Liberation of Groningen

On the weekend of 10 – 12 April, Groningen celebrates the 70th anniversary of the city’s liberation in World War II in a big way with large-scale battle re-enactments complete with tanks, army vehicles, and approximately 300 actors.

Paterswoldseweg will be the scene of battle on 10 April and on 12 April; the battle continues on the Vismarkt. According to Battlefield Tours, the Herman Colleniusbrug will also be a location. http://goo.gl/NjyDHN

The Groninger Internet Courant (GIC) reports that, during the liberation in 1945, 100 citizens lost their lives along with 43 Canadians and an estimated 300 German soldiers and Belgian and Dutch collaborators. Much of the city center was destroyed in the last days of the war. Among the planned events, at the Stadspark there will be a World War II camp and there will be a dance with the proceeds going to War Child. The Scheepsvaart Museum will have an exhibition about the war and liberation of Groningen.

More about the events will be posted on the Facebook page of Stichting Liberation of Groningen. Scrolling down to 3 September 2014, you will find the moving story of Canadian soldier Stanley Butterworth (mostly in English) returning to visit Paterswoldseweg 188 where his brother Fred was killed in a tank.

Notifications of events and updates will also be posted at the Battlefield Tours website: http://goo.gl/SxdelY