Alyssa's Research Resisters Padlet by Alyssa Johnson

The Resistance of Freddy and Truun Oversteen: A Documentary

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-04 23:02:36 UTC

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-04 23:06:01 UTC

Who Was Freddy and Truus Oversteen?

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-11 22:03:43 UTC

Freddy and Truus Oversteen were two sisters aged 14 and 16. They were strongly against the Nazi's work and were soon recruited into the Haarlem Resistance group in 1941. They worked against soldiers until the war came to an end. They survived but were left scarred by the traumatic events. Freddy ended up suffering from insomnia because every time she shut her eyes the images of horrors would flood back to her. They sadly passed away at the old age of 92 and 93 in 2016 and 2018.

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-11 22:06:16 UTC

Freddy Oversteen

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-12 21:05:30 UTC

"You must always remain human"

-Truun Oversteen

First Act of Resistance

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-13 02:40:47 UTC

In May 1940, the Oversteen siblings joined their mother in their first-ever act of resistance. They helped distribute newspapers and pamphlets, spreading the word. They also glued warnings across German street posters, calling men to help and work in Germany. Although these gestures were small, it was dangerous work. If caught, they would be shot.

Second Act of Resistance

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-13 02:56:14 UTC

In 1941 sisters, Freddy and Truun Oversteen were recruited by the Haarlem Resistance Group for their unsuspecting young looks. They were told to sabotage bridges and railroads. They were later told that they would have to learn how to shoot Nazis. They agreed and joined the Resistance. Freddy remarked, "Well that's something I've never done before?"

Seduced and Killed

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-13 03:07:15 UTC

The sisters killed in many different ways, but this might be the most memorable one by far. It began when Truus seduced and led an SS officer into the woods. She lured him right to someone from the resistance, who then shot him.

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-13 03:08:37 UTC

Final Act of Resistance

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-13 03:28:30 UTC

Freddy and Truun Oversteen soon learned to shoot and kill themselves. They began to focus on killing Dutch collaborators and going out on personal assination missions. They became especially skilled at following their targets. Although numbers were never revealed of how many Dutch and soldiers they killed, it was plenty. Benda Beckman stated that they would follow their targets home on their bikes, leaving them unsuspecting, and then would ambush and kill them.

The Aftermath

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-13 03:36:53 UTC

All though the sister's acts were memorable, they were left with much trauma. They dealt with the memories of their murders and the loss of their best friend. Freddie Oversteen suffered from severe insomnia and stated that every time she let her eyes rest, the horrific sights would flood back to her. She coped by "getting married and having babies". Truus remarked, "We did not feel it suited us, it never suits anybody, unless they are real criminals." After their passing, they were not recognized until 2014. They received recognition for their service and received the Mobilisatie-Oorlogskruison.

ajoh3384 — 2025-03-13 03:38:42 UTC