Hell’s Highway Battlefield Tour

The 101st Airborne’s fight to keep the road open

On 17 September 1944, thousands of paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division jumped into the occupied Netherlands in broad daylight. Their mission: seize and hold every bridge between Eindhoven and Veghel so the British armour could race north towards Arnhem. The fighting was so fierce that the men gave this stretch of road its name: Hell’s Highway.

This full-day tour puts you on the ground where it happened. You will stand at the drop zones, walk the bridge sites, and visit the fields where two Medal of Honor recipients were killed within a mile of each other and within 24 hours. This is not a lecture from a car window. It is a guided journey through the landscape, with the stories of the men who fought here.

This tour focuses entirely on the 101st Airborne sector. If you want to see both American divisions in a single day, the Americans at Market Garden tour covers the 101st and the 82nd Airborne from Eindhoven to Nijmegen, but with less time at each location. If the 82nd Airborne is your primary interest, see the Nijmegen, 82nd Airborne tour. This tour is the right choice if the Screaming Eagles are your focus and you want to go deep.

Tour itinerary: Son to Veghel

Morning: from the drop zones to Sint-Oedenrode

Drop and landing zones near Son
We begin where the 101st Airborne began: at the drop and landing zones near Son. Standing on the field where thousands of paratroopers came down on that Sunday afternoon, I will walk you through the chaos of the first hours. The scattered drops, the race to reach objectives, and the difference between what the plan said and what actually happened.

Road bridge at Son
A short drive takes us to the bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal at Son. The Germans blew it just as the paratroopers were closing in. We will talk about the capture, the overnight rebuild by British engineers, and then the defence of this vital crossing.

Joe Mann and Robert Cole memorials at Best
We then shift focus to the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment and the bitter fight around Best. What started as a small patrol to take a secondary bridge spiralled into a series of events that pulled in half the division. We visit the memorials to Major Robert Cole and Private First Class Joe Mann, the only two members of the 101st Airborne to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II. Both were killed within 24 hours and less than a mile apart. Cole was shot in a field near the woods on 18 September; he would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his earlier actions at Carentan. Mann threw himself on a grenade to save his comrades. Their stories alone are worth the visit.

Sint-Oedenrode: the surprise bridge
From there we drive across the vast landing fields where hundreds of gliders came in and move to Sint-Oedenrode. We will talk about the defence of the town and the battles on the road towards Schijndel.

Afternoon: Veghel, Eerde, and the cutting of the corridor

The bridges at Veghel
Veghel is where this tour gets intense. We discuss the capture of the bridges over the Aa and the Zuid-Willems Canal, and then move to the location of what can only be described as a Cannae: a stunning tactical move in which an entire battalion of Germans was surrounded and captured.

The first cut of the corridor north of Veghel
We move to the north of Veghel, where the Germans cut the corridor for the first time, severing the supply line to the forces further north. This was no longer a lightning operation. It was a desperate fight to keep the road open.

The windmill and sand dunes at Eerde
The Germans tried again at Eerde. We visit the windmill and the sand dunes where fierce fighting took place as the 101st Airborne, together with British units, fought to reopen the road.

Koevering, where the Germans cut the road
Finally, we visit Koevering, where the Germans managed to cut Hell’s Highway once more. One of the most intense and consequential actions of the entire operation.

Practical information

Meeting point and transport

This tour starts at 09:00 at Eindhoven railway station and ends at approximately 17:00 back at Eindhoven railway station. I will pick you up and drive you to all locations. Transport is included in the tour price.

Getting to Eindhoven: If you are flying into the Netherlands, Eindhoven Airport is a short taxi or bus ride from the station. From Amsterdam Schiphol, direct trains to Eindhoven run regularly (approximately 1.5 hours). You can plan your connection at ns.nl.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes for short walks (some grass and unpaved paths), weather-appropriate clothing (we will be outside at each stop for 10–20 minutes), and a camera. I bring the maps, photos, and source material.

Not sure which tour to choose?

I offer several Market Garden tours, each with a different focus:

This tour (Hell’s Highway): A full day focused entirely on the 101st Airborne sector from Son to Veghel. Goes deepest into the battles along the corridor.

Americans at Market Garden tour: Covers both the 101st and 82nd Airborne sectors in one full day. Best for visitors who want to see the complete American story from Son to Nijmegen.

Nijmegen, 82nd Airborne tour: A full day focused entirely on the 82nd Airborne sector around Nijmegen and Groesbeek. Includes the landing zones, Groesbeek, and Devil’s Hill.

Easy Company tour: Follows the Band of Brothers story through Market Garden and onto The Island.

Market Garden Highlights tour: Covers the entire operation (American and British sectors) from Eindhoven to Arnhem in one day. The broadest overview but with shorter stops.

For the British perspective on the race up the corridor from Belgium, see the XXX Corps Breakout tour.

Not sure? Contact me and I will help you choose based on your interests and available time.

Pricing

We have a flat fee price for our tours:

• • Price for a full day private tour for 1 to 4 persons including transportation is €480.
  • For 5-8 persons I have to charge €650 to cover the rent of a large minivan.
  • Lunch and museum entrance is not included in the price.
  • For a group of more than 8 persons please visit my Groups page

Frequently asked questions

Is this tour suitable for non-enthusiasts?

Yes. I regularly take couples and families where one person is the history enthusiast and the others came along for the experience. The tour is built around human stories and the landscape, not military jargon. I adjust the level of detail to my audience. The driving between stops gives everyone a breather.

How physically demanding is the tour?

Not demanding. This is primarily a driving tour with short walks at each stop, typically 10 to 20 minutes of walking per location. Some sites are on grass or unpaved paths, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. If you have specific mobility concerns, let me know in advance and I will adjust the route.

Where does the tour start and end? How do I get back?

The tour starts and ends at Eindhoven railway station. We meet at 09:00 and return at approximately 17:00. If you need accommodation recommendations near Eindhoven, let me know after booking.

Can the itinerary be customised?

Absolutely. If there is a specific location, unit, or story you want to include, let me know when you book and I will adjust the route. I also offer fully bespoke tours. See my Groups page or contact me to discuss.

What is the difference between this tour and the Americans at Market Garden tour?

The Hell’s Highway tour focuses entirely on the 101st Airborne sector: Son, Best, Sint-Oedenrode, Veghel, Eerde, and Koevering. The Americans at Market Garden tour covers both the 101st and the 82nd Airborne sectors in a single day, running from Eindhoven to Nijmegen. That tour is broader but spends less time at each location. If the 101st is your primary interest, Hell’s Highway goes deeper.

Do you offer this tour in languages other than English?

This tour is available in English and Dutch.

What about lunch?

We take a lunch break at a restaurant in Veghel, roughly halfway through the day. Lunch is not included in the tour price. I will choose the restaurant based on availability on the day.

How far in advance should I book?

I am often fully booked during peak season (April–September), especially around commemoration dates in September. I would recommend booking as early as possible. You can check my availability in the date picker below, or contact me to book for 2027.

What if it rains?

The tour runs in all weather conditions. The Netherlands can be unpredictable, so bring a waterproof layer. Much of the tour is by car, so you will not be exposed for long stretches.

Book this tour

Select an available date below to book. Dates that do not appear in the calendar are already fully booked.