(Winterswijk, 1916 and Aalten, 1920)

Members of 1st Company DNB

Comrades in the citizens’ army

The Second World War brought many people together in the resistance against the German occupier; some remained friends for life, even after the battle was won. Bernard Fukkink and Jo Lensink were such comrades, both fearless in their commitment to the freedom of the Netherlands.

Bernard Fukkink, born in 1916 in Winterswijk, joined the resistance early in the war. He transported weapons for resistance groups, utilised his local knowledge, was involved in various dangerous operations, and provided weapons instruction. He refused the Arbeitseinsatz (forced labour) and went into hiding with Willem Houwers. Following the liberation, he joined the Dutch National Battalion (DNB) and fought to help liberate the rest of the Netherlands.

Jo Lensink, born in 1920 in Lintelo, participated in the resistance just like Bernard and joined the DNB after the liberation. He kept a detailed diary of their experiences, which later proved to be a valuable source for historians.

Both men played a significant role in the resistance and during the liberation. After the war, they returned to a quiet life. Their friendship remained an enduring symbol of their shared struggle. Bernard and Jo were more than just resistance fighters; they were comrades who worked together through thick and thin and supported each other in times of great danger.

Their friendship serves as a reminder of the power of solidarity and the unconditional commitment to freedom, even in the darkest of times.

Bernard Fukkink

Jo Lensink