Sandbags on the Vrieseplein

Today is May 10, marking 85 years since the German invasion of our country. The photo shows barricades at Vrieseplein, shortly after May 1940. In this sector, heavy fighting occurred on May 13, 1940, when German tanks attempted to break through to the citycenter of Dordrecht. At Vriesebrug, they managed to break through the Dutch defenses, which consisted of a 7-Veld artillery piece led by Sergeant of Artillery Otto Kruithof and an anti-tank gun (PAG) from the Bicycle Troops. It was only at Bagijnhof that the German tanks were stopped by the courageous resistance of Ensign Dekker.

These barricades, made of paving stones and sandbags, were erected by Dutch soldiers. An anti-tank gun (PAG) was also positioned here.