Stichting Oktober 44
In October 1944, Putten was the scene of the worst act of revenge committed by Germans in the Netherlands during World War II.
An attack by a resistance group turned out to prompt the occupying forces to carry out a terrible retaliatory action.
On Sunday 01 October 1944, the German Wehrmacht held a raid in much of Putten and part of Nijkerk. German patrols search the houses, drive women and children to the Oude Kerk and arrest the men. Women and children are released in the evening on condition that they return the next day with food for the men. On 2 October, the men are taken away by train to Amersfoort.
Assisted by Dutch SS, German troops set fire to about 110 buildings in the evening and night.
Only dozens of men return after liberation.
'The Woman of Pu...
In October 1944, Putten was the scene of the worst act of revenge committed by Germans in the Netherlands during World War II.
An attack by a resistance group turned out to prompt the occupying forces to carry out a terrible retaliatory action.
On Sunday 01 October 1944, the German Wehrmacht held a raid in much of Putten and part of Nijkerk. German patrols search the houses, drive women and children to the Oude Kerk and arrest the men. Women and children are released in the evening on condition that they return the next day with food for the men. On 2 October, the men are taken away by train to Amersfoort.
Assisted by Dutch SS, German troops set fire to about 110 buildings in the evening and night.
Only dozens of men return after liberation.
'The Woman of Putten' is a monument commemorating the victims of the raid and this statue was unveiled by Queen Juliana on 1 October 1949. The monument consists of a memorial cemetery and a sandstone statue of a mourning woman in costume. She is looking towards the Oude Kerk, from where the men were taken away.
You will also find the memorial room across the road. Here you can read back the full story. There you will also find all the names of the men who perished.
Opening hours
- Every Monday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Every Tuesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Every Wednesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Every Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Every Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Every Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Every Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Prices
- Explanatory price: free access
