Huis en huisgevechten in Holwierde
After heavy house and home fighting between the Germans and Canadians in Holwierde, the Germans retreated to near the bridge over the Heekt. The bridge was blown up by the Germans at 6am on Tuesday 25 April.
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Following fierce house-to-house fighting between the Germans and Canadians in Holwierde, the Germans withdrew to the vicinity of the bridge over the Heekt. The bridge was blown up by the Germans at 6 o’clock on Tuesday 25 April. As a result, half the village was in liberated territory, whilst the other half remained under occupation. As a result, the front line ran right through the village. The Germans shelled the liberated part of the village with everything they had. Shells rained down everywhere, and not a single house was left unscathed. In the end, the eastern part of Holwierde had to wait another five days for its freedom. About a hundred metres before the bridge over the ‘Grote Heekt’ stand two memorials in memory of the civilians and Canadian soldiers who lost their lives during the fighting.