Conscript soldier Hubertus Cornelis van Dongen.

Conscript soldier Hubertus Cornelis van Dongen was born on December 12, 1910 in Dongen. He was part of the 1st Company of the III Battalion of the 2nd Regiment Cyclists (1-III-2 R.W.). Soldier van Dongen was taken prisoner of war, presumably when German paratroopers under the command of Hauptmann Schulz captured several Dutch officers by deceit near the Zeehavenviaduct. Among the officers were Major Ravelli (commander of the Ravelli battalion) and Captain Wijers (commander of 1-III-2.RW). Both officers wanted to prevent Dutch troops from firing upon each other, as had already happened earlier that morning, and had moved forward when they saw a truck with Dutch soldiers near the Zeehavenviaduct. They were captured when German paratroopers emerged and used the Dutch troops in and behind the truck as a ruse, capturing the two officers and several other Dutch soldiers. Conscript soldier van Dongen was interned as a prisoner of war in the school with the Bible on Admiraal de Ruyterweg. When Dutch artillery from 23 R.A. targeted the school, soldier van Dongen lost his life¹.

Conscript soldier van Dongen is buried at the Military Cemetery Grebbeberg in Row 9 - Grave 2.

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