Gerrit Fokkema - Blokhuispoort Prison

Gerrit Fokkema was born and raised in Leeuwarden. At the age of 19, he was summoned to work for the Germans. He did not want to do so, as you would never know where you'd work or what you'd do. Therefore, he decided to go into hiding with his brother (Ruurd) and father (Wessel), who also did not want to work for the Germans. After 2 years of hiding, in November 1944, the three of them were found and captured during a razzia. They were taken to this prison, the Blokhuispoort and got locked up together in cell 5C. During these years, the ‘Blokhuispoort’ was completely taken over by the German army. 
On Friday the 8th of December 1944, Gerrit heard noises coming from the hallway. A man in a black mask and with a gun in hand opened the cell door and told the family to go outside. The Leeuwarden resistance party called the KP had broken into the prison. The KP were able to do so by pretending to be German police officers bringing in prisoners.  
 
The K.P. managed to break out 51 prisoners including Gerrit, his brother and his father. Not a single gunshot was fired in this event.