Liberation Route Marker 649: Sondel

RADAR STATION EISBÄR
During the Second World War, Friesland was known as a peaceful province and a haven for people in hiding. But even here there was violence, resistance, betrayal, persecution, executions and destruction. Between 1940 and 1945, Friesland was an important flight path for bombers heading for Germany. The radar stations “Eisbär” in Sondel, “Tiger” on Terschelling and “Schlei” on Schiemonnikoog, together with the Leeuwarden air base, formed an important element in the extensive Kammhuber defence line. Effective detection and rapid action by night fighters and anti-aircraft guns resulted in many casualties among Allied aircraft.

Liberation Route Europe is a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. With hundreds of sites and stories in nine European countries, the route links the main regions along the advance of the Allied Forces in 1943-1945.
The entire route consists of themed routes that can be travelled by by hiking, walking, cycling and car. These routes pass numerous historical and interesting sites and tell stories from a multitude of perspectives that were important in the final phase of World War II.
Many routes feature listening spots, offering the opportunity to listen to a historical story at a location. In addition, many ‘Vectors of Memory’ have been placed, indicating that the passer-by is on one of the Liberation Routes.
The routes can be found on the Liberation Route Europe website or in the app through which many stories can also be listened to.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Arie van Wijngaarden