The liberation of Teuge

The liberation of Teuge is necessary to open the road to Apeldoorn. The village of Teuge, located between Twello and Apeldoorn, is defended by German soldiers from Deventer. A day earlier, slightly further east, the village of Twello was liberated thanks to a surprise attack by tanks. Before the Canadians can liberate the occupied Apeldoorn, heavy fighting ensues in Teuge and its surroundings.

The village is attacked from three sides. A Canadian regiment approaches the village from the Wilpse Achterhoek via the Bottenhoekseweg, Stationsweg, and Holthoevensestraat. Another regiment comes from Twello via the Rijksstraatweg and the estate Het Hartelaar. Canadians also come from the north via the Oude Wezeveldseweg and the Zandenallee. Each regiment is supported by Sherman tanks and anti-tank guns. The so-called 'Crocodile tank' is also utilized.

Teuge Airfield has existed since 1935 and was confiscated by the Germans during the occupation years. The airfield was intended to be used as a base for day and night fighters, but this plan was never implemented. By April 1945, the German battalion present - personnel in training - had already moved to Apeldoorn.

The battles for Teuge result in casualties on both Allied and German sides. Eighteen Canadian casualties occur during the liberation of Teuge and its surroundings. The severely wounded are transported to the emergency hospital at the farm 'De Stouwgrave' owned by the Oolman family at Leemsteeg 36 in Wilp. The Canadian dead are buried with military honors at the Canadian emergency cemetery at Rijksstraatweg 229 in Teuge, which is set up next to the farm. The fallen German soldiers are usually dumped in a foxhole and later reburied. After the liberation, Teuge airfield is used for communication and courier flights. The airfield gains fame as the royal family, Prince Bernhard and Princess Juliana, and the three princesses Beatrix, Irene, and Margriet, return to Dutch soil at this airfield in August 1945.