The Netherlands
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The province of Zealand and Flanders play a key role at the end of World War II. From September 4 until November 8 1944 the Battle for the Scheldt takes place with the objective to open up the ports of Antwerp for the Allied war effort. Sint Philipsland is liberated in early November 1944, but Schouwen-Duiveland on the other side of Zijpe will remain occupied by the Germans until the end of the war.
After the liberation of the inundated St. Philipsland on November 5, 1944, the allied troops stand on guard on the coast across from Schouwen-Duiveland. From on top of the water tower on the dike, the enemy can be observed. The Germans want to get rid of that ideal observation point as quickly as possible.
In the night from January 22nd to January 23rd, 1945, about 50 Fallschirmjäger, German paratroopers, cross the Zijpe and carry out an attack. At the farmhouse Hof Rumoirt, at the Langeweg, a gunfight breaks out. Three Polish, two British and one Dutch soldier, Piet Avontuur, all lose their lives. There is also one civilian casualty. The water tower was blown up around midnight that night.