05. The Urker lighthouse cover art

05. The Urker lighthouse

05. The Urker lighthouse

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In this episode, we travel to Urk — a Dutch fishing town that once was an island and played a remarkable role in World War II.


When Allied airmen were shot down over the Netherlands, Urk’s brave fishermen rescued them from freezing waters, sheltered them in their homes, and guided them to safety. The vast reed fields of the Noordoostpolder, known as the “Dutch paradise for people in hiding,” became a crucial resistance stronghold.


At the heart of it all stood the Urker lighthouse, which not only served as a beacon for Allied pilots to navigate their routes, but also became a hub of quiet resistance — its keeper outsmarted Nazi patrols, tricked enemy boats, and even saved hundreds of church bells..


Note: References to "Germans" here mean Nazi Germany of the past, not modern Germany, whose people hold very different values and beliefs.

Visit our website: Holland’s Hidden Heroes Podcast – Their Story

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Email: hollandshiddenheroes@gmail.com


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