Freddie and Truus Oversteegen: How 2 Teen Girls Lured And Killed Nazis

During World War II, two teenage sisters, Freddie and Truus Oversteegen, played an important role in resisting the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. With bravery, instincts, and their bicycles, these young women carried out sabotage missions, transported refugees to safety, and assassinated Nazi officers and Dutch collaborators. Their story, though relatively unknown, is one of courage and sacrifices made by women during wartime.

An Upbringing Rooted in Justice

Freddie and Truus grew up in Haarlem, with a single mother who instilled in them a strong sense of justice and activism. Their mother, a communist, welcomed Jewish refugees into their home in 1939, teaching the sisters to prioritize helping others over everything else. These principles of justice and solidarity became the foundation of their resistance.

When the Nazis invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, the sisters began small acts of defiance, such as distributing pamphlets and glueing warnings over German propaganda posters. Their young age and unassuming appearances provided them cover, enabling them to carry out these risky activities unnoticed.

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Joining the Resistance Movements

In 1941, a commander of the Haarlem Resistance Group approached the sisters' mother to recruit them. With her consent, Freddie and Truus joined the resistance. Initially, their duties included sabotage missions like disabling railway lines and bridges. However, their roles soon escalated to assassination missions targeting Nazis and Dutch collaborators.

The sisters trained in firearms and became skilled operatives. Truus once lured an SS officer into the woods, where resistance members ambushed and killed him. Freddie excelled at tailing targets. Together, they carried out daring missions, although they never disclosed the exact number of people they fought, referring to themselves as soldiers who followed orders.

Partnering with Hannie Schaft

In 1943, the sisters joined forces with Hannie Schaft, a former university student who had left school in protest against signing a loyalty pledge to Germany. Together, the trio formed a cell. Hannie’s boldness and intelligence complemented the sisters’ skills, and the three became close friends.

Hannie’s arrest and execution by the Nazis in 1945, just weeks before the war ended, deeply affected Freddie and Truus. Hannie’s defiance in her final moments, reportedly saying, “I’m a better shot,” after her executioner initially missed, left an indelible mark on the sisters.

The Aftermath of War: Coping with Trauma

The war left lasting scars on Freddie and Truus. Freddie, who struggled with insomnia due to haunting memories of the people she had killed, found solace in family life, marrying and raising children. Truus turned to art and public speaking to process her experiences, creating sculptures and sharing stories about their time in the resistance.

Despite their extraordinary contributions, the sisters faced neglect from their country. Labeled as communists, their heroism went largely unacknowledged for decades. It was only in 2014 that they received the Mobilisatie-Oorlogskruis (War Mobilization Cross), recognizing their bravery and service.

A Legacy of Courage 

Freddie Oversteegen passed away on September 5, 2018, just one day before her 93rd birthday, following her sister Truus, who died in 2016. Both women lived long lives, but their stories remained largely in the shadows until recent years.

Their journey serves as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role women played in resistance movements during World War II. Truus once said that their actions were driven not by a desire for violence but by a commitment to a cause greater than themselves.