Cannon at café Pul

The Dutch PAG (Anti-tank gun) at the Spui-bridge near the Elfhuizen in front of the café. On May 13, 1940, German tanks entered the city center of Dordrecht.

In response, Dutch units in the city retreated to the center behind the bridges over the water, which were intended to form a barrier against the German tanks. The Dutch soldiers defending the Spui-bridge with this gun received instructions from an aide of Lieutenant-Colonel Mussert not to fire on the tanks, as there was a belief on the Dutch side that these were French tanks.

Before the first German tank approached the bridge, two pontonniers (Ensign F. Kouwenhoven and Sergeant M. van der Houten) saw an opportunity to open the bridge. There was confusion among the PAG gun crew. To fire or not to fire? According to Sergeant P. Hordijk, the tank had an orange cloth on the hood, and when Lieutenant Davidson, who was also present, waved a red and white Dutch flag, initially, fire was withheld from both sides. The tank commander waved from the turret, and the vehicle continued until reaching the Spui-bridge. It suddenly started firing wildly. In response, the PAG fired on the German tank, hitting its mark. Shortly after, another tank arrived and positioned itself behind the disabled first tank, opening fire. A duel between the PAG gun and the second tank ensued, resulting in the PAG gun suffering a hit. Sergeant Hordijk was seriously injured in the process, as well as Soldier B. Dik, who had his foot trapped under the PAG gun when it was toppled over by enemy fire. Due to the raised bridge, the tank could not penetrate into the city center and returned to the trainstation.