#Story

Homeless on the last day of the war

In the rural area of Witharen, between Ommen and Balkbrug, several farms were set on fire by Allied troops. Balkbrug had already been liberated, and from Ommen, a few German soldiers approached who refused to surrender. During the resulting firefight, several farms caught fire.

On Tuesday, April 10, 1945, an estimated few hundred German soldiers were still active in Ommen. Canadian officer Thomson did not want to expose his troops to unnecessary risks at this stage of the war. He therefore used as much artillery and mortar fire as possible from the south to break German resistance and minimize Canadian casualties.

Meanwhile, his superiors instructed the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade to bypass Ommen by moving in the wake of the 1st Polish Armoured Division toward Balkbrug, which had already been liberated.

During their advance, they encountered German troops retreating north between Ommen and Balkbrug early in the evening. These forces offered fierce resistance. A heavy firefight broke out, during which three farms in Witharen were hit hard and completely burned down.

Fortunately, the Van Lenthe, Bakker, and Slijkhuis families were able to find safety in time, but could do nothing but watch helplessly as they became homeless on the very last day of the war. Shocked by the fierce resistance, the Allied troops withdrew toward Balkbrug. The following morning, Wednesday, April 11, the Canadian forces succeeded in liberating both Ommen and Witharen, continuing their advance northward through Balkbrug.

De Leiding 7738 PA Witharen

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