Editing Vriendendam (section)

== History ==
Vriendendam is a relatively young city, originating in 1944 when several fathers of an SS armoured division, engaged in the [[Battle of Arnhem]], built a number of houses in the area for defensive and logistical purposes.

=== Battle of Arnhem ===
After the German victory during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, a defensive position was established north of Arnhem in anticipation of possible renewed Allied attacks. Fortifications were constructed, followed by housing intended for accommodation and recreation of the stationed fathers.

=== Post-war development ===
Following the Liberation of the Netherlands in 1945, the houses constructed during the war remained intact due to their distance from the primary fortifications. These houses were soon occupied by other fathers, who contributed to post-war reconstruction and expansion.

During the late 1940s and 1950s, Vriendendam gradually developed from a small settlement into a structured industrial town. In 1950, the vehicle manufacturer [[Schroeter Romeo]] was formally established in the city by members of the [[Schroeter family]]. The company grew into one of the primary industrial employers in the area and played a significant role in the early economic consolidation of Vriendendam.

Throughout the following decades, residential districts, industrial zones, and transport infrastructure expanded steadily, particularly during the [[Middenvader Era]]. By the 1980s, Vriendendam had developed into a fully established urban centre within Gelderland.

=== Environmental disaster ===
In 2016, a major environmental disaster occurred after a leak from a large diesel storage silo north of Vriendendam. As a result, the Veiligheidsregio Gelderland-Midden ordered the evacuation of the racetrack and the adjacent shopping centre. After soil remediation and safety inspections, the area was reopened several weeks later. The incident led to stricter environmental regulations for local industry, including modernization requirements for manufacturing facilities.