Battlefield Tours

A battlefield tour with the Dutch Army Reserves

A battlefield tour with the Dutch Army Reserves

This battlefield tour was a nice change of pace after a number of tours with small private groups. With no less than 75 men and women from the Dutch Army Reserves we visited the Hell’s Highway area between Son en Breugel and Veghel.

The day began in Son near the bridge across the Wilhelmina canal where we began with an introduction about Operation Garden and continued with the attempt to capture the bridge. The nearly successful German counter attack by the 107th Panzer Brigade on the 19th of September was (of course) also discussed.

Son Bridge is near

We continued on and visited both the Robert Cole and the Joe Mann memorials and talked about their leadership and sacrifice. These two men were the only Medal of Honor awardees from the 101st Airborne division during the second world war. They died within 24 hours of each other and were no further than one mile apart.

The Robert Cole Memorial, you can almost see it

We continued our journey at the Monument to the Dutch in Sint-Oedenrode. This is a very special monument because it is a gift from the 101ste Airborne veterans to the Dutch who lived along the corridor. We also talked about the exploits of James Flannigan who was wounded mile up the road in the direction of Schijndel. Flannigan became famous in Normandy where a picture was taken with him holding a swastika flag.

The beautiful Monument to the Dutch

Our final two stops were in Veghel where the Germans cut the road twice, first on Black Friday, the 22nd of September and then again two days later at the Koevering.

In Veghel we talked about the crisis that faced the allies when the Germans attacked the town in force while most of the division was elsewhere. Luckily the 506th PIR was on its way to Uden and these accidental reinforcements proved instrumental in turning the tide.

At the Koevering we talked about Elgin Andross, a Glider Pilot was awarded the Silver Star for his actions right where we were standing. There on the location where the original road once was we concluded the tour with a group picture.

Group picture at the Koevering, a great day with a great group!

By Joris

My name is Joris Nieuwint and please let me be your tour guide! As a local who has lived in the Operation Market Garden area for most of my life, this battle is now part of my DNA, and I have been studying it for almost 30 years. Since 2012 I have been active as a Battlefield Guide and over the years I’ve have taken many individuals, small and large groups, relatives of veterans, school groups, and military groups and staff rides on tours all through Europe. What began with guiding in the Operation Market Garden area has since expanded to include the Hürtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge and more.

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