Osdorp in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Guus Reitsma
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 16, 2024
1. Guus Reitsma Marker
Nijmegen, 26 juli 1922 - Overveen, 1 juli 1943
Toen de Leidse universiteit in oorlogstijd de deuren sloot, ging rechtenstudent Guus Reitsma als kantoorbediende bij een verzekeringsmaatschappij in Den Haag werken. In de avonduren kreeg hij thuis in Oegstgeest les van zijn vriend Sam van Musschenbroek. Ze werden actief bij de verzetsgroep rond beeldhouwer Gerrit van der Veen. Op 27 maart 1943 pleegden ze een aanslag op het Amsterdamse bevolkingsregister, waarbij uiteindelijk 15 procent van de persoonsgegevens werd vernietigd. De nazi's loofden 10.000 gulden uit voor wie meer wist over de betrokkenen. Reitsma werd verraden, gearresteerd in de kantine van sportvereniging VUC in Voorburg en uiteindelijk gefusilleerd in de duinen bij Overveen. Na de oorlog werd hij herbegraven op de Eerebegraafplaats in Bloemendaal. Hier ligt hij naast zijn vriend Sam.
When Leiden University closed its doors during wartime, law student Guus Reitsma went to work as an office clerk at an insurance company in The Hague. In the evenings he received lessons at home in Oegstgeest from his friend Sam van Musschenbroek. They became active in the resistance group around sculptor Gerrit van der Veen. On March 27, 1943, they attacked the Amsterdam population register, ultimately destroying 15 percent of the personal data. The Nazis offered 10,000 guilders for anyone who knew more about those involved. Reitsma was betrayed, arrested in the canteen of the VUC sports club in Voorburg and ultimately executed in the dunes near Overveen. After the war he was reburied at the Memorial Cemetery in Bloemendaal, buried next to his friend Sam.
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 March 27, 1943.
Location. 52° 21.106′ N, 4° 47.267′ E. Memorial is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Osdorp. It is on A. Reitsmakade, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: H Diesveldsingel 61, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1060 RL, 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: Piet Nak (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Diesveld (within shouting distance of this marker); Anton Hφlzel (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 16, 2024
2. Guus Reitsma Marker - wide view
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Attack on the Population Register marker (depicted on this marker)
Also see . . .
1. Guys Reitsma (Wikipedia, in Dutch).
Excerpt (in translation): He was one of the participants in the Attack on the Amsterdam Population Register (1943) at the Plantage Middenlaan in Amsterdam. Under the leadership of Van der Veen and together with Willem Arondeus, Johan Brouwer, Karl Grφger, Coos Hartogh, Henri Halberstadt, Rudi Bloemgarten, Sam van Musschenbroek, Koen Limperg, Sjoerd Bakker, Cornelis Leendert Barentsen and Cornelis Roos, part of the building with the personal cards blown up. Reitsma stood guard outside disguised as a police officer and, together with the others, overpowered the relief of the guards.(Submitted on April 14, 2024.)
After the attack, he went into hiding with family and friends, but on April 15 he was arrested after betrayal by the Germans in a sports canteen in Voorburg and, after a trial in The Hague, after detention in the Oranjehotel and the police headquarters at the Weteringsschans in Amsterdam, and ultimately executed in the dunes of Overveen.
2. 1943 bombing of the Amsterdam civil registry office (Wikipedia).
Overview: The 1943 bombing of the Amsterdam civil registry office was an attempt by members of the Dutch resistance to destroy the Amsterdam civil registry (bevolkingsregister) in order to prevent the German occupiers from identifying Jews and others marked for persecution, arrest or forced labour. The March 1943 assault was only partially successful, and led to the execution of 12 participants. Nevertheless, the action likely saved many Jews from arrest and deportation to Nazi extermination camps.(Submitted on April 14, 2024.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
