TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Gankema, Berend

Date of birth:
August 11th, 1920 (Appingedam, the Netherlands)
Date of death:
May 12th, 1940 (Valkenburg/Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands)
Buried on:
Dutch War Graves Zuiderbegraafplaats
Plot: 4. Row: 49. Grave: 28.
Nationality:
Dutch

Biography

Berend Gankema, a conscript, was a member of 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Regiment Infantry. On May 12, 1940, during the fighting for air base Valkenburg, two companies of the 9th Regiment are ordered to recapture the base from the Germans. One company attacks from Katwijk a/d Rijn and another via pastures west of Valkenburg. During the ensuing battles, Berend Gankema was killed during the fourth attack on the base.
He was initially buried in Valkenburg on May 15, but on June 19, 1940, he was reburied on the Zuiderbegraafplaats in Groningen.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Sources

Photo