Walking in the Achterhoek A long-distance trail runs through the Achterhoek, connecting to the international route. This trail starts at the German border, passing through ’s-Heerenberg on its way to Vorden. There, the route splits towards Gorssel (with a connection to Zwolle) and Holten (with a connection to Groningen). In addition to this trail, there is a regional trail — a circular walk through the Achterhoek — as well as several themed walks. The Second World War left indelible traces in the Achterhoek. Each trace tells its own story — sometimes big, sometimes small. The leading roles belong to the victims and heroes of that time. Along various impressive routes, you will get to know the people and their stories.

The Netherlands

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Five long years 

It was initiated in 1999 by a group of people who organised a peace conference on five continents simultaneously, regardless of origin, race, religion or group. On 31 July of the same year, seven flames from five continents were brought together in Bangor, North Wales, where they were united into an eighth flame: the World Peace Flame. The wish was expressed that from then on, every citizen of the world would take the initiative to erect a peace flame in his or her hometown.

World Peace Flame

After this all-time low, the synagogue dating from 1882 was sold and pulled down. Part of the Torah scrolls were burnt by the Germans. The remaining scrolls were transported to Israel after the war or divided among the Jewish congregations in the Netherlands. In 1965, the Jewish graveyard is also discontinued. The tombstones are moved&nbsp; to Zutphen in a respectful way.&nbsp;Monument The ‘Jewish Monument’ is a brick memorial wall in which a Star of David and a shofar – a ram’s horn used in Jewish worship – are embedded.Levenslicht In front of the memorial wall are several commemorative stones from the Levenslicht monument, which was commissioned by the National Committee for 4 and 5 May in 2020 to commemorate the Holocaust. The installation consists of a total of 104,000 fluorescent stones – representing the number of Dutch victims of Jewish, Sinti, and Roma origin who were murdered by the Nazis. After the national unveiling, each municipality received a portion of the luminous monument, so that together they form one national symbol. The stones refer to the Jewish tradition of placing stones on a grave instead of flowers.

Here was the synagogue

Some passed the time by building a shelter for 22 people beneath the vaulted cellar. The hiding place could be accessed through a slab behind the fireplace as well as via the chicken coop outside. It was clever – but ultimately, it went wrong. All those in hiding were captured and deported to German concentration camps. Afterwards, the house was used as a boarding school and later as an emergency hospital for evacuees. And after the war... it became the party venue for one of the nurses who married a Canadian soldier.

Landhuis ’t Kervel

Relieved that they have crossed the Dutch border, they are looking for the best possible place to land. The plane is landed successfully in the meadow behind the Rustenburg. The crew disperse quickly. Unfortunately, the Germans capture six of them within 24 hours. Only navigator Richard Pape and flight engineer Jock Moir manage to escape and are captured much later. And the bomber? The Germans were only too happy to confiscate it.

September 1941

Embedded in the pedestal is a lead tube containing a parchment with the names of 56 victims from Hengelo, including 32 Jewish individuals. Unfortunately, the list was compiled with some carelessness. Several of those named were neither living in Hengelo at the time of their death nor did they die there.

Memorial Monument

He quickly let the man in and offered him something to eat and drink. The airman accepted gratefully, but conversation was difficult: Arendsen did not speak English. Despite the language barrier, Arendsen understood that the Englishman wanted to return to his homeland. He showed him on a map how far it was to the North Sea coast. The airman realised just how daunting the journey would be. His courage failed him… and he surrendered to the Germans.

September 1941 – Too far from home

Thanks to Agterkamp’s contacts, the airmen were able to leave a few days later by train, travelling via Zutphen to Amsterdam. In Leiden, however, the airmen were arrested and taken into custody. Due to a betrayal within the resistance group, both Besselink and Agterkamp were also arrested and taken to the Oranjehotel prison. They were sentenced to death and executed by firing squad in the dunes near Bloemendaal on 17 November 1941.&nbsp;About the execution Martin Schouten, a cousin of Jan Agterkamp, wrote in de Volkskrant on 20 November 1996: ‘My mother once told me about a minister who had visited them on the day of the execution. According to the minister, Uncle Jan was in high spirits, truly prepared to die. But then news arrived that the execution had been postponed, and he was completely disappointed. A week later, the day came again, and the execution was carried out, but by then, he was no longer so cheerful...’

September – November 1941 – Betrayal within the resistance group

She screams, alerting nearby German soldiers who are searching for the missing crew members.Pape and Moir flee and take cover in some nearby bushes. Although the Germans search the undergrowth with bayonets, the two airmen remain undetected. A few hours later, clog maker Branderhorst happens to pass by. He helps them and points them in the right direction.

September 1941 (Story 2 of 4) – A thrilling moment

Seven armed men from different resistance groups attempted to steal ration cards from a safe inside. Second Lieutenant Sminia, the local commander of the Marechaussee, was alerted and managed to foil the raid. A firefight broke out, and the raiders were forced to flee without the ration cards.

May 1944 – Raid on the town hall

After the failed Battle of Arnhem, the Germans required reinforcements to be built and trenches and tank traps to be dug. All Dutch men between the ages of 17 and 45 were called up for this labour. Unsurprisingly, few were eager to carry out this dangerous and exhausting work for the occupying forces. So-called exemption letters, which granted legal release from this duty, were rare but highly sought after.

Organisation Todt

It was a target-tracking radar, i.e. the antenna does not rotate but once a target is detected,&nbsp; it follows it continuously. In this way enemy bombers were followed, so that their own fighters could eliminate them. The range was approximately 30 km. The vulnerable connecting equipment was probably put up in the rest of the little shed on the right.