The Bevrijdingsmonument (liberation monument) in Alteveer, part of the Stadskanaal municipality, commemorates the liberation of Tange-Alteveer on April 13, 1945. During the Allied battles against the occupiers, Polish soldier Bernard Grabowski was killed, and two villagers lost their lives to shrapnel.
In early April 1945, the Allies swiftly approached Groningen province. Liberation occurred in three areas: the border region between Musselkanaal and the Dollard, the city of Groningen, and the 'bridgehead Delfzijl.' Local resistance managed to preserve 'De IJzeren Klap,' the only bridge over the Stadskanaal that hadn't been destroyed. On April 11, a reconnaissance unit of the First Polish Armored Division, led by General S.W. Maczek, crossed the provincial border at Musselkanaal. They advanced, reaching Stadskanaal and Mussel the same day.
On the next day, Onstwedde was liberated. In Tange-Alteveer, west of Onstwedde, a unit of the German 'Marinefestungsbataillon 359' opened fire when Polish armored vehicles arrived on April 13. After the Polish scouts withdrew, their artillery shelled Alteveer. During this battle, two villagers lost their lives. Following artillery shelling, the Poles launched an afternoon attack. Polish tanks set a barn on fire, where German naval soldiers were hiding. Polish soldier Bernard Grabowski was shot and killed from the barn. When the Germans ran out of the burning barn, they were met with Polish machine gun fire. The battle ended swiftly, with nine Germans killed, and the remaining soldiers of the 'Marinefestingsbataillon' surrendered, liberating Tange-Alteveer.
The monument is located at the General Cemetery, behind the N.H. Church on Beumesweg in Alteveer (municipality of Stadskanaal).
The inscription on the pillar reads:
'T.K. Bernard Grabowski. Polish Forces.
Fallen During The Liberation Of Tange – Alteveer, April 13, 1945'.
