The plaque in the town hall of Delfzijl was given to the municipality by former prisoners of the German concentration camp at Wilhelmshaven. It was offered as a gesture of gratitude for the warm and compassionate reception they received from the inhabitants of Delfzijl after their release. On 16 April 1945, the former prisoners made their way home via Delfzijl, reaching Dutch soil along the Dollard coast. After years marked by imprisonment and deprivation, the welcome they encountered there left a deep and lasting impression.
The memorial plaque now hangs at the top of the staircase in the Delfzijl town hall, located on Johan van den Kornputplein. The text engraved on the plaque reads:
“DELFZIJL
16 APRIL 1945
ESCAPED FROM SLAVERY AND DEATH
YOU RECEIVED US WITH LOVING CARE
ON YOUR DOLLARD SHORE WE SENSED
THE BREATH OF A LAND SET FREE
OFFERED BY THE SURVIVORS
OF THE CONCENTRATION CAMP
‘SCHWARTZER WEG’ WILHELMSHAFEN.”
