Command Post 2nd Company, 3rd Battalion, 44th Infantry Regiment " 'T Spijker"

This farm, called 't Spijker, housed the command post of the 2nd Company, 3rd Battalion, 44th Infantry Regiment during the May days of 1940. This unit was commanded by Captain P.H. Zuurendonk.

The company marched from Tiel towards Echteld around 1:00 a.m. on May 10, 1940. Around 3:00 a.m., they arrived at the 't Spijker and Dijkzicht farms on the Waalbandijk in Echteld. These were the unit's strongpoints.

A new house was built in 2022 on the former site of the Dijkzicht farm, Waalbandijk 4.

On May 10, 1940, around 9:00 p.m., the company left its positions near Echteld and marched towards the brick kiln southwest of Ochten. There they took up new positions and built fortifications. They also set up a lookout post in the brick kiln's chimney. The former brick kiln stood where the IJzendoorn overnight harbor is now located.

On May 13, 1940, at approximately 9:30 PM, the company received orders to withdraw towards Everdingen. They arrived there around 10:00 AM on May 14, 1940.

A small group of soldiers from the 4th Section, led by Ensign Grooters, remained in the positions near the brick kiln until approximately 12:30 AM on May 14, 1940, to cover the retreat.

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Source

• Photos: TracesofWar