In 1941, on behalf of the German forces, a Harlingen construction company built a gun repair workshop for the German Navy (Marine Flak Abteilung 246) on Kimswerderweg road in the city of Harlingen. This so-called MAZa building (Marine Artillerie Zeugamt) was designed in the rural architectural ‘Heimatstil’ style, which referenced traditional farmhouse construction in Germany and was used by the German occupiers to camouflage military complexes from the air. The German forces referred to this complex as the ‘Siemens Werkstätte’. 

On 17 April 1945 at 04:30, the Canadian forces had taken control of the city, with only skirmishes remaining at the auction site on Spoorstraat road and here at the MAZa. Around 60 German soldiers had entrenched themselves inside the MAZa. 

A small incident quickly changed the German forces' rigid stance. While refueling a Wasp flamethrower, in full view of the German defenders, someone unexpectedly pulled the trigger causing flames to shoot out. The German troops hesitated no longer and finally surrendered to the Canadian forces after 11:00. 

During the liberation, at least nine German soldiers were killed, and approximately 400 were taken prisoner. On the Canadian side, there were only two minor injuries. 

Since 2014, this renovated complex has provided 14 assisted living residential units, allowing people to live independently in their homes.