THE BATTLE OF ARNHEM

With 'Operation Market Garden', Arnhem became the world stage with the largest operation on Dutch soil during the Second World War. From September 17 to 25, 1944, a joint Allied invasion was to ensure that a number of important Dutch bridges were captured. During the Battle of Arnhem, the Rhine Bridge proved to be “a bridge too far”. It became a catastrophe that played a key role in the further course of the war. Since 1945, September in Arnhem has been dedicated to the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem. Arnhem is known worldwide for the Battle of Arnhem and the Bridge Too Far. Unfortunately, the number of veterans is decreasing and the memory is fading. That is why it is now time to commemorate the Battle of Arnhem in an innovative and dignified way. In an experience with art, film and music, Bridge to Liberation in an Experience brings the stories surrounding the Battle of Arnhem alive for everyone; from 8 to 88 years. This lays a foundation for commemorating the Battle of Arnhem in the future.

MARKET GARDEN

Only the south of the Netherlands was liberated in the summer of 1944. British Field Marshal Montgomery makes a plan to liberate the rest of the Netherlands. He gives this plan the code name 'Market Garden'. The plan consists of two parts. The first part is called: 'Market'. During this part, more than 35,000 airborne troops are dropped at important bridges (over the Maas, Waal and Rhine) between Eindhoven and Arnhem to keep them occupied. The second part, called 'Garden', is a code word for the British ground army. They will move by ground from Belgium to Arnhem, via the bridges, to assist the airborne troops. They can then easily move on from here to the rest of the Netherlands and Germany.

THE BATTLE OF ARNHEM

The Rhine Bridge near Arnhem is one of the bridges that must be occupied within the Market Garden plan. This bridge is located deep in enemy territory. The intention is for more than 10,000 British and Polish airborne troops to occupy the Rhine Bridge until the ground army arrives. On September 17, 1944, the first planes with airborne troops took off. They land in the area west of Arnhem. Meanwhile, American paratroopers land at Son, Veghel and Sint Oedenrode and have to capture the other bridges. After fierce fighting, the Americans managed to capture all the bridges between Eindhoven and Nijmegen, now only Arnhem! The first day the British troops do not encounter much resistance from the Germans who are surprised by the attack.

On the second day the Germans fought back hard and the British had a very hard time. Only 600 British paratroopers, led by Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, manage to reach the Rhine Bridge near Arnhem. After four days they have to surrender, the Germans are too strong. The rest of the British troops are stuck in Oosterbeek and the Polish soldiers at Driel (across the Rhine). These troops have nowhere left to go, but they continue to hold on because they hope that the rest of the ground army will come to help them. After nine days of fighting, it becomes clear that the ground army will no longer arrive in time and the remaining Allied airborne troops must withdraw across the Rhine. They do this on the night of September 25 to 26 when it is dark, so that they are not noticed by the Germans. When they wake up the next day, they only see that all the British and Polish soldiers are gone, only the wounded and caregivers are still there.

HARTENSTEIN

Only 600 British paratroopers manage to reach the bridge. The rest of the army gets stuck in Oosterbeek. British Major General Urquhart chooses the Hartenstein hotel as his headquarters. This hotel, where the museum is now, is the center of the British who retreated here. There is heavy fighting around Hartenstein, because it is the headquarters of the British. Yet the British persist and Major General Urquhart continues to lead his troops from Hartenstein. Only when they have nothing left to fight with do they leave the hotel and retreat across the Rhine. Hartenstein is left damaged. photos: Hotel Hartenstein

ARNHEM: A GHOST TOWN

Due to the heavy fighting in the area around Arnhem, all residents of Arnhem and surrounding villages have to leave; they are evacuated. The Germans are also afraid that Dutch citizens will help the Allies. The residents take what they can with them, but have to leave a lot of things unattended. After all the citizens have left, Arnhem is a ghost town. Because the Allies have also bombed cities in Germany, the Germans take all the items left behind in Arnhem with them to Germany. They see it as a replacement for the lost things in their own cities. When the residents of Arnhem return in May 1945, there is almost nothing left except empty, broken houses.

THE HUNGER WINTER AND PEACE

The failure of the Battle of Arnhem means that the entire Netherlands above the Rhine (Western and Northern Netherlands) was not liberated before the winter of 1944. This is a very harsh winter in the Netherlands and due to the war there is not enough fuel left to heat the houses. But even worse is that there is not enough food for everyone. That is why many people walk from village to village, every day, in search of food. Unfortunately, 20,000 Dutch citizens died that winter due to the shortages.

This period quickly became known as 'Hunger Winter'. Only in May 1945 did the military succeed in defeating Germany. The German troops also surrender in the Netherlands. The peace negotiations will take place on May 5 in hotel 'De Wereld' in Wageningen. The west and north of the Netherlands have finally been liberated. Only now can the reconstruction of the entire Netherlands begin.

commemorate & celebrate

Every year the liberation of the Netherlands is celebrated on May 5. The day before, on May 4, is National Remembrance Day. In the Arnhem region, in addition to the national moments in September, the lost Battle of Arnhem is commemorated with commemorations in Arnhem, Ede, Driel and Oosterbeek. 1,754 soldiers and several civilians are buried at the Airborne War Cemetery in Oosterbeek. The commemorations are attended annually by British and Polish veterans and their families. Would you like to know more about the Battle of Arnhem? Then visit the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek or visit the Airborne Arnhem website for more activities in the region.