Memorial Dutch Soldiers Smitshoek

The memorial stands on the square in front of the Protestant church.

On the memorial is the following text:
In memory of our mates
Han Lansdorp and Jaap Nederveen
May 10, 1940
Killed in the service of the homeland
4th battery air-artillery[/ i]

Han Lansdorp was buried on May 16 in Barendrecht.
Jaap Nederveen was buried on May 24 in Barendrecht.

The German invasion of the Netherlands, on May 10, 1940, had major implications for Smitshoek and environment. There was heavy fighting between Dutch soldiers and German paratroopers. The Germans tried to conquer Waalhaven airport. In Smitshoek was a air-battery quartered.
Although this could do little against the German aircraft. Is is said that this battery was sabotaged, but this is never entirely cleared. Nevertheless the Dutch soldiers fought valiantly against the German force majeure and the two Dutch soldiers were killed.

The monument was unveiled on May 12, 1946.
Originally it was a plaque in the facade of the Protestant school, the subsequent Zuiderrandschool.
After the demolition of this school the plaque is moved to the square of the Protestant church.

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Source

• Text: Mia van den Berg & Weekkrant Het Zuiden
• Photos: Mia van den Berg (2,3) & Dick de Bruijne (1)