War Memorial Rademakersbroek

A war memorial at an unexpected location. On March 2nd 1945, the German occupier executed 46 political prisoners here by a firing squad. They came from all over the country and were kept in the "Kruisberg" prison in Doetinchem. This brute action was a revenge for the liquidation of four German soldiers by a resistance group, which operated from "de Bark" farmhouse on the border between Dinxperlo and Aalten.

The 46 bodies of the victims were buried on the day of the fusillade at the General Cemetery at Varsseveld. Later four of them were reburied at the Ereveld in Loenen, one at the cemetery at Varsseveld and the others in their own hometowns. On the war memorial at the prinses Irenestraat at Varsseveld all their names are mentioned.

On the spot of the liquidation the corn grew higher than elsewhere in the field that year. This corn was harvested separately and is kept in the bell-glass.

Every year on March 2nd at 12:00 hrs, a solemn commemoration is held at this special location at the Rademakersbroek. For more information the town hall can be contacted.

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