Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/90

Contributor - John van Duran

Title - "Remembrance Day Flashbacks"

Topic - World War 2

During World War 11, I was too young to serve in the armed forces, to be drawn into forced labour, and even to carry an ausweis or identity card. But I was old enough to know what went on in our community and throughout the country, and beyond.

In 1940, Germany was on the rise. Victorious armies overran one country after the other with no end in sight. Right behind those armies the Gestapo came to eliminate any person on their blacklist as a fierce opponent of Nazism. Other persons were killed because their only crime was being born as a member of a so-called "inferior race.

Very soon and throughout Europe, the flames of resistance were kindled by conscientious people of different walks of life. This was the beginning of a backfire with the motto: "Love thy neighbour as thyself' as their great command.

By late 1944 and 1945 the Third Reich was heading to its defeat and destruction, thanks to the combined efforts of the Allies. Their planes were scanning the highways and waterways for vehicles and vessels which could be in service of the enemy.

We had a close call with death on a Sunday morning in February of 1945. Some Allied planes spotted a barge loaded with potatoes, laying in front of our neighbour's house. The barge and the neighbour's house were riddled by bullets. Miraculously no one was killed or even wounded. The barge was unloaded and towed away.

It was early April when the liberation of Overijsel began. On the tenth of April Canadians entered Nieuwieusen, followed by fierce fighting in the western part of the township and along the railroad section from Meppel to ZwolIe.

On April the twelfth, we were told to stand by for an evacuation because the Germans had pushed to a few kilometres from our neighbourhood. This move was quickly repulsed. On the next day we were declared a liberated area. Flags were hanging out for the first time since 1940. Ten days later, my father went back to work as a railroad employee after being on strike for seven months.

On Remembrance Day, all over Canada, we must not and will not forget those men and women who gave their lives so that Europe could restore its democratic rule and return freedom to its people.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.