Bodies Amstelwijck

Graphic photos of fallen Dutch soldiers in the casemate park near Amstelwijck in Wieldrecht. At Amstelwijck, the headquarters of I-28 R.I. under the command of Major van Hoek was located. Adjacent to the villa was a small park where four Dutch bunkers were built. On the morning of May 10, 1940, the majority of Dutch soldiers were in the casemate park when they were overwhelmed by an attack by German paratroopers. The number of casualties was significant, as can be seen in these photos.

The modern photos were taken at casemate 4, which is closest to the highway. We have studied the various bunkers and based on their exterior features, we believe that the original photos were taken at this casemate. We are not entirely certain. It is also possible that the casemate in the photos is actually casemate 3, which exploded at the end of the war. The fallen soldier whose body rests against the bunker is likely Sergeant Petrus de Haan, who was shot dead when he tried to surrender but had not yet thrown away his pistol.