Sergeant Cornelis Johannes Elst
Sergeant Elst was part of the 4th company of the 3rd Grens Bataljon (4-3.GB) ( Border Batalion ). The unit was tasked with capturing the pumping station between Tweede Tol and Wieldrecht on the morning of May 12, 1940. The pumping station, along with its lock, could then be demolished to flood the west side of the island of Dordrecht, which would provide a tactical advantage for the Dutch defense of Dordrecht according to the Staf Kil. The pumping station, which was closer to Tweede Tol and the German positions than to Wieldrecht and the Dutch positions, was fiercely defended by the Germans. Adjacent to the pumping station was a farmhouse estimated by Reserve 1st Lieutenant Gouverneur to be defended by approximately eight Germans. The Dutch soldiers attempted to drive the Germans out of the farmhouse with hand grenades, but were unsuccessful, resulting in casualties on the Dutch side. When the hand grenades were depleted and most of the ammunition had been fired, the section retreated, during which Sergeant Elst was struck in the forearm and abdomen. He passed away shortly after sustaining his injuries1.
Officially, Sergeant Elst is buried at the Military Cemetery Grebbeberg. However, the website Zuidfront-Holland1940 makes an interesting mention that it is not Sergeant Elst buried in this grave, but Corporal Bunder. According to this information, Sergeant Elst is believed to be buried in an unknown grave in Dordrecht2.
