Resistance Memorial Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen

The resistance monument in Kollumerpomp was erected in memory of four members of the Dutch Interior Forces who died in the battle against the occupying forces:

Gerrit Bleeker, Heine de Bruin, Jacob de Graaf and Pieter Postma.

In the night of 13 to 14 April 1945, the fighters of the Dutch Interior Forces (NBS) in the municipality of Kollumerland took possession of the locks at Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen with the task of securing them. About a kilometer south of the locks, four groups of the NBS occupied the three-way bridge. They held out for over 36 hours. As part of this action, a bus belonging to the occupying forces, which was trying to escape to the west, was attacked on the Soensterdijk. A fierce battle ensued, in which Pieter Postma was fatally hit.

When on Sunday, April 15, an SS man came riding up on a motorcycle on the Soensterdijk from the direction of Kollumerpomp, he raised his hands as a sign of surrender when confronted by the NBS men. Disarming the SS man took quite some time. Suddenly a truck showed up with heavily armed soldiers. A firefight ensued, in which Gerrit Bleeker and Jacob de Graaf were killed.

On Monday, April 16, 1945, the relief team was on its way to the resistance group on Soensterdijk, when two cars drove up from the direction of Kollumerpomp. The surveillance of the Soensterdijk post assumed that they were Canadians, which turned out to be a fatal mistake. It was the occupier. Commander Heine de Bruin was fatally hit.

Gerrit Bleeker was born on February 20, 1909 in Leeuwarden. The junior civil-law notary in Kollum was buried in the General Cemetery in Kollum. A street in this village is named after him.

Jacob de Graaf was born on November 5, 1902 in Kollum. The farmer was buried in the General Cemetery in Kollum. A street in Kollumerpomp is named after him.

Heine de Bruijn was born on March 2, 1920 in Oudwoude. The cattle farmer was buried at the N.H. cemetery in Oudwoude. A street in this village is named after him.

Pieter Postma was born on April 2, 1913 in Buitenpost. The house painter was buried at the N.H. cemetery in Kollumerzwaag. A street in this village is named after him.

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

Source

• Text: Bert Deelman
• Photos: Bert Deelman
• Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei
• Oorlogsgraven Kollum