A fatal miss

On the evening in question on 14 March, Allied bombers bombed the so-called supply and evacuation lines throughout the northern Netherlands and northern Germany in the backyard of the German troops. After all, if the enemy army could no longer be fed, the morale would be broken and the Allies' advance could be accelerated.  

The same was happening that night. The aircraft, which was probably on the retreat from Germany, saw an opportunistic target on the north-east side of Assen. Assen's railway yard. 

Unfortunately, right next to the railway line was a populated area and after a flare was dropped, the railway yard was bombed. The bomb unfortunately missed the railway and instead fell on the houses on Nieuwstraat. The consequence was horrendous. 

Four homes were completely destroyed and four were badly damaged. The surrounding houses also suffered damaged. But what was worse was that eight people were killed in three of the homes. Three families were severely affected. 

In the Felix family, the father and son were killed. In the Grit family, the father, mother and a 1-year-old daughter were killed and there were at least three victims from the Vrijs family, including the father, mother and a 5-year-old daughter. 

A terrible moment so close to liberation, which would occur four weeks later.