Monument at Kanaaldijk-Zuid

The monument at Kanaaldijk-Zuid in Someren was erected in memory of mayor P.J.C. Smulders of Someren and mayor W.J.M. Wijnen of Asten who were executed here on August 15, 1944, by NSB members under orders from the German occupier.

Wilhelmus Josephus Marie Wijnen was born on September 22, 1880, in Sint-Oedenrode, and is buried in the R.C. cemetery in Asten. Petrus Johannes Cornelis was born on January 17, 1895, in Middelbeers, and is buried in the R.C. cemetery St. Lambertus in Someren-Dorp. Both were members of the resistance.

After resistance fighters shot dead two local guards on the road between Gemert and Beek en Donk at the end of July 1944, the German occupier sought revenge. A local NSB member was approached to compile a list of names and addresses of individuals from Asten and Someren known as opponents of the German regime. At the top of the list were the names of mayor Wijnen from Asten and mayor Smulders from Someren.

After mayor Wijnen was arrested at Koningsplein around midnight on August 14, 1944, mayor Smulders was taken from his home in Speelheuvelstraat in Someren. His neighbor, doctor Jacobs, was also supposed to go but was not found at home. Frans Eijsbouts on Nieuwe Kerkstraat was the next person on the list and was arrested instead of Jacobs. The detainees were then taken to Kanaaldijk towards Weert and shot there.

Eijsbouts miraculously survived the assassination attempt. In the publication "History of Someren in World War II," he reported on the event: "I do not know how long I lay there. When I could hear nothing at all anymore, I stood up - only then did I realize I was injured in my arm - and climbed out of the ditch. A short distance apart lay both mayors. Mayor Wijnen of Asten had apparently tried to escape, as he was lying ten meters away. They were both dead."

The text on the memorial stone reads:

'IN HONORABLE
MEMORY OF
W.J.M. WIJNEN
MAYOR
OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF ASTEN
AND P.J.C. SMULDERS
MAYOR
OF THE MUNICIPALITY
OF SOMEREN
WHO ON
AUGUST 15, 1944
AT THIS LOCATION
FELL
AS VICTIMS
OF THE RESISTANCE'.

Symbolism
The cross is not only a symbol of the Christian faith but also serves as a reminder of the sacrifice made by war victims for a life in freedom.

Dorpsraad Someren-eind