Liberation Route Marker 003: Josephine Baker performs!

Netherlands, the Gelderland Overasselt

Liberation Route Marker 003: Josephine Baker performs! #2

Josephine Baker performs!
The world-famous dancer, singer and actress Josephine Baker performed here at Café van Lin in Overasselt on 4 and 5 December 1944. The Van Lin family didn’t know who she was at first, but when they saw the Allied soldiers’ enthusiasm they soon realised that she was a superstar. Mother (Moetje) of Lin didn't like it “She half naked, on our stage” she spoke worryingly.

Accompanied by an 8-piece orchestra, Josephine Baker gave a thunderous show with many dress-up performances. That this “Black Pearl” worked for the French Resistance, hardly anyone knew at the time. For this she was later awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Commemorative Medal of the Volunteers of Free France and the Resistance Medal. She was also awarded the Knight's Cross of the Legion of Honor.

The care of the soldiers was taken seriously on both the Allied and German sides. Between battles, soldiers sometimes had to wait a long time before being deployed. The fear of being wounded or killed was constantly prese

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