#Monument

Monument to resistance leader Albert Ferdinand Lancker

The Salland resistance organization was led by Albert Ferdinand Lancker, who organized a network in this region that carried out actions and assisted the Allied liberators. Lancker himself did not survive the war.

A key figure in the Twente–Salland resistance was Captain Albert Ferdinand Lancker (1894–1945), codename “Evert.” When Nazi Germany invaded, Lancker fought in the Dutch army; afterwards, he went into hiding and started a resistance movement. His home in Hellendoorn became the headquarters of the Council of Resistance. From there, actions were coordinated, such as hiding people in danger, arranging weapons drops, and sheltering downed pilots.

Later, the command post moved to Hoge Hexel, to the home of the Nieuwboer family. On 11 February 1945, the Sicherheitsdienst (SD) raided the house. The occupants were searched, but Lancker’s pistol went unnoticed. Lancker managed to disable two German soldiers and fled. During the chase, he was hit multiple times and finally collapsed in a field. It is believed that he fired a final shot into his own head to avoid falling alive into enemy hands.

In Hoge Hexel and Hellendoorn, two streets are named after Lancker. In 1949, a monument dedicated to him was unveiled in Hoge Hexel. The monument is situated near the National Park Sallandse Heuvelrug.

Monumentenweg, Hoge Hexel

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