Dutch resistance memorial

The annual memorial for Hannie Schaft, a Dutch resistance fighter during WW2, was held Sunday 25th November . Also known as ‘the girl with the red hair’, she was a member of the armed resistance, which was exceptional for women. At the age of 24 she was executed by the Nazis, in the Kennemerdunes near Haarlem, in April 1945, just a few weeks before the end of the war. In The Netherlands nowadays many schools, streets and squares are named after her. After the war, 422 bodies of resistance members were found in these dunes and were reburied at cemeteries or the Honorary Cemetary in the dunes. Here are 347 graves now, 346 men and 1 girl, Hannie. The War memorial cemetary is visited during the tours in Haarlem and the Kennemerdunes.

A gravestone with flowers and a flag
The girl with the red hair, Hannie Schaft, was burried at the Dutch Honorary Cemetery Bloemendaal.

 

WW2 Monument in the dunes surrounded by trees and vegetation
There is a monument on all locations in the dunes where the Nazi’s executed resistance members.

 

Information sign about practice bombs in the Kenemerdunes
The sign tells you about the Nazi’s using the area to practise dropping bombs.

 

Three concrete practise bombs with people around
The Nazi’s used the dunes to practise dropping bombs and they can still be found.

 

gravestones at a Dutch Honorary Cemetery and the Dutch flag
The grandson of Vincent van Gogh’s brother Theo, was a member of the Dutch resistance during ww2.
Dutch resistance memorial