(Aalten, 1924)

Member of the 1st Company DNB

“My thoughts go home. How are father, mother, brothers, and sisters?”

Arnold Somsen was born on April 7, 1924, in Aalten and lived with his parents and siblings in Doesburg during the Second World War. To evade the Arbeitseinsatz (forced labor), he found a place with the Onnink family in Barlo, cousins on his mother’s side. While in hiding there, he came into contact with the resistance in Barlo.

It is late March 1945. The moment is almost there. The occupation cannot last much longer. The various sections of the underground are eager to take action. For months, they have been trained extensively in the use of weapons.

On 30 March, it is time; Aalten is liberated from the south! Arnold is ordered to cycle from Barlo to Aalten to scout the situation there and make contact with the liberators or the other sections of the local resistance. When he arrives in Aalten, the Tommies are already sitting on the Market Square. At his Aunt Mina’s café, he receives orders for the group from Barlo. Arnold says: “Please give me a packet of cigarettes, otherwise they won’t believe me.” Upon Arnold’s return, a group is formed that, armed with Sten guns and hand grenades, heads towards Aalten.

Home Forces and DNB

The sections of the Home Forces (BS) are merged. In the following days, the men assist in clearing farms of Germans, destroying anti-aircraft guns, and apprehending and guarding ‘collaborationist Dutch citizens’.

The Juliana School on Wilhelminastraat is requisitioned and renamed the Prince Bernhard Barracks. Aalten and the surrounding area are liberated by the British. The Canadian armies concentrate on the rest of the Netherlands above the major rivers. The Canadians have a need for infantry to support the flank protection of their own troops. The Home Forces are ready. Within two days, more than four hundred volunteers are willing to join the fight.

Thus, on April 15, 1945, the Dutch National Battalion (DNB) was established and assigned to the First Canadian Corps.

We let Arnold speak briefly: “We stay for one night in Duiven. We hear that there is heavy fighting in Doesburg. My thoughts go home. How are father, mother, brothers, and sisters? Is our house still standing? It makes me restless, and I decide to arrange a bicycle with a friend and go to Doesburg. Unfortunately, we fail to reach the city. We are sent back. Through my binoculars, a very good German pair, I see the heavily damaged high church tower standing.”

When Doesburg is liberated on 16 April 1945, the DNB moves along the east side of the IJssel towards Steenderen and Gorssel. It is ordered to guard the IJssel crossings. Further it goes. To Apeldoorn. There is fierce fighting and desperate resistance.

Arnold continues: “Then we experience something special. Our overnight stay is at Palace Het Loo. That certainly has its charm…!”

Meanwhile, it becomes late April. The liberation army has pushed through towards Harderwijk, Bunschoten, and Spakenburg. The DNB is housed in a school. Evening guard duty. The Germans are still in Eemnes, very close by.

At the time of the general capitulation on May 5, 1945, Arnold was stationed in Veenendaal. To his great surprise, his fiancée Lientje came to visit him. On an old bicycle, all the way from the Achterhoek, straight through devastated areas, over emergency bridges and past patrols, she braved everything just to be with her beloved Arnold for a moment.

After May 5, the 1st Company was deployed to guard Camp Amersfoort and monitor civilian traffic.

On July 12, 1945, the DNB officially transferred to the 1-11-8 Infantry Regiment, part of the larger Royal Netherlands Army that was being rebuilt. Arnold requested his discharge on July 26, 1945, which was honorably granted.

Arnold in conclusion: “It was a turbulent and distinctive time. The men of the DNB were cohesive and solidary. We jumped into the breach for each other and fought for the freedom of our Fatherland.” And they did fight! Arnold Somsen died on 7 July 2008 in Alphen aan den Rijn.

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