Air war over Friesland
During the Second World War there was relatively little fighting on Frisian territory. But in the Frisian airspace there were almost daily air battles between German and allied aircraft. About 400 Allied planes were shot down in the five years of the war.
Because the German cities of Emden, Wilhelmshaven, Bremen and Hamburg were regularly the target of Allied bombers, there was a lot of air traffic over the province of Friesland. In July 1941, the first English bomber on the mainland of Friesland crashed near Mantgum, killing six crew members.
More than four hundred Allied aircraft were lost over…
During the Second World War there was relatively little fighting on Frisian territory. But in the Frisian airspace there were almost daily air battles between German and allied aircraft. About 400 Allied planes were shot down in the five years of the war.
Because the German cities of Emden, Wilhelmshaven, Bremen and Hamburg were regularly the target of Allied bombers, there was a lot of air traffic over the province of Friesland. In July 1941, the first English bomber on the mainland of Friesland crashed near Mantgum, killing six crew members.
More than four hundred Allied aircraft were lost over Friesland and the surrounding waters during the Second World War. In the early years of the war, the fighting mainly took place at night, because the Royal Air Force bombed in the night. When the Americans entered the air battle in 1943, fierce dogfights were also conducted over the province in daylight. Sometimes several planes crashed in one day.
The many air battles over the province of Friesland were mostly related to the presence of Fliegerhorst Leeuwarden. For the Germans, this was the base for the day and night fighters that guarded the coast, escorted convoys and shot down Allied aircraft.
During this cycling route you will visit the crash sites of Allied bombers and you will read more about the resistance group Gaastmeer that sheltered the crew of a Halifax bomber.
Have fun cycling!
Sights on this route
Resistance Memorial 1940 – 1945
Resistance Memorial 1940 – 1945 8711 LD Workum
Crash location Lancaster W4888
Crash location Lancaster W4888 8711 HH Workum
Pilots go into hiding in It Heidenskip
Pilots go into hiding in It Heidenskip Ursuladijk 288724 HR It Heidenskip
Information panel Boer Kuiper
Information panel Boer Kuiper It Heidenskip
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Ferries-Cycling tour Langwarder Wiele
Ferries-Cycling tour Langwarder Wiele![Boot vaart op de Langweerder Wielen op een herfstdag]( "© Thomasvaer")
12.0 kmLangweerRecreational, E-bike
Recreational
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Eetbaar Fryslân: rondje Wommels - Kubaard
Eetbaar Fryslân: rondje Wommels - Kubaard![Geertje bij mevrouw de Molenaar]( "© Kees Muizelaar")
64.0 kmDronrypRecreational, E-bike
Recreational
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Greidhoeke | augmented reality route
Greidhoeke | augmented reality route![]()
52.8 kmWommelsRecreational, E-bike
Recreational
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Fietsen à la carte - La Douce in Waterland
Fietsen à la carte - La Douce in Waterland![]( "© Jan Tijsma Waterland van Friesland")
43.0 kmOudemirdumRecreational, E-bike
Recreational
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Section 2: Stavoren - Harlingen | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route
Section 2: Stavoren - Harlingen | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route![Elfsteden fietstocht KNRM reddingshuisje Hindeloopen]( "© Lydia Annema")
50.0 kmStavorenRecreational, E-bike
Recreational
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Section 4: Dokkum - Sneek | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route
Section 4: Dokkum - Sneek | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route![Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk Elfstedentocht met de fiets]( "© Lydia Annema")
50.0 kmDokkumRecreational, E-bike
Recreational
