The barracks and other parts of Camp De Beetse are in the picture for national monument status. To the delight of the foundation that manages the barracks and grounds.
“We have had a visit from heritage expert Rutger Noorlander who, on behalf of the RCE, the National Cultural Heritage Agency, is examining whether buildings from the Second World War should be included on the list of national monuments,” says spokesperson Geert Oost of the foundation. “We of course hope that this place will achieve that status.”
Wartime buildings
Rutger Noorlander confirms that he has been conducting research for several years, commissioned by the RCE. A study that should clarify whether the list of nationally monumental buildings and objects from the war period needs to be supplemented.
The site of the former camp is in the picture because De Beetse was a Jewish labor camp during wartime in 1942. Hundreds of Jewish men stayed and worked there until they had to go to Westerbork on November 3, 1942, where they were deported to the extermination camps and murdered.
Forced to Westerbork
Dozens of such camps were established in the Netherlands in 1942, following a decision by Reich Commissioner Seyss-Inquart. Previously, they had often served as work relief camps, including De Beetse. And in all camps, from November 2 to 3, the Jewish men were forced to go to Westerbork.
“The camps were part of the systematic oppression of the Jews,” says Noorlander. “Nothing remains of most of them. Barracks were demolished and/or sold. De Beetse is an exception. There is still a barracks there, but there is also the foundation of a guardhouse and there are still posts of the entrance gate. That makes the site so special.”
‘Research in progress’
Noorlander emphasizes that his findings do not make it absolutely certain that the barracks and the grounds will actually receive national monument status. “It is an investigation in progress.”
Geert Oost is eagerly awaiting the final verdict. He and other directors of the foundation have been managing the barracks and grounds for years. They show visitors around, tell them about the history of the location and in the near future they will also build a replica of another barracks in which they mainly want to highlight the work relief period ( Dagblad van het Noorden reported about this). May 4 has also been commemorated on the site for years.
Right to exist
“A protected status would be great for us,” says Oost. “We are then certain that the barracks and other parts of the camp cannot simply disappear. Moreover, such a status would also demonstrate that the building and site have a right to exist, and that we would do well to make such an effort.”
The owner of the barracks is the municipality of Westerwolde. Her predecessor, Vlagtwedde, bought the building years ago, had it restored and thus saved it from destruction. At the time it was in a very dilapidated state.