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The secret map


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On the 5th of November 1944, as the 1st Polish Armoured Division approaches, a schoolmaster from Hooge Zwaluwe must hand over a secret map to the Poles. On it, the underground has accurately pinpointed the German positions around Moerdijk.

Dutch underground organisations covertly gathered information about the German defences. Huib Toebak and Eduard Janssens from Zwaluwe had drawn up an intelligence report about the defences at Moerdijk. Their intention was to hand over this report with a map to the first Allied officer they would encounter in Zwaluwe. Until then, the report was hidden behind a loose brick in the attic of the school.

On the 5th of November 1944, the Polish liberators from the 1st Polish Armoured Division approached the Goverde cafe. While many villagers hunkered in shelters awaiting the end of the fighting, Eduard Janssens set off and handed over the report to a Polish officer. The Poles thought there were no more German troops in Hooge Zwaluwe but Eduard Janssens discovered their positions and warned the Poles in advance. A fierce battle then raged for a half-day in the streets of Hooge Zwaluwe, before the village was liberated.