Joannes Gielen

This memorial page is dedicated to Joannes Gielen, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

Additional information:
The section of the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal between Helmond and Nederweert was occupied on 11 May 1940 by II-30.RI and III-30.RI, which, in accordance with Peeldivisie doctrine, were also provided with substantial support from 6-veld, PAG and a mortar company. Within the sector of II-30.RI lay a road bridge (and lock) over the Zuid-Willemsvaart (between the towns of Someren and Asten) which connected the provincial road to Heeze and Valkenswaard to the west. This bridge and lock no. 11 (XI) near Someren fell precisely within the sector of II-30.RI. On 11 May, it was a reconnaissance group from 2./IR.192 (56th Infantry Division) that was the first to come into contact with the defences of the canal near Someren. It proved to be a harbinger of a protracted battle. By around 1500 hours, the Germans had succeeded in breaching the defences and forcing the Dutch to retreat. Twelve Dutch soldiers were killed in the battle at the canal, with a further five falling in the area behind it. On the German side, only three soldiers were killed.

Joannes Gielen was on his way to his parents’ house in Liessel on his bicycle. As he was unable to continue his journey due to the fighting at the bridge near Sluis 11, he turned back towards his aunt’s house, where he worked as a farmhand. On the way, his neighbour, who had just come from the barber’s, jumped onto the back of his bicycle (it is possible that the Germans had confiscated the neighbour’s bicycle). On Vaarselstraat, Joannes Gielen was fatally struck by German gunfire; his neighbour was shot in the ankle but still managed to escape and limp home. It is possible that both were mistaken for Dutch soldiers – some of whom were disguised in civilian clothing – who were trying to flee from the German soldiers.

Memorial card

Death register

View all persons in the category: Residents of Deurne who died outside Deurne