Conscript private Lambertus Pennings.
Conscript private Lambertus Pennings was part of 3-III-14 Regiment Artillery. The unit’s positions were located near the Zeedijk. When German paratroopers landed on May 10th, it was right in between the positions of III-14 R.A. A few guard posts near the artillery pieces were quickly overwhelmed, and the pieces were captured by the paratroopers. Meanwhile, the staff of III-14 R.A. had gathered at the command post in the school near the cemetery on the Zuidendijk. It was decided to launch a counter-attack and recapture the pieces. A battle quickly ensued near the intersection of the Schenkeldijk and Zeedijk. After attempting several actions at this intersection with significant losses among the Dutch officers, a withdrawal was made to the Zuidendijk.
From the Zuidendijk, Captain Mulder led a few soldiers from the third battery towards Wielwijk, heading towards the railway embankment. The goal was to reach and recapture the unit’s positions via the west, alongside the railway tracks. However, a group of paratroopers had entrenched themselves near the railway embankment, resulting in another firefight. The paratroopers allowed the Dutch soldiers to approach at close range before opening fire. Several soldiers were wounded and incapacitated by gunshot wounds. Private Pennings was fatally hit and killed during this firefight. Although the Germans were driven out of the house from where they opened fire, the group of Dutch soldiers retreated back to the Zuidendijk1. Private Pennings died on May 10th at the age of 21. He is buried at the Military Cemetery de Grebbeberg2.
