MARKET GARDEN ITINERARY

[Pirate]

"It looked like we could get out on the wings and walk all the way to Holland". Captain Neil Sweeney 101st Airborne Division.

A NICE QUIET PLACE FOR A REST, MARGRATEN.

All too often in schools, films and books, the story of WW2 jumps from one important event to another. D Day, Market Garden, Bastogne and the fall of Berlin. Laid out as someone's idea of what is important and forgetting less well known battles. For the young men who fought in the Rhineland their war was important

Margraten is the resting place of 8.301 Americans and the names of 1,723 who rest in unknown graves.
Margraten is unique amongst war cemeteries.
Margraten, the Dutch people will never forget.

DAY 1. MARGRATEN TO UDEN

Upon arrival in Holland we head down to the quiet little village of Margraten, 6 miles East of Maastricht. Here we will look at the events following from September 44 and the battles for the Rhineland.

Afterwards we head into Maastricht, birth place of the European Union and the Euro, for some general sight-seeing. Mid afternoon we start our journey to our base at Uden (where we meet up with Jan (Flying Dutchman)) via Helmond. Film night, 'A Bridge Too Far'.

DAY 2. RIDE CLUB ROUTE (HELL'S HIGHWAY)

This morning we head down to the Belgian town of Lommel, on the Belgian/Dutch border to see where XXX Corps were at JOE's Bridge. Here we start our 64 mile ride along the corridor to Arnhem, stopping briefly at Valkenswaard and Son. We will be travelling on the original planned route,

Whilst in Arnhem the MT Riders Club Wreath will be laid at either Arnhem War Memorial or Arnhem Oosterbeek CWGC. Can the group decide which they would prefer and let me know please. Followed by a visit to the Hartenstein Airborne Museum. After lunch some time to walk around the area before we head back to base with a stop at John Frost Bridge. Some of the stops today are brief as they will be covered in greater detail on later visits. Film night -'Band of Brothers part 4 'Replacements' and part 5 Crossroads'

DAY 3. 101st SCREAMING EAGLES. EINDHOVEN - VEGHEL

The day starts back at Valkenswaard where we pay a visit to the CWGC site. The cemetary was originally formed by the Irish Guards for those killed on the opening day. It holds 222 soldiers and 2 airmen. 30 were killed on the 17/18th September1944. Then back through Eindhoven to Son and the 101st landing site. Across from the landing area is General Taylor's HQ.

Over to the village of Best where we look at the German counter attacks and some remains of foxholes. Here we see the memorial to Private First Class Joe Mann, who, already wounded with his arms bound, saved the lives of six other wounded members of his trench by covering a grenade with his back .For his actions he was awarded a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honour (American V.C.).

Next is the Wings of Liberation Museum. Its main theme is 101st Airborne Division. It also has vehicles and equipment from the period. Finally we head over to Veghel and the 'Klondike (Col Johnson, 501st PIR, HQ), where even the cooks had to grab rifles when faced with the 107' Panzer brigade.

DAY 4. 82nd GRAVE - NIJMEGEN, BEST LAID PLANS AND THE FOG OF WAR.

The 82nd (All American) was the oldest of the three airborne divisions, having begun as a infantry division for service on the Western Front during the First World War. After the war during America's period of isolationism (1920's/30's), it was reduced to a reserve division. After December 7th 1941 it was brought back but this time as an airborne division.

The day starts at Grave where we visit some German bunkers defending the bridge. Then we head over to the village of Heumen and the second bridge, along what now (due to enemy action) is the new corridor. We pass the monument to the 325th Glider Inf Regt 'Rusty Parachutes'.

Then on to Groesbeek heights and the landing site near Breedeweg followed by Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial.


Then we head into Nijmegen itself and look at the various attempts to capture both bridges. With the final assault on the 20th September 1944 including the famous crossing of the Waal by the 504 PIR and the crossing of the road bridge by Sgt Robinson and three Shermans. Dutch bunker by road bridge used as German command bunker.

DAY 5. ARNHEM, HOPE, EVACUATION AND SURRENDER

The day starts at Driel where we see how far XXX reached and the Polish drop site in preparation for the eventual evacuation of the remnants of 1st Airborne.Next onto the 1st Para Bde drop site, where we head into Arnehem via one of the routes (Leopard). On the way we stop at some foxhole remains. The Arnhem bridge is our next port of call, where we park up and have a walk around the sites of the buildings occupied by John Frost's force.

Next, we head out towards Oosterbeek along the route taken by Frost's 2nd Bn, stopping at the St. Elesabeth Hospital and 135 Alexanderstraat (site of Lathbury wounding) and 14 Zwartewag (Urquhart hideaway).

Lunch at the Schoonoord.
Feild Marshall Moel's HQ, Tefelberg Hotel
Wageningen Surrender Room

DAY 6. THE FINAL SOLTION PART 1 - AMSTERDAM

An early start as we say goodbye to our base at Uden and head up to Westoerbork and the Herinneringscentrum Kamp. This is believed to be the only SS transit camp for Jews in Europe outside of Germany.

Amsterdam and evening meal out.

DAY 7. THE FINAL SOLUTION PART 2.

You cannot really visit Amsterdam without paying a visit to one teenage girl's hideaway; her name was Anne Frank.
We will also visit the Verzetsmuseum the theme of this museum being the role of the Dutch resistance. As Holland was one of the routes taken by the Allied Air Forces to bomb Germany, many a downed air crew owe their lives to the work of these brave people, who knew, that if caught, they would be executed and not be sent to a P.O.W. camp.

Free time and meal out.

DAY 8. HOME

Our last day is general sight-seeing and an optional extra to be announced.

At all POI'S I will give historical background infomation and try to answer any quiestions.

[Blitz]

Many thanks Simon. Another well thought out itinerary and I know hours of research too.

I will look at the two suggested sites for the wreath laying and throw in my 2 cents

I assume your bringing the DVDs

I will bring my copy of the map too so we can pin these up as they are great reference material.

[Pirate]

Thanks Grant.

Yep i will be bringing the DVD's and player just incase base doesn't have one! Bringing along your map is a very good idea.

Pirate

[bth2bth2]

wwwwwoooooooooooo film nights

sounds another great itinerary simon , well done.

brian

[Blitz]

wwwwwoooooooooooo film nights

sounds another great itinerary simon , well done.

brian

Beer will be required too

[Pirate]

wwwwwoooooooooooo film nights

sounds another great itinerary simon , well done.

brian

Beer will be required too

I will come to that in the General info Post.

[Blitz]

Simon.
Can you help me out with your wreath laying location at Arnhem. Is it the Airborne memorial near the bridge with the field gun etc or the ruin pillor monument in the middle of the roundabout?

Thanks

[Pirate]

Grant,

Look on Map 5. John Frost Bridge Area. Section 1 by the Eusebius Church, although 8 would be good. The other is Map 3 Purple 21.

Pirate

[bth2bth2]

which maps are these chaps

[Priest]

Aah the maps I also have one but will be forced to eat it before I divulge any further information.