Woensdrecht (village)

The village was first mentioned in 1249 as Wunsdrecht. The etymology is unclear.^[3] Woensdrecht developed in the Middle Ages on the border of sand and clay ground.^[4] In 1583 and 1584, the village was destroyed during the Eighty Years' War and was resettled after 1590.^[5]

Woensdrecht was home to 792 people in 1840.^[5] During the 20th century, Woensdrecht and Hoogerheide merged into a single urban area.^[4] In 1935, a little airfield was built near the village. During World War II, Woensdrecht Air Base became a large military airport, and remained a military airport after the war. In 1944, it was severely damaged by war, and the ruinous church tower has remained.^[5]

In 1983, it was announced that 48 nuclear cruise missiles were to be installed in Woensdrecht and the village became the site of frequent anti-nuclear protests. Despite strong opposition against nuclear weapons, the government decided to place the cruise missiles, but with a two-year delay.^[6] On 8 December 1987, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was signed which resulted in a cancellation of the cruise missiles in the Netherlands.^[7]

• "History of Woensdrecht". Gemeente Woensdrecht. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
• "ViaMichelin Maps and Routes". Michelin. Retrieved 1 October 2012.