The Outposts Grebbelinie 1939-1940

It was the task of the German 227 Division to breach the Dutch main line of resistance, called the Grebbelinie, near Amersfoort on 10 May 1940. Because the Dutch bridges across the river IJssel were demolished as planned, all the German units had to use the only available bridge at Zutphen. As a result of the enormous traffic jam the Germans made little progress. In the afternoon German reconnaissance units had only reached Barneveld and there they were faced with heavy Dutch resistance at Asschat and Musschendorp. Therefore the German commanders decided to cancel the attack on Amersfoort and to attack near Scherpenzeel instead.

With the most powerful German attack on Dutch soil the Germans planned to breach the Grebbelinie. The complete German 227e Division was deployed against Scherpenzeel. The Dutch defense was formed by only 3,5 battalions of which 3 companies were deployed in the outposts. The Dutch defenders in the outposts fought bravely but at last the German units took Scherpenzeel at great cost. From that moment on they came in contact with the frontline of the Grebbelinie. The Dutch defense in the frontline was well organized and the communication was good. The Dutch infantry made the Germans dug and then the Dutch artillery opened fire. All German attacks against the frontline at Scherpenzeel were halted and in the other areas the Germans were not able to breach the outposts.

In the afternoon of 13 May 1940 the German commanders decided to regroup. The most powerful German attack on the Grebbelinie had failed. Two companies in the frontline at Scherpenzeel and two companies in the outposts at Renswoude had halted an attack by the fully deployed German 227 Division.

The monument is fomed by a piece of metal that was used as a roadblock by the Dutch units in the ouposts.

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Source

• Text: Barry van Veen
• Photos: Arjan Vrieze

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