Along the way, you'll discover significant locations where acts of resistance took place and where traces of the German occupation remain visible. Learn about the courageous actions of the resistance, the lives of the victims, and the lasting impact of the war on this remarkable area.

The Netherlands

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Traces of war and resistance

The Spitholter bridge in Almen turned out to be intact, which played into the Allies' hands. They constructed a bridge over the Twente Canal, and on April 6, tanks and Bren Carriers rolled into the village.Mayor Thate gave a speech on the steps of the town hall. Liberation arches were erected, and the cultural association Kunstmin performed a serenade. However, the celebration with music and dancing in front of The Roskam was postponed for a week, as the Canadian army prepared to launch an attack on the west side of the River IJssel. In the meantime, an emergency hospital was set up in Den Oldenhof.Liberation also brought chaos. The NSB mayor disappeared, the Internal Armed Forces proved to be poorly organized, telephones had to be repaired, and people in hiding were assisted. The municipal government faced the enormous task of rebuilding and restoring the infrastructure.

Liberation of Gorssel

The German cannon at De Zessprong had disappeared, but a Feldwebel (non-commissioned officer) was still moving behind a window. It was only when Frits was taken away in a Canadian jeep and pointed him out that the German surrendered, just as a tank had its barrel trained on De Zessprong. In his book Bist du ein Jude? (2020), Gies describes how he became involved in the resistance through his father, a specialist in forging documents. Wearing a fake Hitler Youth uniform, he occasionally managed to deceive the Germans. The Gies family gave shelter to many German-Jewish people in hiding in Zutphen.In 1944, five German soldiers also stayed with the family, among them Arnold Graf von Keyserlin, a great-grandson of Bismarc, who had no sympathy for Nazism. Through his Wehrmacht unit, he helped arrange bread and coal for the family. Their holiday home, located between Lochem and Warnsveld and also used as a hiding place, was later transferred to the Dutch Open Air Museum in Arnhem due to its historical significance.

De Zessprong; the Adventures of Frits Gies

This ensured the continuation of freight and passenger services, but also meant that the railways were used by the Germans to transport troops and military equipment.NS even constructed the railway line to Westerbork transit camp on behalf of the occupiers, for which the company received substantial financial compensation. Because of the railways’ importance to the German war effort, railway lines became frequent targets of sabotage by the resistance and of bombing raids by the Allies. The Zutphen–Deventer line was among those destroyed. It wasn’t until late September 1944 that the Dutch government-in-exile called on the NS to go on strike. Around 30,000 railway workers laid down their tools. The strike lasted until the liberation.

Train Traffic during the war

As one of the feared V-Männer (trusted informants and undercover agents), he was directly responsible for the arrest and, in many cases, the death, of approximately 300 resistance fighters, people in hiding, downed Allied pilots, and Jews. He was known to torture prisoners personally, and he carried out executions himself on at least two occasions. De Droog’s actions led to the dismantling of many resistance groups across the country, particularly in Gelderland. He is widely regarded as one of the most notorious traitors in the Netherlands during the Second World War.

Johnny de Droog shot dead - Joppelaan

SS commander Heinemann, infamous as “the Beast of Zutphen”, compiled a list of 20 names. Six men were executed without trial: Fr. Bennekers, A.G. Brinkman, G.W.H.J. Loman, L.H.J.J. Mazel, A. Polak, and L.W.F. van Velden. Twelve others survived their imprisonment. Some managed to escape after receiving a warning from the local priest, who had spoken out from the pulpit.Police officer Meijer, who refused to assist in the arrests, was detained and executed in Vorden that same day. A monument was unveiled in 2004 in memory of the victims. Each year, on 4 May, a memorial service is held at the cemetery in Gorssel, where the six men are buried.

Memorial Stone - Joppelaan

Boschterhoek was destroyed by a direct hit, resulting in the deaths of five German soldiers. General Schilffart was not present at the time, but following the attack he left Gorssel, accused the village of collaboration, and ordered its evacuation. Villa Ravensweerd was also severely damaged. The bombing caused widespread destruction, including the presbytery and several houses, and led to the deaths of seven residents of Gorssel, with another 20 wounded.The church was bombed as well, as the tower housed the antenna of a German radio installation. Little of the original church remained. Near the main entrance, on the rebuilt doorframe, an illustration commemorates the war. At its centre stands Lady Justice, holding the 'V' for Victory in her right hand. At the very bottom is the date 10 May 1940, marking the beginning of injustice, represented by grotesque male figures in German helmets climbing up the frame. But they reach a limit: the date 6 April 1945, signifying an inexorable halt to injustice and the triumph of justice.

Bombing on 18 March 1945 

The launch sites were well camouflaged, making them difficult for Allied aircraft to detect. One site became operational in the week before Christmas, but the weapon proved unreliable, with many V1s exploding prematurely or veering off course. Nearby villages, including Eefde, were hit by crashed V1s, resulting in fatalities. Although the V1 was regarded as a terrifying weapon, camouflage and local resistance efforts hindered the Allies from effectively preventing the launches. The V1 played a significant role in the war, but suffered from numerous technical flaws.

V1 Launch Site Joppe

First, the infantry crossed in amphibious vehicles; then a pontoon bridge was constructed. Watched by numerous Gorssel residents, a continuous column of Buffaloes carrying infantry and light artillery of the 48th Highlanders of Canada drove for days from Joppelaan via Molenweg and Veerweg to the bridge.Gorssel had already been liberated on 6 April 1945 by the 1st Canadian Army under the command of General Crerar. The spontaneous celebrations with music and dancing in the tent outside De Roskam could only take place a week later, as heavy fighting was still ongoing. The plan was to cross the IJssel near Gorssel after the liberation of Zutphen and Deventer. For this purpose, troops and equipment were assembled in the woods near Joppe. After several reconnaissance missions identified suitable landing sites, the operation began on 11 April 1945 at around 16:30. Under the cover of a dense smoke screen, 27 Buffaloes (amphibious tracked vehicles), each carrying 24 infantrymen of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, crossed the river. Within seven minutes, they had secured two bridgeheads on the opposite bank. At 17:20, Captain Frost reported that the situation was ‘snug’.Construction of the pontoon bridge could then begin from the Timber Wall and was completed by around 11 p.m. Over the following days, 15,000 troops and 1,500 vehicles crossed the river via the bridge in a continuous flow. The 106 Sherman tanks were too heavy for the bridge and had to be ferried across on special pontoons.Dommerholt Farm on Houtwal became a smouldering ruin, and many farms on the far side of the IJssel were also destroyed. Captured German soldiers were made to clear landmines along the riverbanks. Each year, a memorial service is held at the monument on 4 May. Understandably, the number of Canadian veterans attending has greatly diminished,&nbsp; today, it is mostly their descendants who come. Further along Ravensweerdweg, you will find an information board on the right-hand side about the bombing of Gorssel on 18 March 1945. (This text was produced in cooperation with Mr Roel Hendriks.)

Operation Cannonshot 

Acts of sabotage against forced labour deployment, the obstruction of German fortifications, and assistance to people in hiding were key activities. Civil servants played a vital role by refusing to cooperate with the occupying forces. For example, staff at the labour exchange and distribution services sabotaged operations by withholding lists of employed residents of Gorssel. They also provided false identity papers and ration documents to those in hiding. Administrative sabotage was further supported by circulars containing misleading instructions, intended to undermine German authority. The most significant act took place on 20 September 1944, when the municipal administration disappeared with the population register in order to thwart German plans. These courageous actions, often carried out at great personal risk, played a crucial role in resisting the occupation.

The Town Hall as a Centre of Resistance 

After Canadian infantrymen crossed the IJssel with the Buffaloes at half past four in the afternoon, Canadian engineers began constructing a pontoon bridge at six o'clock. A pontoon bridge consists of separate floating platforms (pontoons) connected to form a bridge. At eleven o'clock in the evening, the commanding officer of the engineering company, Major Charles Train Gray, gives the code word indicating that the pontoon bridge is ready for the first light vehicles. This achievement surprises everyone. Gray later receives a military decoration, the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), for his excellent leadership during the construction of the bridge over the IJssel.However, the Germans on the west bank of the IJssel have also realized that a bridge is under construction. The location is in open terrain and comes under heavy German artillery and mortar fire. Two Canadian fatalities occur.During the bridge construction, Lance Sergeant Andrew Stanley Leathwood leads a section of engineers responsible for building the nearby river approaches and the riverbank. Leathwood understands the vital importance of his task and personally oversees every detail of the work carried out by his section during the intense bombardments. His calm leadership and determination ensure that the work is completed in a very short time, and he is awarded a Military Medal for this. To enable the heavy Canadian tanks to cross the IJssel as well, engineers work all night on assembling rafts strong enough to transport tanks. The following day, on April 12, at early daylight, the first tanks cross the IJssel and report to the front line of the infantry troops on the west bank at eight o'clock in the morning.The naming of the bridge causes division among the Canadians. At the headquarters of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, the bridge has already been given a name: 'Poco Poco'. However, the engineering company constructing the bridge believes that they should choose the name because their company is doing the hard work. It is decided to name the bridge 'Can of Worms'. This would better suit the crossing point as it resembles a 'can of worms' due to the maze of infantry troops, engineers, and Buffaloes around the crossing.Despite the decision to name the bridge 'Can of Worms Bridge', it is found on April 13 that all signs display 'Poco Poco'. This irritates the men of the engineering company. Major Gray orders a sign with 'Can of Worms' to be placed at the bridge. However, the next day, the sign is removed, and the bridge is named 'Poco Poco' again. Despite the squabbling over the bridge's name, the bridge is of vital importance for the advance towards the still-occupied Apeldoorn. Thanks to the bridge builders, the liberation of occupied Western Netherlands is one step closer.