Woensdrecht

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Woensdrecht
Municipality
Sint Gertrudiskerk, Ossendrecht
Sint Gertrudiskerk, Ossendrecht
Flag of Woensdrecht
Flag
Coat of arms of Woensdrecht
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Woensdrecht in a municipal map of North Brabant
Location in North Brabant
Coordinates: 51°25′N 4°20′E / 51.417°N 4.333°E / 51.417; 4.333Coordinates: 51°25′N 4°20′E / 51.417°N 4.333°E / 51.417; 4.333
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceNorth Brabant
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorSteven Adriaansen (VVD)
Area
[2]
 • Total91.97 km2 (35.51 sq mi)
 • Land91.66 km2 (35.39 sq mi)
 • Water0.31 km2 (0.12 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
24 m (79 ft)
Population
 (January 2019)[4]
 • Total21,866
 • Density239/km2 (620/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Woensdrechter
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
4630–4645
Area code0164
Websitewww.woensdrecht.nl
Dutch Topographic map of Woensdrecht, June 2015

Woensdrecht (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈʋunzdrɛxt] (audio speaker iconlisten)) is a municipality (named after the village) in the southern Netherlands.

Woensdrecht is the home of the Woensdrecht Air Base, which is located to the north-east of the village of Woensdrecht and to the north-west of Huijbergen.

History[edit]

Second World War[edit]

On 2 October 1944, at the beginning of the Battle of the Scheldt (2 October-8 November 1944), the Canadian 2nd Division began its advance north from Antwerp. Stiff fighting at Woensdrecht ensued on 6 October, the objective of the first phase. The Germans, reinforced by Battle Group Chill, saw the priority in holding there, controlling direct access to South Beveland and Walcheren Island. There were heavy casualties as the Canadians attacked over open, flooded land. Driving rain, booby traps and land mines made the advance very difficult. On 13 October, what would come to be known as "Black Friday", the Canadian 5th Infantry Brigade's Black Watch was virtually wiped out in an unsuccessful attack. The Calgary Highlanders were to follow up with a more successful action, and their Carrier Platoon succeeded in taking the rail station at Korteven. Heavy fighting at Hoogerheide also ensued, but by 16 October, Woensdrecht was secured, cutting the land link to South Beveland and Walcheren. The Canadians were successful in completing their objective.

After that the Buffaloes, ground forces dedicating to causing as much impact to the enemy troops during the barrage, secured the Breskens pocket on the north side of the Scheldt river.

Cold War era[edit]

In 1983, it was decided that the United States would station 48 nuclear armed cruise missiles at the air base in the district, unless the USSR reduced their number of SS-20 missiles to 378. Since the number was still higher in 1985, stationing was to proceed. Among the Dutch population there was protest against this. The plan was cancelled in 1987 due to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Population centres[edit]

Climate[edit]

The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Woensdrecht has a marine west coast climate, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.[5]

Notable people[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • Hoogerheide, straatzicht

  • Mattemburgh

  • Ossendrecht

  • Meeven

Brabantse Wal - Woensdrecht

References[edit]

  1. ^ "College B&W" [Board of mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Woensdrecht. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 4631GC". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  4. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  5. ^ Climate Summary for Woensdrecht, Netherlands

External links[edit]

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