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Wolvega-Akkrum | Liberation route: section 1

(30.3 km)

After the Allied airborne troops were defeated at Arnhem in September 1944, it took until March 1945 for the Allies to go on the offensive again. After that, however, things moved quickly. The German forces in Gelderland and Overijssel had been severely weakened and were outnumbered. Backed by an effective Frisian resistance, Friesland was eventually liberated at a rapid pace.

In early April, it became clear that the liberation of Friesland was imminent. Although the province had not suffered a real Hunger Winter like other parts of the Netherlands, there were severe shortages of just about everything. And the terror of the occupying forces was growing. This also led to increased resistance against the occupying forces. The battle between the two was tougher than ever in early 1945.  

In Friesland, ass…

After the Allied airborne troops were defeated at Arnhem in September 1944, it took until March 1945 for the Allies to go on the offensive again. After that, however, things moved quickly. The German forces in Gelderland and Overijssel had been severely weakened and were outnumbered. Backed by an effective Frisian resistance, Friesland was eventually liberated at a rapid pace.

In early April, it became clear that the liberation of Friesland was imminent. Although the province had not suffered a real Hunger Winter like other parts of the Netherlands, there were severe shortages of just about everything. And the terror of the occupying forces was growing. This also led to increased resistance against the occupying forces. The battle between the two was tougher than ever in early 1945.  

In Friesland, assault groups known as Knokploegen (KP) were responsible for most acts of resistance. But there were other groups too. On the orders of the Dutch government in London, all these groups were merged into the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces (NBS). In Friesland, this happened on 12 December 1944. 

 
The NBS, popularly referred to as the BS, gave the armed resistance an organisation with a clear structure. The NBS was also supposed to play a role in the upcoming liberation. To this end, resistance groups were provided with weapons from autumn 1944. These were dropped from the air.  
 
On 8 April, Radio Orange broadcast the message "The bottle is empty." This was the signal for the NBS to start carrying out sabotage operations 36 hours later. The aim was to make it as difficult as possible for the Germans to defend themselves against the approaching Allied forces. 
 
The resistance did this by putting bridges and railways out of order, blocking waterways and blocking roads.  The response of the occupying forces was ruthless.  In retaliation, dozens more prisoners were shot at different times and places.  

Once the Canadians entered Friesland on 12 April, they were supported extremely effectively by the Frisian resistance. Because it was superbly organised, they were able to help the Canadians take control of important bridges, repair damaged bridges, and advise on the most favourable route.  

By 18 April, the whole province was liberated except for the Wadden Islands (these were liberated in late May and in June). Compared to other provinces, there was little fighting in Friesland. Overall, the few thousand German troops who had been unable to flee Friesland were defeated by the Canadians relatively quickly.  

The commander of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Landell, praised the actions of the resistance by stating "Friesland liberated herself." While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, the actions of the Frisian resistance undoubtedly accelerated the liberation. And reduced the number of casualties on the Allied side.  

In confrontations with German troops and their Dutch accomplices, at least 31 resistance fighters lost their lives. On the Allied side, at least eleven Canadians and one Frenchman were killed. The fighting and shelling also resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. The number of casualties on the German side is not known, but probably ran into the hundreds.  With 320 houses destroyed and 4,000 damaged and 80 bridges destroyed, Friesland was materially the least damaged province in the Netherlands. 

Liberation Route Europe is a transnational memorial. A route that connects memorial sites and stories from all over Europe. For more information, visit www.liberationroute.com

Sights on this route

49

Starting point:

Waypoint walk 49
Wolvega
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Wolvega (Wolvegea)

Wolvega staat bekend om zijn paardendrafbaan. Het Victoriapark is één van de laatste vier overgebleven drafbanen van Nederland.

Bezoek Wolvega

Wolvega (Wolvegea) Drafbaan Wolvega

Sacrifice for freedom

In Wolvega's general cemetery, Allied honorary graves remind residents of the seven fallen crew members of the Lancaster JB 545 that crashed in the fields on the Sas (below Sonnega) on 16 December 1943.

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Sacrifice for freedom
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The battle for the Tjonger bridge in Mildam

In the afternoon of 12 April, rumours had reached Mildam that Englishmen or perhaps Canadians had been sighted at Peperga. The Canadian vanguards had entered Friesland.

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The battle for the Tjonger bridge in Mildam
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Heerenveen

Heerenveen is the most sports-oriented and largest village in Friesland!

Visit Heerenveen

Heerenveen

'Moordhol' Crackstate, het einde van de terreur

"Die morgen duurde langer dan ooit. Ik deed niets anders dan voor het raam staan te praten. Beneden in het park zei een man tegen mij dat de Canadezen in Bontebok waren." Verzetsman Jan Tuut zit op de ochtend van de bevrijding van Heerenveen nog gev...

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'Moordhol' Crackstate, het einde van de terreur
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Akkrum

Akkrum is a charming watersports village in the heart of the Frisian lake district, near the National Park De Alde Feanen.

Visit Akkrum

Akkrum
19

End point:

Waypoint walk 19
Akkrum
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Directions

49

Starting point:

Waypoint walk 49
Wolvega
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The story of the Liberation of Western Europe is a book with many chapters, with some starting before the beginning of the war in 1939 and some others often ending years after the end of the conflict in 1945. Through the Liberation route Europe, you learn more about the storylines, key military events, personal stories and biographies from the second world war in Europe. Check out www.liberationroute.com for more routes, fragments and stories.

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End point:

Waypoint walk 19
Akkrum
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