On May 12, 1940, German troops entered the province of Friesland from Groningen and Frederiksoord-Noordwolde. The Wonsstelling, consisting of simple field fortifications of wood and earth, was quickly overrun and in the evening the whole province of Friesland was captured by the Germans.
The next day, the Germans launched fierce attacks on the Casemates at Kornwerderzand, which were to protect the Frisian "ramp" of the Afsluitdijk, which consisted of a defense system of roadblocks and modern casemates. The Dutch soldiers in the position repulsed a German attack in which many were wounded.
Because of this, a frightened conscript soldier call…
On May 12, 1940, German troops entered the province of Friesland from Groningen and Frederiksoord-Noordwolde. The Wonsstelling, consisting of simple field fortifications of wood and earth, was quickly overrun and in the evening the whole province of Friesland was captured by the Germans.
The next day, the Germans launched fierce attacks on the Casemates at Kornwerderzand, which were to protect the Frisian "ramp" of the Afsluitdijk, which consisted of a defense system of roadblocks and modern casemates. The Dutch soldiers in the position repulsed a German attack in which many were wounded.
Because of this, a frightened conscript soldier called the Afsluitdijk the “Totendamm”, but Kornwerderzand held out and held on. On May 14, 1945, Rotterdam was heavily bombed and the enemy threatened that several large cities in the west and center of the country would suffer the same fate. The Dutch armed forces – at least that part that could not escape elsewhere – laid down their arms and the German occupation of the Netherlands was a fact.
During this cycle route you will pass both the Wonsstelling and the casemates at Kornwerderzand, taking you back to the May days of 1940.
Have fun!
