Historic Panels September 1944

In September 1944, Operation Market Garden began. Thousands of paratroopers were dropped over various locations in the Netherlands with the aim of capturing the bridges over the Meuse, Waal and Rhine rivers. One of these locations was the village of Groesbeek. On 17 September 1944, 5,200 paratroopers of the US 82nd Airborne Division were dropped here. An intense battle began in the village, and the resistance from the German soldiers was stronger than expected, but in the end the American troops were the victors.

When the fighting began, some residents were forced to spend several days in their cellars to shelter from the fighting, and eventually had to flee or evacuate. Many thought they would be able to return home after a few days, but it took several months until residents could return to their homes. Groesbeek remained on the front line until February 1945. By the end of the war, many houses had been damaged by the fighting and left empty by looters.

To commemorate these events, historical panels were installed around Groesbeek on the initiative of the Groesbeek Airborne Friends Foundation, using large images to highlight various topics. The first panels were unveiled in Groesbeek in 2014 and panels have since been installed in other municipalities in the area.