Geuzenveld-Slotermeer in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Leendert Valstar
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 21, 2022
1. Leendert Valstar Marker
Naaldwijk, 10 augustus 1908 - Vught, 4 september 1944
Tuinder Leendert Valstar (schuilnaam Bertus de Vries) was een Westlandse verzetsstrijder. Hij behoorde tot de top van het verzet en pleegde tientallen succesvolle overvallen op onder andere distributiekantoren en bevolkingsregisters. Valstar was oprichter van de Westlandse Knokploeg ιn medeoprichter van de Landelijke Knokploegen.
Op 15 mei 1944 werd hij gearresteerd en later herkend als betrokkene bij de Delftse wapenkraak eerder dat jaar. Hij werd afgevoerd naar de bunker in concentratiekamp Vught. Na lange verhoren en martelingen werd hij, zonder informatie te hebben losgelaten, op 4 september 1944 gefusilleerd, vlak voordat de Amerikanen Vught bevrijdden. Valstar liet zijn vrouw en ongeboren kindje achter. Over zijn verzetsdaden is voor Westlandse scholieren de theatervoorstelling Schuilnaam Bertus gemaakt.
Gardener Leendert Valstar (alias Bertus de Vries) was a Westland resistance fighter. He belonged to the top of the resistance and committed dozens of successful robberies on distribution offices and population registers. Valstar was founder of the Westland "Vigilantes" and co-founder of the National Fighting Squads.
On May 15, 1944, he was arrested and later recognized as involved in the Delftse arms raid from earlier that year. He was taken to the bunker in concentration camp Vught. After enduring long interrogations and torture he was, without having released any information, executed on September 4, 1944, just before the Americans liberated Vught. Valstar left his wife and unborn baby behind. The play "Schuilnaam Bertus" (Alias Bertus) about his acts of resistance has been produced for Westland students.
Erected by Geef
this page online
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht, and the Heroes of the Dutch Resistance (GSEG) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 4, 1944.
Location. 52° 22.8′ N, 4° 50.105′ E. Memorial is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Geuzenveld-Slotermeer. It is at the intersection of Johannes Poststraat and Leendert Valstarhof, on the left when traveling west on Johannes Poststraat. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1063 SZ, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Johannes Post (a few steps from this marker); Harry Koningsberger (within shouting distance of this marker); Gerhard Badrian
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 21, 2022
2. Leendert Valstar Marker - wide view
Also see . . .
1. Schuilnaam Bertus (Theater in Feite, in Dutch). A description of the play "Alias Bertus" by the company that produced it. (Submitted on September 18, 2022.)
2. Leendert Valstar (Wikipedia, in Dutch). (Submitted on September 18, 2022.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
