About the town » Achterveld, Gemeente Leusden, Utrecht, Netherlands

• DTB Dopen 8.182
• DTB Trouwen 1.227
• DTB Begraven 1.118
• BS Geboorte 468
• Bidprentjesverzameling 71
• BS Overlijden 51
• Bevolkingsregister 19
• Inschrijving gevangene 1
• Rekesten 1

Achterveld is a village in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of Leusden, and lies about 8 km east of Amersfoort. The village is a catholic enclave in a protestant region. It has a neo-romanic church. In 2001, the village of Achterveld had 1616 inhabitants. The built-up area of the village was 0.50 km², and contained 651 residences. The statistical area "Achterveld", which also can include the peripheral parts of the village, as well as the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 2570. On April 28 and 30, 1945, Achterveld was the scene of high-ranking talks now known as 'The Achterveld Conference' between the Allied command - a.o. the generals Bedell Smith, Foulkes, Sir Francis de Guingand (British), prince Bernhard, Susloparov and the occupying German government of the Netherlands, headed by 'Reichskomissar' Arthur Seyss-Inquart, and his aides. They discussed urgent food-help for the starving cities in the west of Holland, which Seyss-Inquart allowed, and which started the day after, April 29, by plane from England, code-named Operation Manna. The Allies tried to start negotiations about an unconditional German surrender. Seyss-Inquart did not want to comply there and then, although a general cease-fire was convened. The Germans ceased their resistance only on May 5 following, in Wageningen. .