Memorial Executions 8 May 1945 Ridderkerk

Monument in memory of probably the last executions by the Germans on 8 May 1945, three days after the liberation of the Netherlands.

When girlfriends of enemy soldiers were arrested, fighting broke out between German soldiers and members of the Interior Forces (BS). In Ridderkerk this also took place at the practice of doctor Berger aan de Donckselaan. Some BS'ers had just arrived at Dr. Berger's house on a requisitioned truck. On the truck were a number of women who had been arrested because they had an affair with German soldiers during the war. There was also a 20-year-old boy on the truck who was accidentally injured by a ricochet bullet.

While the truck arrived at Dr. Berger's practice, a car with a German officer and his Dutch girlfriend was just leaving. The BS men wanted to arrest this Dutch woman, but during the struggle that ensued, the German officer warned the more than 150 armed German soldiers who were still staying on the adjacent estate behind Huys ten Donck. This led to a firefight between the BS and the rushed German soldiers in and around Dr. Berger's home. During the firefight, several passers-by flee into the house.

After some time the firefight ended and the BS men had fled or were so wounded that they could not continue fighting. The Germans entered Dr. Berger's house and took out seven men who were placed in front of the garage door. The men were shot at close range by the Germans without trial. Two men (Wim Kramer and Gert van Driel) survived because they were not fatally injured and pretended to be dead. The other five men were killed instantly. Moments later, a passing man was taken off the street, also put in front of the garage and shot. None of these men belonged to the BS or had taken part in the fight. In Dr. Berger's house was another wounded member of the BS who was shot dead. At the end of the Donckselaan, a young woman who was walking there was fatally injured.

The names of the victims are listed on the memorial.
Antonia Arts (1921), lived in Rotterdam and was killed as a passerby by a shot, whether aimed or not, from a German rifle.
Hendrik van den Berg (1921) spectator from Bolnes, was later put against the garage door and also shot.
Cornelis Berger (1903) was a doctor in Ridderkerk and resident of the house that was shot at.
Hermanus Groeneweg (1907), was on his way home by bicycle and fled into Dr. Berger's house during the fighting.
Rokus de Groot (1903), supervisor of his wounded son.
Willem Leendert de Groot (1925), accidentally injured his leg and therefore arrived for treatment at the house of doctor Berger.
Dirk Hobbel (1922), BS'er, was wounded during the fight and was shot dead by a German after the fight in Dr. Berger's house.
Lucas Stolk (1902), driver and owner of the lorry requisitioned by the BS.

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

Source

• Text: David Izelaar
• Photos: Arjanroelie
• Ridderkerk en de Tweede Wereldoorlog