By early 1945, Groningen was a landscape of fear and defiance. Under the crushing weight of Nazi occupation, German patrols roamed the countryside, collaborators haunted every town, and daily life was marked by hunger, suspicion, and danger. But in this harsh environment, resistance fighters and underground networks rose to defy their oppressors. In Episode 5 of Woven in Courage, we explore the fierce underground war waged in and around Groningen—battles fought not only with weapons, but with courage, secrecy, and sacrifice.

This episode draws from my grandfather Fedde Visser’s wartime journals, providing rare insight into life in Nazi-occupied Groningen. His detailed records of resistance activities, troop movements, and dangerous encounters suggest he may have played a larger role in the resistance than we ever imagined.

🔹 What You’ll Hear in Episode 5:

• The RVV and LO-Groningen: We uncover the work of two of the most vital resistance organizations in the region. The Raad van Verzet (RVV), or Council of Resistance, specialized in sabotage and targeted attacks, while LO-Groningen—the local branch of the Landelijke Organisatie voor Hulp aan Onderduikers (National Organization for Helping People in Hiding)—created lifelines for those hunted by the Nazis, including Jews, escaped forced laborers, and downed Allied pilots​page3 direct translatio…​Romijn-LiberatorsPatrio….

• The Langweer Raid – July 14, 1943: One of the most daring operations of the Dutch resistance. Resistance fighters liberated dozens of prisoners destined for deportation, in an audacious raid that shocked the occupying forces and strengthened the resolve of resistance groups across the northern provinces​Romijn-LiberatorsPatrio….

• The Raid on the Groningen Prison – December 8, 1944: As Nazi control intensified, the LO/LKP (National Organization/Armed Resistance Groups) executed a high-risk raid on the heavily guarded prison in Groningen. The objective: to free imprisoned resistance members facing torture and execution. The raid was a bold, coordinated effort that underscored the growing strength and determination of the Dutch underground in the final months of the war​Romijn-LiberatorsPatrio….

• Herman Heukels: The Collaborator Who Sold Out His Country: We reveal the sinister role of Herman Heukels, one of the most notorious Nazi collaborators in the Netherlands. Known for photographing Jewish deportations and betraying countless members of the resistance, Heukels personified the danger from within. His presence in Groningen and the surrounding region forced resistance fighters—including my grandfather—to move in silence and live under constant threat​page3 direct translatio…​Romijn-LiberatorsPatrio….

• Operation Bodenplatte – January 1, 1945: On New Year’s Day, the Luftwaffe launched its last major offensive in the west. Groningen’s skies were filled with German fighter planes targeting Allied airfields, in a desperate but devastating attempt to slow the Allied advance. Fedde Visser’s journal records the sounds of the air raids, the chaos they caused, and the rising hope that the war’s end was near​page3 direct translatio…​Romijn-LiberatorsPatrio….

• The Nazi Propaganda War—and Operation Cornflakes: As Allied forces pushed deeper into Nazi-held territory, Germany intensified its propaganda campaigns. Operation Cornflakes, launched by the Allies, used counterfeit Nazi mail to spread anti-Hitler propaganda directly into German households. Meanwhile, Nazi radio and print continued their lies in the Netherlands, painting resistance fighters as terrorists and traitors. We examine how propaganda shaped perceptions and fueled the dangerous world my grandfather navigated​Romijn-LiberatorsPatrio…​Braber-DesperationJuly1….

🔹 Why Episode 5 Is Essential Listening

This is a story of courage and survival in one of the most dangerous places in occupied Europe. Through Fedde Visser’s journals and historical records, we uncover the untold stories of resistance, betrayal, and hope in Groningen. It’s a testament to the resilience of ordinary people who became heroes in extraordinary times.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Experience Woven in Courage - Episode 5: Shadows Over Groningen.

🔜 Coming next in Episode 6: Liberation and Reckoning—As freedom returns, questions arise. Who collaborated? Who resisted? And how does a nation rebuild after war?

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