It was an emotional day for Dutch East Indies veteran Ger Achterhof from Emmen. During the thirtieth commemoration of the Southeast Drenthe victims, who fell in present-day Indonesia and New Guinea, he addressed those present for the last time. The 93-year-old force behind the Indies monument has finally stopped after years of involvement as chairman of the Foundation for the Fallen Indies Soldiers 1945-1962 Memorial.
“Here I am, I can’t do anything else, after thirty years I have to stop,” says Achterhof at the monument in the center of Emmen. In total there were thirty victims in the former Dutch East Indies from the southeast of Drenthe. “It must have been horrific for those families when the announcement came: your son has been killed.” According to the chairman, he is always moved when he sees the names. In total, 6200 men were killed.
Achterhof has decided to resign from his duties as chairman, because he says he can no longer take it. “My head is full, I can’t handle it anymore. That’s why I stop, there is no other reason.” The veteran is visibly emotional and he emphasizes that. “It touches me emotionally, that’s because of the years. I’m also 93, what do you want”, explains Achterhof.
Together with eight other Indian veterans, he erected the monument. Achterhof is the only veteran still alive. “At a meeting with all the soldiers, the sound emerged that something must be done for the fallen young men in the Dutch East Indies. Suddenly I had the idea: a monument.”
And that’s what it eventually became. “With this you kill two birds with one stone”, explains the chairman. “It is a tribute to the young men who died and a place for the bereaved.”
Watch our report about the commemoration in Emmen (story continues below the video):