Wonsstelling
Wons
The village of Wons played an important role during the invasion of the German army in 1940. This had to do with its location opposite the Afsluitdijk. The Wonsstelling was the last obstacle before the German troops reached the Afsluitdijk.
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The village of Wons played an important role during the invasion of the German army in 1940. This had to do with its location opposite the Afsluitdijk. The Wonsstelling was the last obstacle before the German troops reached the Afsluitdijk.
The position was built in a short time and consisted of structures made of earth and wood. The poorly constructed positions were given the name Molshopen by the crew. During the German invasion, the crew at Wons position bravely resisted until the single gun ran out of ammunition. After this, the Dutch soldiers fled to Makkum, where most were made prisoners of war and were taken to camps in Groningen and Germany.
The battle in Wons delayed the German advance for two days, allowing many Dutch troops to escape safely over the water. After the positions at Wons were knocked-out, the German troops advanced to the Casemates at Kornwerderzand. Unfortunately, nothing is left of the 'Wee-ons' positions. In the Casemates Museum you can see a replica with the name "De Desperation".
