http://www.nation-online.com/200105/23/n1052301.htm#BODY11

Liberation War veteran Ouderland dead

A man fighting for his own country, no doubt, is an act of rare bravery, but it becomes little newsy compared to the ballad of an alien fighting side by side with the sons of the soil, reports BSS.

Dutchman W A S. Ouderland was the man who fought in our great Liberation War in 1971. Ouderland remained in Bangladesh till 1978 and was transferred to Australia thereafter.

He later settled in Australia and died after prolonged ailment at the age of 84 in a hospital at the Western Australian city of Perth on May 18 (Friday).

Hundreds of people across the country on Tuesday paid glowing tributes to the valiant freedom fighter who received the gallantry award 'Bir Protik' from the Bangladesh government immediately after independence.

The great man, the World Wwar I (one) veteran who was working s the Manager of Bata Shoe Company in Tongi from mid 1970 took part in the Liberation War in the sectors I and II.

As a foreigner he used the privilege of free movement during the turbulent time taking photographs of the atrocities committed by Pakistani army against innocent Bengali people including young women and children.

He passed those photographs to the international press that created sympathies for the cause of the Bangladesh people in different parts of the world.

He also took the risk of providing shelter to freedom fighters and innocent Bengalis inside his factory compound. Mr. Ouderland, himself a brave soldier provided logistic support including military training to groups of young people. Mr. W A S. Ouderland was born in December, 1917 in Amsterdam of the Netherlands.

He was conscripted for national service in 1936 after he had taken a job with Bata Shoe Germany. He joined as a sergeant in the Dutch Royal Signals Corps shortly before Ceremony invaded his motherland.

He joined Dutch underground movement after escaping from a German POW camp. He was able to help the Dutch underground movements as well as the allied forces with vital information as he spoke fluent German and several Dutch dialects.

In 1971, Ouderland used his prior war experience and helped unequipped Bengali youths in building resistance against Pakistani occupation forces.

A number of socio-cultural organisations including 'Sharabanjan' and 'Megnum Opas' has already demanded of the government to accord him Bangladesh citizenship posthumously for his outstanding contribution to the country's Great War of Liberation.

PM shocked

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday condoled the death of valiant freedom fighter W.A.S. Ouderland, Bir Pratik.

In a message to Mrs. Ouderland, Sheikh Hasina said Ouderland has been a legend in Bangladesh by having the rare distinction of valiantly fighting shoulder to shoulder with the freedom fighters during liberation war in 1971.

The Prime Minister recalled that Mr. Ouderland was the only foreign national to have been honoured with gallanty award Bir Pratik for his outstanding contribution to the war of liberation. Mr. Ouderland had created for himself a niche in the hearts of the Bengali nation, Sheikh Hasina said.

"May God give you and the rest of your family members the strength and the courage to bear this irreparable loss", Hasina wished Mrs. Ouderland and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

In a separate message, Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad also condoled the death of Ouderland. "Ouderland has been a man of valour who actively participated in our war of liberation in 1971", Azad said. He has indeed touched the hearts of the entire nation and would no doubt be remembered for all times to come, he added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh High Commission in Australia has been instructed to attend the funeral ceremony of Mr. Ouderland at Perth, Australia.

In line with Bangladesh government's policy to accord full honours to all freedom fighters, it has been decided that subject to the agreement of Mr. Ouderland's family members, the coffin of the deceased shall be wrapped in the national flag of Bangladesh.

http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/may/23/23052001mt.htm#A12

Hasina, Azad shocked at death of Ouderland

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad shocked at the death of WAS Ouderland, Bir Pratik, the only foreigner decorated with the gallantry award for his valiant role in the Bangladesh Liberation War, reports UNB.

Bangladesh High Commissioner in Australia has been instructed to attend the funeral of the freedom fighter in Perth, where he died last Friday.

In line with the Bangladesh government's policy to accord full honour to all freedom fighters, it has been decided that subject to the agreement of Ouderland's family members, the coffin of the deceased shall be wrapped in the national flag of Bangladesh.

In separate messages to Mrs Ouderland sent through the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Australia, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister recalled his valiant role in the struggle for independence and conveyed to his family members the deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister in her message said, "I was deeply grieved to learn of the demise of your illustrious husband WAS Ouderland, Bir Pratik. Please accept, on my own behalf and on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, our deepest condolences."

"Your late husband has been a legend in our country by having the rare distinction of valiantly fighting shoulder to shoulder with our freedom fighters during Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971 and being the only foreign national to have been honoured with the gallantry award 'Bir Pratik'. By this he has created for himself a niche in the hearts of the Bengali nation."

She prayed that the bereaved family members would have the strength and courage to bear with this irreparable loss and for salvation of the departed soul.

The Foreign Minister in his message conveyed heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

"Ouderland has been a man of valour who actively participated in our War of Liberation in 1971. He has indeed touched the hearts of the entire nation and would no doubt be remembered for all times to come," he said.