Documentary: Dordrecht during the war - May 1940

In the series "Dordrecht in the war - May 1940," we take you to the battleground of May 1940 on the island of Dordrecht. What happened when the Germans invaded on May 10, 1940? How did the various units of the Dutch army stationed on the island of Dordrecht respond, and where were the battles fought? We will show you through original footage and authentic artifacts from that time, at the locations where it all happened. We bring the war museum to you. In the series: "Dordrecht in the war - the May days of 1940." ( Dutch spoken ) 

The series was created by Bas Kakes, Nick van Uden, and Coen Koopmans. 

Below you will see the trailer of the series: "Dordrecht in the War - May 1940."

Not all scenes made it into the upcoming documentary. This is one of scenes filmed at the heavily contested intersection near Wieldrechtse Zeedijk and Schenkeldijk, where Nick explains a few things to Coen about field postcards. This particular field postcard is from a soldier of III-14 R.A., the unit that fought heavy battles in this area of the island of Dordrecht. If you want to learn more about what happened here in May 1940, keep an eye on this YouTube channel because soon the series "Dordrecht in the War - May 1940" will be released here.

In this excerpt, I provide Coen with an explanation about the death card of Lambertus Pennings. Conscripted private Pennings was killed on May 10, 1940, along the railway at Zuidendijk. He was part of III-14 R.A. This unit was equipped with 12 lang- staal cannons to support the Moerdijk bridgehead. The troops were stationed in Dubbeldam. You can learn more about in the documentary "Dordrecht in the War - May 1940"

The Documentary: ( Dutch spoken ) 

Episode 1: The Corps of Pontonniers and Torpedisten.
In the first episode of the series "Dordrecht in the War - May 1940," Nick and Coen meet at the old pontonnier barracks. Nick provides an explanation about the Corps of Pontonniers and Torpedisten during the mobilization period. What were the Pontonniers and Torpedisten exactly, and what was their role in May 1940 in Dordrecht? What role did they play in the Dutch army? You will see it all in the first episode of the series.

Episode 2: The Battle in Krispijn.
In the second of the series "Dordrecht in the War - May 1940," Nick and Coen meet in the Krispijn district. In the early morning of May 10, approximately 100 German paratroopers landed in the Krispijn meadows. Their objective was to capture both bridges over the Oude Maas between Dordrecht and Zwijndrecht. However, they encountered resistance from the Railway Engineer Troops and Depot Troops of the Corps of Pontonniers and Torpedisten. The unfolding of the battle will be shown in this episode.

Episode 3: The Artillery Battles.
In the third episode of the series "Dordrecht in the War - May 1940," Nick takes Coen to the Tweede Tol. In May 1940, there was a barracks camp of the 1st Department of the 17th Artillery Regiment (I-17 R.A) located here. The camp housed the military personnel of the department and the unit's supplies. The cannons of the unit were positioned in fields along the Vlaakweg. The positions of the 3rd Deparment of the 14th Artillery Regiment (III-14 R.A) were also nearby. When German paratroopers landed directly in the vicinity of the positions of both artillery units, a fierce battle ensued. In this episode, you will see how this battle unfolded.

Episode 4: The Emergency Hospital at Berkenhof.
In the fourth episode of the series "Dordrecht in the War - May 1940," Nick and Coen visit Berkenhof. This farmhouse, now a bed and breakfast, was converted into an emergency hospital in May 1940, where wounded soldiers were treated. Nick provides an explanation about the German Sanitäter troops who were part of the paratroopers. He also discusses the armament and equipment of the German paratrooper in May 1940.

Episode 5: The Bunker Park at Amstelwijck.
In the fifth episode of the series "Dordrecht in the War - MAy 1940," Nick and Coen meet at Amstelwijck. This was the location of the command post of the 1st Battalion of the 28th Infantry Regiment (I-28 R.I.) in May 1940. The location of the command post, along with the associated bunkers, remained unknown to the Germans until then. When the German paratroopers came under fire from the Bunker Park, a battle broke out between the Dutch defenders and the German paratroopers. You will witness how this battle unfolds in this episode.

Episode 6: The Willemsdorp Cover Detachment.
In the final episode of the series "Dordrecht in the War - May 1940," Nick and Coen are in Willemsdorp. This small hamlet located south of Dordrecht housed hundreds of Dutch soldiers in May 1940. When German paratroopers landed in the immediate vicinity of the hamlet on May 10, fierce battles took place. Nick takes Coen to various important locations in Willemsdorp and provides explanations about the events that occurred there.

 


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