Soldier’s Service and Pay Book of Stefan Mitrenger | Hoedekenskerke

Stefan Mitrenger (of Polish descent) was forced in German military service. Early October 1944 he deserted his artillery unit near Hoedekenskerke. Thereafter he hid himself in the area, but was found by someone from the Resistance.

Stefan was taken to a farm (in the area of Kwadendamme),  after the war better known as Phoenixhoeve. From here the resistence movement was co-ordinated and carried out. He was accomodated in this place for a few weeks, but at some stage the members of the Resistance considered him a potential risk because he had seen too much. They voted, and decided to execute him the next day.

The night before the execution the Scots landed on the banks near Baarland, consequently the execution was not accomplished. As soon as the Scots approached the farm and tried to force their way in a Scotsman was fatally hit by a German soldier. After the fight the Scotsman was buried in the farmyard, after the war he was reburied in Bergen op Zoom.

When it became quieter the Remijn family emerged from the basement, they noticed the Scots in the house, who asked them whether there were any Germans hidden too. They informed them that a German soldier was hidden in the shelter in the orchard. Subsequently the family was transferred to the amphibious landing beach; upon arrival Kees Remijn received permission to return to the farm to look after the animals. The rest of the family departed (by landingcraft) to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.

On his way to the farm Kees encountered the German deserter in a wheelbarow,  pushed by other prisoners of war. Kees noticed that he was badly injured and lost both his feet. He asked the Germans what had happened and they told him that the Scots had thrown a grenade into the shelter where Stefan had hidden, as a result of which he had lost both his feet.

Upon arrival at the farm it appears that only the house was still undamaged, the barn happened to be hit by artillery fire from Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and was completely burnt down. After the occasion this farm was later renamed “Phoenixhoeve”, what means “arosen from the ashes”.

When Kees entered the house he discovered this Soldbuch (Soldier’s Service and Pay Book) of Stefan Mitrenger, he kept it as a souvenir ever since untill it was included in our museum collection.