and forest bunkers in the country.Security and rationed food supplies were the greatest challenges, which would not have been accessible without countless anonymous helpers from the population. Occasionally, illegally slaughtered cattle could be procured, or the rationed food supply could be improved by poaching and fishing during the nighttime.The daily supplies were deposited by locally organized resistance groups at night in certain places, where they were later taken by the fugitives to their earth bunkers. Because of the treacherous smoke, cooking was only allowed at concealed fireplaces at night.The day-to-day nondisclosure of young fugitives, with different backgrounds and characters, could only be maintained with iron discipline and draconian punishments.Unfortunately, due to naivety and youthful exuberance, some fatal incidents with fatal outcomes occurred, which plunged entire rope teams of helpers with their families into disaster.The drama of forced recruitment became a national issue for the country. There was almost no family that was not directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy.This has been a voluntary solidarity action, which, despite the death penalty, is unparalleled in the history of the Luxembourg country.This story resonates and links directly to the Monument of Nation Solidarity which is located Ville-Haute, Luxembourg. Presque en même temps, la Gestapo a de plus en plus réussi à démasquer et à démanteler sévèrement des réseaux entiers de résistance, même à l'étranger, par l'intermédiaire d'informateurs et de traîtres. Lors de leur arrestation, les assistants étaient menacés de lourdes peines de prison, de condamnation à mort et de transfert dans les camps d'extermination de la SS.Grâce à un effort unique de solidarité de la part de milliers de patriotes et de la Résistance, environ 2 500 réfractaires ont pu trouver un abri secret dans le pays. Différents groupes de résistance ont contribué à cet effort en faisant passer clandestinement jusqu'à 1 000 fugitifs munis de faux papiers par des itinéraires d'évasion organisés, au péril de leur vie, vers des pays étrangers de grande envergure moins surveillés.Au début, en hiver, les cachettes étaient aménagées dans des maisons, des granges, des étables, voire des églises, et plus tard dans des mines de minerai désaffectées. Pendant la saison chaude, des abris secrets pouvaient être trouvés dans quelque 85 bunkers creusés dans les champs et les forêts du pays.La sécurité et le rationnement de la nourriture ont été les plus grands défis, qui n'auraient pas été accessibles sans d'innombrables aides anonymes de la part de la population. Occasionnellement, il était possible de se procurer du bétail abattu illégalement ou d'améliorer les réserves de nourriture rationnées en braconnant et en pêchant pendant la nuit.Les approvisionnements quotidiens étaient déposés la nuit par des groupes de résistance organisés localement à certains endroits, où les fugitifs les emportaient ensuite dans leurs bunkers en terre. En raison de la fumée dangereuse, la cuisine n'était autorisée que la nuit, dans des foyers dissimulés.Le secret quotidien des jeunes fugitifs, aux origines et aux caractères différents, ne pouvait être maintenu que par une discipline de fer et des punitions draconiennes.Malheureusement, en raison de la naïveté et de l'exubérance de la jeunesse, certains incidents fatals se sont produits, plongeant des équipes entières de cordées d'assistants et leurs familles dans le désastre.Le drame du recrutement forcé est devenu un problème national pour le pays. Il n'y a pratiquement aucune famille qui n'ait été directement ou indirectement touchée par cette tragédie.Il s'agit d'une action de solidarité volontaire qui, malgré la peine de mort, n'a pas d'équivalent dans l'histoire du Luxembourg.Cette histoire a une résonance et un lien direct avec le Monument de la solidarité nationale, situé à Ville-Haute, au Luxembourg. Fast zeitgleich gelang es der Gestapo zunehmend, durch Spitzel und Verräter ganze Widerstandsringe, auch im Ausland, zu entlarven und ernsthaft zu zerschlagen. Bei ihrer Verhaftung drohten den Helferinnen und Helfern hohe Gefängnisstrafen, Todesurteile und die Überstellung in Vernichtungslager der SS. Durch eine einzigartige Solidaritätsaktion des Widerstands sowie tausender Patriotinnen und Patrioten konnten etwa 2.500 Widerständler heimlich im Land unterkommen. Verschiedene Widerstandsgruppen halfen dabei, indem sie bis zu 1.000 Flüchtlinge mit gefälschten Papieren über organisierte Fluchtwege unter ständiger Lebensgefahr in das weniger überwachte große Ausland schmuggelten.Zunächst wurden im Winter Verstecke in Häusern, Scheunen, Ställen, sogar in Kirchen und später in stillgelegten Erzgruben angelegt. In der warmen Jahreszeit fand man in etwa 85 eingegrabenen Feld- und Waldbunkern auf dem Lande Unterschlupf. Die größten Herausforderungen waren die Sicherheit und die rationierte Lebensmittelversorgung, die ohne zahllose anonyme Helferinnen und Helfer aus der Bevölkerung nicht möglich gewesen wäre. Gelegentlich konnte illegal geschlachtetes Vieh beschafft oder die rationierte Lebensmittelversorgung durch nächtliches Wildern und Fischen verbessert werden.Die täglichen Vorräte wurden von lokal organisierten Widerstandsgruppen nachts an bestimmten Orten deponiert, wo sie später von den Flüchtlingen in ihre Erdbunker gebracht wurden. Wegen des verräterischen Rauchs durfte nachts nur an versteckten Feuerstellen gekocht werden. Die tagtägliche Geheimhaltung der jungen Flüchtlinge mit unterschiedlichem Hintergrund und Charakter konnte nur mit eiserner Disziplin und drakonischen Strafen aufrechterhalten werden.Leider kam es aufgrund von Naivität und jugendlichem Übermut zu einigen tödlichen Zwischenfällen mit fatalem Ausgang, die ganze Seilschaften von Helferinnen und Helfern mit ihren Familien ins Unglück stürzten. Das Drama der Zwangsrekrutierung wurde zu einem nationalen Thema für das Land. Es gab fast keine Familie, die nicht direkt oder indirekt von dieser Tragödie betroffen war. Es handelte sich um eine freiwillige Solidaritätsaktion, die trotz der Todesstrafe in der Geschichte des Landes Luxemburg einmalig ist. Diese Geschichte steht in direktem Zusammenhang mit dem Monument der Solidarität der Nationen in Ville-Haute, Luxemburg. Bijna tegelijkertijd slaagde de Gestapo er steeds beter in om hele verzetsgroepen te ontmaskeren en zwaar te ontmantelen, zelfs in het buitenland, door middel van informanten en verraders. Bij hun arrestatie werden de helpers bedreigd met hoge gevangenisstraffen, doodstraffen en overbrenging naar vernietigingskampen van de SS.Door een unieke solidariteitsinspanning van duizenden patriotten en het verzet konden ongeveer 2.500 refractors een geheime schuilplaats in het land vinden. Verschillende verzetsgroepen waren hierbij behulpzaam door tot 1.000 vluchtelingen met vervalste papieren via georganiseerde vluchtroutes, met constant gevaar voor eigen leven, naar het minder bewaakte grootschalige buitenland te smokkelen.Aanvankelijk werden in de winter schuilplaatsen gecreëerd in huizen, schuren, stallen, zelfs kerken en later in niet meer gebruikte ertsmijnen. Tijdens het warme seizoen was er een geheime schuilplaats in ongeveer 85 ingegraven veld- en bosbunkers in het land.Veiligheid en gerantsoeneerde voedselvoorraden waren de grootste uitdagingen, die niet toegankelijk zouden zijn geweest zonder talloze anonieme helpers uit de bevolking. Af en toe kon illegaal geslacht vee worden bemachtigd of kon de gerantsoeneerde voedselvoorraad worden verbeterd door 's nachts te stropen en te vissen.De dagelijkse voorraden werden door lokaal georganiseerde verzetsgroepen 's nachts op bepaalde plaatsen gedeponeerd, waar ze later door de voortvluchtigen naar hun aarden bunkers werden gebracht. Vanwege de verraderlijke rook mocht er 's nachts alleen gekookt worden op verborgen vuurplaatsen.De dagelijkse geheimhouding van jonge vluchtelingen, met verschillende achtergronden en karakters, kon alleen worden gehandhaafd met ijzeren discipline en draconische straffen. Helaas deden zich door naïviteit en jeugdige uitbundigheid enkele fatale incidenten met fatale afloop voor, die hele touwteams van helpers met hun gezinnen in een ramp stortten.Het drama van de gedwongen rekrutering werd een nationale kwestie voor het land. Er was bijna geen familie die niet direct of indirect getroffen werd door deze tragedie.Dit was een vrijwillige solidariteitsactie die, ondanks de doodstraf, zijn weerga niet kent in de geschiedenis van het Luxemburgse land.Dit verhaal vindt weerklank en is direct verbonden met het Monument van Nationale Solidariteit in Ville-Haute, Luxemburg.

 De ondergrondse overleving van deserteurs The Underground Survival of Deserters La survie souterraine des déserteurs Das Überleben von Deserteuren im Untergrund

On 6 June 1944, Caen was the main strategic objective for the British 3rd Infantry Division which had landed on Sword Beach. Firmly positioned to the north and west of the city, two German tank divisions prevented the Allies from capturing the city in the first two days. The next few days British General Bernard Montgomery attempted to take Caen with a pincer movement and attacked the city from the northeast and southwest. On 13 June the offensive was stalled in Villers-Bocage by German Tiger tanks.A further attack was planned by the British 8th Corps. The so called Epsom Operation brought together 60,000 men with the intention of moving around Caen across the Odon River. Within a few days the offensive was stopped at the foot of hill 112. A few weeks later General Montgomery decided to capture Caen in a head-on attack, that became known as Operation Charnwood. In the morning of 8 July 1944, 115,000 men and 500 tanks of the British 1st Corps attacked the French city of Caen. The previous day the town had been bombarded by 450 bombers of the Royal Air Force and 2,600 tons of bombs had been dropped, killing 300 civilians. During Operation Charnwood the British and Canadian troops reached the bridges of the Orne on 9 July. The river's left bank was liberated, together with the Ilot Sanitaire, an emergency hospital and refuge, which sheltered some 20,000 civilians. Montgomery launched Operation Goodwood to capture the right bank of the Orne as well. At dawn on 18 July, 6,000 tons of bombs were dropped over eastern Caen. With the simultaneous Operation Atlantic, entrusted to the Canadians, the town was entirely liberated on 19 July 1944. Instead of one day, it took the Allies six weeks to capture the city.It was a Pyrrhic victory, with a devastating toll. 30,000 Anglo-Canadian soldiers were killed. 80 percent of the town was destroyed and it lost 3,000 of its inhabitants.

On D-Day Caen was an important Allied objective as it was an essential road hub, strategically astride the Orne River and Caen Canal. The Germans defended this stronghold with all their power. It took six weeks of fighting and heavy shelling to capture the capital of Normandy. 30,000 Anglo-Canadian soldiers and 3,000 civilians lost their lives.

On 6 June 1944 Caen was the main objective for the British 3rd Infantry Division, that had landed on Sword Beach. Firmly positioned to the north and west of the city, two Panzer Divisions prevented the Allies from capturing the city in the first two days. The next few days General Montgomery attempted to take Caen by a pincer movement and attacked the city from the northeast and southwest. On 13 June the offensive was stalled in Villers-Bocage by German Tiger tanks.

A further attack was planned with the British 8th Corps. The so called Epsom Operation brought together 60,000 men with the intention of getting around Caen across the Odon River. Within a few days the offensive was stopped at the foot of hill 112. A few weeks later Montgomery decided to capture Caen in a frontal attack, that became known as Operation Charnwood. In the morning of 8 July, 115,000 men and 500 tanks of the British 1st Corps attacked. The previous day the town had been bombarded by 450 bombers of the Royal Air Force and 2,600 tons of bombs had been dropped, killing 300 civilians. During Operation Charnwood the British and Canadian troops reached the bridges of the Orne on 9th July. The left-bank was liberated, together with the Ilot Sanitaire, an emergency hospital and refuge, which sheltered some 20,000 civilians.

Montgomery launched Operation Goodwood to capture the right-bank. At dawn on 18 July 6,000 tons of bombs were dropped over eastern Caen. With the simultaneous Operation Atlantic, entrusted to the Canadians, the town was entirely liberated on 19 July 1944. Instead of one day, it took the Allies six weeks to capture the city. It was a Pyrrhic victory, with a devastating toll. 30,000 Anglo-Canadian soldiers were killed. 80% of the town was destroyed and it lost 3,000 of its inhabitants.

The Battle for Caen

Le 6 juin 1944, Caen est l'objectif principal de la 3e division d'infanterie britannique, qui vient de débarquer à Sword Beach.&nbsp;Solidement positionnés au Nord et à l'Ouest de la ville, deux divisions de chars allemands empêchaient les Alliés de la capturer les deux premiers jours.&nbsp;Dans les jours qui suivent, le général britannique Bernard Montgomery tente de prendre Caen en tenaille en attaquant la ville par le nord-est et le sud-ouest. Le 13 juin 1944, l'offensive est arrêtée par des chars allemands Tiger à Villers-Bocage.Une nouvelle attaque est alors planifiée par le 8e corps britannique. L'opération, baptisée « Epsom », mobilise 60 000 hommes dans le but de contourner Caen par la rivière Odon. Quelques jours plus tard, l'offensive est arrêtée au pied de la colline 112. Quelques semaines plus tard, le général Montgomery décide de reprendre Caen au cours d'une attaque frontale, appelée « Opération Charnwood ». Au matin du 8 juillet 1944, 115 000 hommes et 500 tanks du 1er corps britannique passent à l'attaque. La veille, la ville a été bombardée par 450 avions de la Royal Air Force et 2 600 tonnes de bombes ont été larguées, tuant 300 civils. Dans le cadre de l'Opération Charnwood, les troupes britanniques et canadiennes atteignent les ponts de l'Orne le 9 juillet. La rive gauche est libérée, de même que l'Îlot Sanitaire, un hôpital d'urgence servant également d'abri à quelque 20 000 civils. Montgomery lance l'Opération Goodwood pour s'emparer de la rive droite. À l'aube du 18 juillet, 6 000 tonnes de bombes sont larguées sur l'est de Caen. Avec l'aide de l'Opération Atlantic, menée simultanément et confiée aux Canadiens, la ville est entièrement libérée le 19 juillet 1944. Au lieu d'une journée, il aura fallu six semaines aux Alliés pour reprendre la ville. Une victoire à la Pyrrhus obtenue au prix d'un lourd bilan humain. 30 000 soldats anglo-canadiens ont été tués. La ville a été détruite à 80 pourcent et a perdu 3 000 habitants. 21 Dywizja Pancera i 12 Dywizja Pancerna SS, zajmujące silne pozycje na północ i zachód od miasta, uniemożliwiały 3 Brytyjskiej Dywizji Piechoty zdobycie celu. Kiedy atak Kanadyjczyków został odparty na północno-zachodnich flankach miasta, Montgomery próbował okrążyć Caen od zachodu. Wydał on rozkaz wymarszu w kierunku Evrecy 30 Korpusowi Brytyjskiemu i 7 Dywizji Pancernej. W dniu 13 czerwca ofensywa utknęła w Villers-Bocage wstrzymana przez Tygrysy ze 101 Batalionu Czołgów Ciężkich. Dalszy atak był planowany przy udziale 8 Korpusu Brytyjskiego. W operacji Epsom, mającej na celu okrążenie Caen przez rzekę Odon, wzięło udział łącznie 60.000 ludzi. W ciągu kilku dni ofensywa ta została zatrzymana u stóp 'Wzgórza 112'. Na początku lipca Generał Montgomery zdecydował się na zdobycie Caen atakiem frontalnym, któremu nadano kryptonim Operacja Charnwood. Rankiem 8 lipca atak przypuścił 1 Korpus Brytyjski w sile 115.000 ludzi i 500 czołgów. Poprzedniego dnia miasto zostało zbombardowane przez 450 bombowców Royal Air Force. Zrzucono 2.600 ton bomb zabijając 300 osób cywilnych. Po całodziennej walce, w dniu 9 lipca oddziały brytyjskie i kanadyjskie dotarły do mostów na Orne. Lewy brzeg został oswobodzony wraz z 'Ilot Sanitaire' (szpitalem polowym i schronieniem, które po 6 lipca objęło zasięgiem Abbaye aux Hommes, Lycée Malherbe i Bon zapewniając dach nad głową dla około 20.000 cywilów). Następnie, Montgomery rozpoczął Operację Goodwood, by przechwycić prawy brzeg. O świcie 18 lipca na wschodnią część Caen zrzucono 6.000 ton bomb. W tym samym czasie podjęta została powierzona Kanadyjczykom Operacja Atlantyk. W efekcie miasto zostało oswobodzone w całości w dniu 19 lipca 1944r. Caen było wolne, jednak było to pyrrusowe zwycięstwo. Miasto legło w gruzach - 80% budynków zostało zniszczonych, a ludność okryta została żałobą po stracie 3.000 mieszkańców. Voor de 3e Britse Infanterie Divisie was Caen de grote missie tijdens D-day. Deze divisie was geland op Sword Beach tijdens D-Day, 6 juni 1944. Goed gepositioneerd aan de noordkant en westkant van de stad zorgden twee Duitse pantserdivisies ervoor dat de geallieerden gedurende de eerste twee dagen de stad niet konden innemen. De hierop volgende dagen probeerde generaal Montgomery Caen in te nemen door met een tangbeweging de stad aan te vallen vanuit het noordoosten en het zuidwesten. Op 13 juni werd het offensief door Duitse Tiger-tanks in Villers-Bocage tijdelijk gestopt. Een volgende aanval werd gepland met het 8e Britse Korps. De zogenoemde Epsom operatie bracht 60.000 man bij elkaar met de intentie om langs Caen aan de overkant van de rivier de Odon te komen. Maar aan de voet van heuvel 112 werd ook dit offensief gestopt. Een aantal weken later besloot Montgomery Caen in te nemen door een frontale aanval, bekend geworden als Operatie Charnwood. Tijdens de ochtend van 8 juli vielen 115.000 man en 500 tanks van het 1e Britse Korps Caen aan. De dag ervoor werd de stad gebombardeerd door 450 bommenwerpers van de Royal Air Force. Zij hadden 2.600 ton aan bommen afgeworpen, waardoor ook 300 burgers om het leven kwamen. Tijdens Operatie Charnwood bereikten de Britse en Canadese troepen de bruggen van de Orne op 9 juli. De linkeroever werd bevrijd, samen met Ilot Sanitaire, een ziekenhuis en schuilplaats waar ongeveer 20.000 burgers bivakkeerden. Montgomery lanceerde Operatie Goodwood om de rechteroever in te nemen. Bij zonsopgang werden 6.000 ton bommen op de oostkant van Caen afgeworpen. Met de gelijklopende Operatie Atlantic, die geheel aan de Canadezen was toevertrouwd, werd Caen uiteindelijk op 19 juli 1944 bevrijd. In plaats van één dag duurde het voor de geallieerden zes weken om de stad in te nemen. Het was een tragische overwinning met een verschrikkelijk hoge prijs. 30.000 Anglo-Canadese soldaten waren omgekomen, 80% van de stad was verwoest en 3.000 burgers waren gedood in de strijd. Am 6. Juni 1944 bildete Caen das Hauptziel der britischen 3. Infanteriedivision, die am Sword Beach gelandet war. Strategisch gut an der Nord- und Westseite der Stadt aufgestellt, gelang es zwei deutschen Panzerdivisionen, die Einnahme der Stadt durch die alliierten Streitkräfte in den ersten zwei Tagen zu verhindern. Während der nächsten Tage unternahm der britische General Bernard Montgomery einen Versuch, Caen durch eine taktische Zangenbewegung einzunehmen, und griff von Nordosten und Südwesten gleichzeitig an. Am 13. Juni 1944 brachten deutsche Panzer vom Typ Tiger die Offensive bei Villers-Bocage zum Stillstand. Gemeinsam mit dem britischen VIII. Korps wurde ein weiterer Angriff geplant. Die sogenannte Operation Epsom führte 60.000 Männer mit dem Ziel zusammen, den Fluss Odon zu überqueren und Caen zu umgehen. Binnen weniger Tage wurde die Offensive jedoch am Fuß des Hügels 112 gestoppt. Einige Wochen später beschloss Montgomery, Caen durch einen Frontalangriff einzunehmen, der als Operation Charnwood bekannt wurde. Am Morgen des 8. Juli 1944 griffen 115.000 Männer und 500 Panzer des britischen I. Korps an. Am Tag zuvor hatten 450 Bomber der Royal Air Force die Stadt bombardiert und 2.600 Tonnen Bomben abgeworfen, wobei 300 Zivilisten ihr Leben verloren. Während der Operation Charnwood erreichten die britischen und kanadischen Truppen am 9. Juli die Brücken über die Orne. Das linke Flussufer war befreit und damit auch das Ilot Sanitaire, ein Unfallkrankenhaus, das zum Zufluchtsort geworden war und nahezu 20.000 Zivilisten Schutz bot. Um auch das rechte Flussufer unter seine Kontrolle zu bringen, startete Montgomery die Operation Goodwood. Bei Tagesanbruch des 18. Juli wurden 6.000 Tonnen Bomben über dem Osten der Stadt Caen abgeworfen. Dank der zeitgleich stattfindenden Operation Atlantic – unter Führung der kanadischen Streitkräfte – konnte die Stadt am 19. Juli 1944 vollständig befreit werden.Statt nur eines einzigen Tages benötigten die Alliierten sechs Wochen für die Einnahme von Caen – ein Pyrrhussieg, der einen verheerenden Tribut forderte: Während der Gefechte fielen 30.000 Soldaten der anglo-kanadischen Truppen, die Stadt wurde zu 80 Prozent zerstört und 3.000 ihrer Bewohner verloren ihr Leben. On 6 June 1944, Caen was the main strategic objective for the British 3rd Infantry Division which had landed on Sword Beach. Firmly positioned to the north and west of the city, two German tank divisions prevented the Allies from capturing the city in the first two days. The next few days British General Bernard Montgomery attempted to take Caen with a pincer movement and attacked the city from the northeast and southwest. On 13 June the offensive was stalled in Villers-Bocage by German Tiger tanks.A further attack was planned by the British 8th Corps. The so called Epsom Operation brought together 60,000 men with the intention of moving around Caen across the Odon River. Within a few days the offensive was stopped at the foot of hill 112. A few weeks later General Montgomery decided to capture Caen in a head-on attack, that became known as Operation Charnwood. In the morning of 8 July 1944, 115,000 men and 500 tanks of the British 1st Corps attacked the French city of Caen.The previous day the town had been bombarded by 450 bombers of the Royal Air Force and 2,600 tons of bombs had been dropped, killing 300 civilians. During Operation Charnwood the British and Canadian troops reached the bridges of the Orne on 9 July. The river's left bank was liberated, together with the Ilot Sanitaire, an emergency hospital and refuge, which sheltered some 20,000 civilians. Montgomery launched Operation Goodwood to capture the right bank of the Orne as well.At dawn on 18 July, 6,000 tons of bombs were dropped over eastern Caen. With the simultaneous Operation Atlantic, entrusted to the Canadians, the town was entirely liberated on 19 July 1944. Instead of one day, it took the Allies six weeks to capture the city.It was a Pyrrhic victory, with a devastating toll. 30,000 Anglo-Canadian soldiers were killed. 80 percent of the town was destroyed and it lost 3,000 of its inhabitants.

 La bataille de Caen Bitwa o Caen De Slag om Caen Die Schlacht um Caen The Battle for Caen

In May 1940, a stately villa on Groningen's Grote Markt was requisitioned by the Germans. It had been commissioned by Groningen businessman Willem Albert Scholten in the 19th century, which is why it was known as the Scholtenhuis.This house was the office of the Sicherheitsdienst (SD), the Sicherheitspolizei (SIPO) and the Beauftragte (commissioner) of Reichskommissar Seyss-Inquart in the north, Hermann Göring, during the occupation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The interrogations at Scholtenhuis were notorious. Prisoners were for instance beaten with nightsticks until they lost consciousness. A gruesome bathtub method was also used at the Scholtenhuis whereby prisoners were immersed naked in a bath of ice-cold water until they almost drowned, then pulled up by the hair, just to be pushed underwater again until the desired information was given. After interrogation, the detainees were taken to the attic of Scholtenhuis.&nbsp;&nbsp;In April 1945, the occupiers became aware that liberation was near and they wanted to clean up the traces of their crimes. As many as 70 prisoners who had witnessed the crimes were sentenced to death. Among them were ten resistance fighters who were taken from the Huis van Bewaring (House of Detention) in Groningen at four in the morning on Sunday 8 April 1945 and taken by truck to the hiding spot in the Everts forest near Anloo. At the burrow, the prisoners were horribly abused by the SDs and then executed. The bodies were thrown into the burrow and covered with sand.&nbsp;&nbsp;Two days later, Gezinus Udding noticed that something had changed at the hiding spot in Anloo.He saw that it had been filled with burnt wood and soil. He also saw a large pool of blood. Once the burrow was dug out, resistance fighters found the 10 victims, all killed with a neck shot. The ten of them were then temporarily reburied at the cemetery in Anloo.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Remembrance stone Eext-Anloo

Execution within sight of liberation 

Im Mai 1940 wurde eine stattliche Villa am Grote Markt in Groningen von den Deutschen beschlagnahmt. Sie war im 19. Jahrhundert von dem Groninger Geschäftsmann Willem Albert Scholten in Auftrag gegeben worden war und daher den Namen Scholtenhuis trug. Während der Besatzung war dieses Haus das Büro des Sicherheitsdienstes (SD), der Sicherheitspolizei (SIPO) und des Beauftragten des Reichskommissars Seyss-Inquart im Norden, Hermann Göring.&nbsp;Die Verhöre im Scholtenhuis waren berüchtigt. Die Gefangenen wurden zum Beispiel mit Schlagstöcken traktiert, bis sie das Bewusstsein verloren. Im Scholtenhuis wurde auch die grausame Badewannenmethode angewandt: Die Gefangenen wurden nackt in ein Bad mit eiskaltem Wasser getaucht, bis sie fast ertranken, dann an den Haaren hochgezogen und wieder unter Wasser gedrückt, bis die gewünschten Informationen gegeben wurden. Nach dem Verhör wurden die Gefangenen auf den Dachboden des Scholtenhuis gebracht.&nbsp;Im April 1945 entging den Besatzern nicht, dass die Befreiung nahe war und sie wollten die Spuren ihrer Verbrechen beseitigen. Nicht weniger als 70 Häftlinge, die die Verbrechen miterlebt hatten, wurden zum Tode verurteilt. Darunter zehn Widerstandskämpfer, die am Sonntag, dem 8. April 1945, um vier Uhr morgens mit einem Lastwagen aus dem Gefängnis in Groningen in das Versteck im Evertswald bei Anloo gebracht wurden. In dem Versteck wurden die Gefangenen von den SD-Leuten grausam misshandelt und anschließend hingerichtet. Die Leichen wurden in das Loch geworfen und mit Sand bedeckt.&nbsp;Zwei Tage später bemerkte Gezinus Udding, dass sich in dem Versteck in Anloo etwas verändert hatte. Er sah, dass es mit verbranntem Holz und Erde aufgefüllt worden war. Außerdem sah er eine große Blutlache. Als das Loch ausgehoben wurde, fanden die Widerstandskämpfer die zehn Opfer, die alle mit einem Genickschuss getötet worden waren. Die zehn wurden dann vorübergehend auf dem Friedhof in Anloo beigesetzt.&nbsp;Zwei Tage später bemerkte Gezinus Udding, dass sich bei dem Versteck in Anloo etwas verändert hatte. Er sah, dass es mit verbranntem Holz und Erde aufgefüllt worden war. Außerdem sah er eine große Blutlache. Als das Loch ausgehoben wurde, fanden die Widerstandskämpfer die zehn Opfer, die alle mit einem Genickschuss getötet worden waren. Die zehn wurden dann vorübergehend auf dem Friedhof in Anloo beigesetzt.&nbsp; In mei 1940 werd aan de Grote Markt in Groningen een statige villa door de Duitsers gevorderd. Het was in de negentiende eeuw in opdracht van de Groningse zakenman Willem Albert Scholten gebouwd en werd daarom het Scholtenhuis genoemd. Dit huis was tijdens de bezetting het kantoor van de Sicherheitsdienst (SD), de Sicherheitspolizei (SIPO) en de Beauftragte (commissaris) van rijkscommissaris Seyss-Inquart in het noorden, Hermann Göring.&nbsp;&nbsp;De verhoren in het Scholtenhuis waren berucht. Gevangenen werden bijvoorbeeld&nbsp; geslagen met gummiknuppels tot ze het bewustzijn verloren. Ook werd in het Scholtenhuis de gruwelijke badkuipmethode toegepast: de gevangenen werden naakt ondergedompeld in een bad met ijskoud water tot ze bijna verdronken, dan aan de haren omhoog getrokken om opnieuw onder water te worden geduwd tot de gewenste informatie werd gegeven. Na het verhoor werden de arrestanten naar de zolder van het Scholtenhuis gebracht.&nbsp;&nbsp;In april 1945 ontging het de bezetters niet dat de bevrijding nabij was en ze wilden de sporen van hun misdaden opruimen. Maar liefst zeventig gevangenen die getuige waren geweest van de misdrijven werden ter dood veroordeeld. Onder hen tien verzetsstrijders die zondag 8 april 1945 om vier uur ‘s ochtends uit het Huis van Bewaring in Groningen met een vrachtauto naar het onderduikershol in het Evertsbos bij Anloo werden gebracht. Bij het hol werden de gevangenen door de SD’ers vreselijk mishandeld en daarna geëxecuteerd. De lichamen werden in het hol gegooid en met zand bedekt.&nbsp;&nbsp;Twee dagen later zag Gezinus Udding dat er iets was veranderd bij het onderduikershol in Anloo. Hij zag dat het was dichtgegooid met verbrand hout en aarde. Ook zag hij een grote plas bloed. Toen het hol werd uitgegraven vonden de verzetslieden de tien slachtoffers, allemaal met een nekschot om het leven gebracht. De tien zijn vervolgens op de begraafplaats in Anloo tijdelijk herbegraven.&nbsp;&nbsp;