Memorial Stone Sergeant Paul van Oostveen

This stone commemorates Sergeant of Engineers Paul van Oostveen, who was killed defending the castle at this location on 11 May 1940.

In the early morning, German soldiers of the Second Cycling Squadron enter Gemert. Near the castle, several Dutch soldiers of the Engineers dressed in overalls stand guard. In the firefight that follows, German soldier Emil Hoffman is fatally hit. Thinking Hoffman was shot at by civilians in overalls, the Germans search the surrounding houses and gather hundreds of civilians in the square.

An hours-long firefight ensues. The Dutch troops entrench themselves mainly in the castle and the Germans in the surrounding houses. The civilians are in the middle of it. After the Germans deploy artillery, the Dutch commander decides that the situation is untenable and surrenders.

An hours-long firefight ensues. The Dutch troops entrench themselves mainly in the castle and the Germans in the surrounding houses. The civilians are in the middle of it. After the Germans deploy artillery, the Dutch commander decides that the situation is untenable and surrenders.

Three people are killed. One civilian is shot by the Germans without mercy when he does not understand an order, and another is hit by a stray Dutch bullet. Of the Dutch soldiers, Sergeant Paul van Oostveen, then aged 28, dies.

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