Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Soldaat (Private)

Unit:

2-22 Grensbataljon

Awarded on:

August 16th, 1950

Soldaat van den Meerendonk was gunner of a light machniegun with a frontier battalion in Gelderland at the time of the German invasion of the Netherlands on 10th May 1940. The detachement he was with, was under the command of Sergeant Kruithof. On 10th May 1940, the detachment of 16 military was stationed on the road from 's-Heerenberg to Beek. Their dury was to close the roadblock on that road in case of an enemy invasion. When on 10th May the German troops invader the Netherlands, the group went into action when the German troops where only 150 metres away. A truck driven by Soldaat Prins and directed by Sergeant Kruithof acted as a gunplatform for the machinegun of gunner van den Meerendonk. When trying to flee, the group was discoverd by a German patrol. Shooting from all weapons they drove right through the column. Van den Meerendonk shot out of his machinegun while passing the Germans, hitting several men. Safe on two flat tires, the group managed to reach Didam. At Latums they crossed the IJssel river to freedom. As been told the action costed the enemy 25 to 30 casualties. After the war van den Meerendonk received the Bronzen Kruis for this action.

Royal Decree dated 16th August 1950.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)