The Ten of Renesse - Renesse

In the autumn of 1944, much of Zeeland was liberated, but Schouwen-Duiveland was left behind. The German occupying forces had largely flooded the island to stop Allies from entering, forcing most residents, except those from the Westhoek, to leave. In December 1944, it was ordered that all men between the ages of 17 and 40 had to go to Germany for forced labour. Resistance fighters thereupon hid Renesse's population register to prevent this, to the anger of the Germans.

The resistance fighters tried to flee to liberated Noord-Beveland, helped by English allies. The first attempt on 6 December failed. On 7 December, during a second attempt, a German patrol came very close to their hideout. One of the resistance fighters shot a German soldier, whereupon a gunfight ensued. Six men managed to escape, 10 men could not get away and were captured by the German patrol. They were transferred to Goeree-Overflakkee, where they gave nothing away despite torture.

On 10 December 1944, the ten men were sentenced to death by hanging, a punishment that had never before been carried out in the Netherlands. Reverend H.C. Voorneveld was allowed to give them brief spiritual assistance. The execution took place at Slot Moermond, after which the bodies were left hanging for 48 hours as a deterrent. The seriously injured municipal secretary Lazonder, one of the prisoners who could not be transported to Goeree-Overflakkee because of his injuries, had to watch from a stretcher. He died that night and was hanged alongside his companions.

The Germans threatened to hang more civilians if the six fugitives did not report within 48 hours. Four of them surrendered and survived the war, as did the two who remained in hiding. The bodies of the ten men were eventually buried in a communal grave in Renesse. A grave monument has been erected at that spot on Oude Moolweg.

The spot where you are standing now is the memorial stone where the gruesome execution took place. A documentary about The Ten of Renesse was made in 2016.

Photo: ©Zeeuws Archief