Geuzenveld-Slotermeer in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Herdenkingsmonument Elias, Verkuijl, Verkuijl
Saskia Bongers 2019
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 6, 2022
1. Herdenkingsmonument Elias, Verkuijl, Verkuijl Marker
De drie pijlers in het kruis evenals de drie amberbomen achter het monument symboliseren de drie mannen die hier het leven lieten voor onze vrijheid.
Memorial commemorating Matthijs (Pa) Verkuijl, his son Henk Verkuijl and police officer Pieter Elias. Messrs. Verkuijl were members of the resistance group Erkens, and Elias was a member of the Amsterdam resistance group. They were shot on December 15, 1944 in retaliation by the German occupiers after other resistance members had sabotaged the Amsterdam-Sloterdijk railway line. The three men are buried at the memorial cemetery in Bloemendaal.
The three pillars in the cross as well as the three sweet gum trees behind the monument symbolize the three men who lost their lives here for our freedom.
Erected 2019
this page online
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is December 15, 1944.
Location. 52° 23.074′ N, 4° 49.933′ E. Memorial is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Geuzenveld-Slotermeer. It is on Haarlemmerweg near Radarweg, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1063 EP, 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: Zij brachten voor de vrijheid het grootste offer/ They made the greatest sacrifice for freedom (here, next to this marker); Hendrikus Rempe (within shouting distance of this marker); Johan Doorn (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Franciscus Claessen (about 90 meters away); Jan Verleun (about 120 meters
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 6, 2022
2. Herdenkingsmonument Elias, Verkuijl, Verkuijl Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here in the sidewalk, in front of the rightmost bench. The memorial site is comprised of two separate memorials - the three-pillared cross and this plaque, installed by Gemeente Amsterdam in 2019, as well as the memorial panel installed by Geef Straten Een Gezicht in 2022. The 2019 memorial replaces the one installed in 1947.
Also see . . . Executie Haarlemmerweg Amsterdam (Oorlogsbronnen, in Dutch).
Excerpt (in translation): On December 15, 1944, three resistance fighters were shot on the tramway of the Haarlemmerweg in Amsterdam, in front of the Vredelust farm: the Amsterdam police detective Pieter Elias and Matthijs and Henk Verkuijl from Badhoevedorp. The execution was an act of revenge for an attack by the resistance on the railway line at Sloterdijk. The bodies of the three executed resistance fighters had to lie there for two days as a deterrent. Officers from the Admiraal de Ruijterweg police station were forced to guard the corpses of the 'terrorists'.(Submitted on February 25, 2023.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 6, 2022
3. Names and ages of the memorialized
Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 25, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
