Memorial Executions 22 January 1945

This plaque was unveiled on October 15, 2016.

The event which is described on the plaque is the liberation action by the pharmacist dr. P.E. Gunster. Gunster was an important figure in the Dokkum resistance. To prevent him from being interrogated by the Germans, the resistance in De Falom did a fruitful attempt of liberating him. However, with this move a German fell and the Belgian driver was so heavily injured that he passed away the next day from his injuries.

As revenge for this move a couple days later 20 political prisoners were moved from the Leeuwarden prison to Dokkum were they were shot, in a field near Dokkum. Their dead bodies were left in the snow for 24 hours to scare off the general population. On the place of the shooting there is another memorial with the names of the ones who fell.

A couple of residents of De Falom felt that after 71 years it was time for a permanent place in their town to commemorate this important piece of history.

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

Source

• Text: Nieuwe Dockumer Courant
• Photos: Dennis de Munck