In April 1945, the Allies liberated the eastern part of Overijssel, moving forward from the Twente Canal. From here, towns such as Almelo, Wierden, Vroomshoop, and Den Ham were freed.Mariënberg, Hardenberg, and Gramsbergen were liberated from the direction of Coevorden. In this region, resistance was particularly strong; one of its most prominent figures was Frits de Zwerver from Heemse near Hardenberg. He was a co-founder of the National Organization for People in Hiding (LO), alongside Tante Riek (Kuipers-Rietberg) from Winterswijk.Set out and experience the many remarkable stories on location. And don’t forget to enjoy the characterful Twente countryside and the beautiful nature of the Vechtdal in Overijssel.

The Netherlands

De Vosseboer in Den Ham, a farm with rich history.

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Bailey bridge near Delden for the crossing of the Canadians over the Twente Canal, April 3, 1945.

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Hiking in the countryside South of Almelo, here in Hengevelde.

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The Algonquin Regiment in Wierden, 9 April 1945.

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Buste of Frits de Zwerver, honoring this resistant fighter. 

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In the Footsteps of the Canadians through Eastern Overijssel

The cemetery contains a total of 18 graves of Commonwealth soldiers. These include seven soldiers from 1944 (J.E. Harris in May 1944 and six crew members of the crash on Hofkampstraat on 23 September 1944) and eleven soldiers from 1945. Of these, sixteen were British soldiers and two were Canadian: Flying Officer W.S. Burns (Royal Canadian Air Force) and Private F.J. Larrett (Perth Regiment).In addition, 30 other victims of the Second World War are buried at ’t Groenedael, mostly members of the local resistance. Jan Berend Netelenbos, who also has a grave here, died as a civilian in the crash.

War Graves at ’t Groenedael Cemetery

On the 25th of December 1944, a train was travelling from Kampen via Zwolle towards Germany with 1,400 Dutch forced labourers. Most came from the Zeeland and Zuid Holland islands and were arrested during German raids. On the 20th of December 1944, the SS and Police Chief Rauter had commanded the Order Police to round up thousands of Dutch men and transport them to Germany to repair destroyed roads and railway lines and clear rubble. Such arrests also took place in Goeree Overflakkee, Schouwen Duiveland and in northern Holland.The fate of these forced labourers en route to Germany seemed sealed, until British Spitfire fighter planes strafed the train. Nearly 200 escaped immediately. Many mingled with churchgoers, who sheltered them and directed them to safer places such as attics, basements and sheds. The wounded were given first aid in the primary school in the Stationsstraat, now a Rabobank. At that time, it was equipped as a temporary hospital. Later, they were taken to hospital in Almelo. About 1,200 forced labourers were taken by German soldiers and imprisoned in the textile factory of the Scholten firm on the Violenhoeksweg. The inhabitants of Wierden were also able to liberate dozens of them.Around six o'clock in the evening, another train stood ready to transport forced labourers from the factory to Nazi Germany. During the transfer of the group to the train, another few dozen escaped with the help of local Wierden people and sought refuge in the village. That night, the village was full escaped forced labourers, with sometimes five or more hiding with one family. During the coming days, almost all of the approximately 300 escaped forced labourers found a safe haven in the Wierden countryside and in surrounding areas, thanks to the excellent cooperation between the resistance groups and local people. An exceptional example of community spirit, which sprang up in a very short time.On the 17th of May 1947, two years after the liberation of the Netherlands, the former forced labourers donated a monument to Wierden in gratitude to and in memory of the four victims. It stands near the station where ‘the Christmas train from Wierden' was strafed. 40 of the approximately 1,100 forced labourers transported to Germany never returned.

In the Footsteps of the Canadians through Eastern Overijssel

Photos

Sites et histoires le long de la route

War Graves at ’t Groenedael Cemetery

The Christmas train from Wierden