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

Bekijk alle locaties
Elburg – ‘Old Putten’ resistance group

Elburg – ‘Old Putten’ resistance group

Elburg
Nijmegen – The Allies cross the Waal

Nijmegen – The Allies cross the Waal

Nijmegen
Lienden  – Bombing the dike

Lienden – Bombing the dike

Lienden
Westervoort – Mustering the troops

Westervoort – Mustering the troops

Westervoort
Kranenburg – American parachutists land on German soil

Kranenburg – American parachutists land on German soil

Kranenburg
Oosterbeek – A symbol of friendship

Oosterbeek – A symbol of friendship

Oosterbeek
Renkum – The landing of parachutists and gliders

Renkum – The landing of parachutists and gliders

Renkum
Lent – Men’s Island

Lent – Men’s Island

Nijmegen

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