Wijchen – The arrival of the first black American military
1944 -1945

Liberation Route

The Liberation Route follows the path of the Allies during the liberation of West Europe in 1944 and 1945. The route starts in Normandy and runs via Nijmegen and Arnhem towards Berlin. The route is marked with audio points in the shape of boulders. At each audio point you can listen to radio stories with impressive experiences told by one or more people in 1944 and 1945.

Operation Market Garden
The Arnhem Nijmegen region played a decisive role globally at the end of World War II. During Operation Market Garden in September 1944, one of the largest airborne operations in history, took place in this region. South-Netherlands was liberated as far as Nijmegen, but the operation came to a dramatic halt at the Arnhem bridge. A harsh winter followed.

Rhineland offensive
A few months later, in February 1945, the final phase of the liberation – Operation Veritable – began from Nijmegen. This operation was the start of the great Rhineland offensive, a battle the scale that matches operations of Stalingrad, Normandy and Berlin. Soldiers and civilians alike were drawn into an unpredictable roulette of war that revolved around survival or death, joy and sorrow. In the end, the enemy was defeated and freedom was regained.

Liberation Route
During the Liberation Route you can hear and experience what happened during the last year of the war in Gelderland. At dozens of locations throughout the area you will find boulders, the so-called audio points. At each listening location a radio story can be heard. This way, everyone can empathize with the impressive experiences of civilians and soldiers during the final phase of World War II.

Gelderland Commemorates
We remember the war and celebrate more than 75 years of living in freedom together in Gelderland with a program packed with exhibitions, shows and airborne landings, liberation festivals, commemorations and other events. For more information, visit https://en.gelderlandherdenkt.nl/

Historic Sites

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Imprisoned slave labourers killed during bombing

Imprisoned slave labourers killed during bombing

Kranenburg
Arnhem – Havoc

Arnhem – Havoc

Arnhem
Arnhem – A roof over your head

Arnhem – A roof over your head

Arnhem
Arnhem – A bridge too far

Arnhem – A bridge too far

Arnhem
Angels at the border

Angels at the border

Kranenburg
Milsbeek – Trough rain and mud to victory

Milsbeek – Trough rain and mud to victory

Milsbeek
Wijchen – The arrival of the first black American military

Wijchen – The arrival of the first black American military

Wijchen
Oosterbeek – A symbol of friendship

Oosterbeek – A symbol of friendship

Oosterbeek

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