In the city heavy fighting took place and later the Allied troops started their advance from here towards Berlin. Even before that, it was an area under occupation, experiencing wartime violence.The route takes you along beautiful cycle paths passing several monuments, commemorating amongst others the persecution of Jews and the bombing of 22 February 1944. It also highlights the resistance, the battle for the bridges and for the liberation of the city during Operation Market Garden in September 1944. Crossing the historic city centre and along the cycling along the river, this is a varied route that brings different stories together.

The Netherlands

Still from the movie 'A bridge too far'. 

The Valkhofbunker

Waal bridge

Inside the Freedom Museum

Audio spot and bridge over the river Waal 

Nijmegen after the bombing

American paratroopers at Groesbeek, September 1944. 

Preparation Operation Veritable

Reenactment at Groesbeek.

Nijmegen area cycling route

In July 1947, barges brought 300 tonnes of humanitarian aid and building materials to Nijmegen. The shipment came from Albany, the capital of New York State, USA. In Albany, a broad relief campaign had been set up for Nijmegen: there were 'Nijmegen-corners' in stores, a film about Nijmegen was shown in cinemas, and posters with the appeal 'Adopt a family in Nijmegen' were hung throughout Albany. The shipment contained canned goods, clothing, medical supplies, soap, window glass, lumber, cement et cetera. Mayor Hustinx took receipt of the goods on behalf of Nijmegen, and the Dutch Polygoon Journal made a short film entitled ‘Albany adopts Nijmegen’. The relief aid from Albany gave a strong boost to the moral of the citizens and to the reconstruction of Nijmegen.Major General James M. Gavin, commander of the American 82nd Airborne Division, had taken the lead in the relief campaign. Gavin had played an important role in the liberation of Nijmegen and wanted to do as much as possible to alleviate the consequences of the war. On 25 March 1947, Gavin was appointed honourary citizen of Nijmegen.The relief operation created a warm friendship between Albany and Nijmegen. In 1948 Queen Wilhelmina sent 2,000 tulip bulbs to Albany as a thank you. As a result of the first bloom of the tulips in 1949, the Tulip Festival in Washington Park was born. Albany and Nijmegen became ‘sister-cities’, a friendship is symbolised by orange tulips.Today, the Friendship Albany NY-Nijmegen Foundation maintains friendships between Albany and Nijmegen. During the commemorations of 75 years of liberation, the foundation created an information panel at the Waalkade in Nijmegen. In September 2019 the plaque was unveiled by Mayor Bruls, in the presence of many guests, among them General Gavin’s daughter, the US ambassador to the Netherlands and the US 82nd Airborne Division. Since then, orange tulips have bloomed on the roundabout near the plaque every spring.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="video" width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vOP7Gfe1w_A" start="0"></iframe></div><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="video" width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lHaip0f79d8" start="0"></iframe></div>

Albany helps Nijmegen after the war

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.

Historic Panels September 1944

From November 1944, it was mainly Canadian soldiers stationed in Nijmegen. Their main task was to defend the city and maintain the front. Every day the soldiers had to go on patrol and risked their lives to defend the Allied positions in the Rijk van Nijmegen.To thank and remember the soldiers, 40 maple trees were planted along the Voerweg in Nijmegen in May 1980, on the 35th commemoration of the end of the war, and a memorial stone was laid. This living monument, named "We Do Remember", commemorates the soldiers and shows that even years later, the city's residents are grateful for the liberation and defence of Nijmegen. Every year the trees sprout their beautiful leaves, Canada's national symbol.The memorial stone and trees were a gift on behalf of the Canadian province of Ontario to the municipality of Nijmegen. The memorial stone bears the following text:'THESE FORTY SUGAR MAPLE TREES ARE PRESENTED ON BEHALF OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, CANADA, TO THE CITY OF NIJMEGEN BY THE "WE DO REMEMBER" NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON THE OCASSION OF THE THIRTY- FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF V-E DAY 1945 – 1980'.

We Do Remember Monument

On September 19 1944, the Americans wanted to advance and capture Nijmegen's two bridges. The 2nd Battalion of the 505th Regiment and the Grenadier Guards were to take the rail bridge, the road bridge and the post office. There were reports that the detonation equipment the Germans would use to blow up the Waal bridge was located in the post office. However, apart from the capture of the post office, the operation encountered difficulties.The Waffen-SS General Wilhelm Bittrich had sent units of the 10th SS Panzer Division to Nijmegen to defend the Waal bridges there. The Americans attempted to capture the bridges at Nijmegen, and advanced to the southern Nijmegen bank of the river Waal. There they were halted. The bridges would have to be captured from the northern bank. If this did not happen, the Allied troops fighting in Arnhem could not be supported and would be lost.On September 20th, Major Julian Cook's 3rd Battallion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment were ordered to cross the Waal, and capture the bridges from the northern side. They made the river crossing in the canvas boats of the British XXX Corps, which were inadequate for the job. Once over the river, they were immediately plunged into hand-to-hand fighting. According to eye-witnesses, only 13 of the 26 boats which left the southern bank actually reached the northern side.&nbsp;The rest were either sunk during the crossing, or the engineers operating them were killed.The troops who did manage to reach the northern bank then advenced towards the road bridge, bayonets fixed. The fighting was fierce, often hand-to-hand. Two hours after the river crossing, the Paras captured the rail bridge, inflicting heavy losses on the Germans. After another two hours they held the north side of the rail bridge. At last, the tanks of the Grenadier Guards could roll across the river.Sunset MarchSunset March is a daily tribute to the Allied soldiers who fought for the liberation of The Netherlands. And especially for those soldiers who lost their lives. In 2013 the city of Nijmegen&nbsp;finished&nbsp;the construction of a new City bridge called the Crossing (Oversteek).&nbsp;It was constructed close&nbsp;to the area where US 82nd Airborne crossed the river the Waal on September 20, 1944 as part of Operation Market garden. 48 Allied soldiers lost their lives during this "Waalcrossing".&nbsp;The street lights on this bridge&nbsp;is very exceptional.&nbsp;On the bridge are 48 pairs of street posts.&nbsp;At sunset these&nbsp;sets of streetlights are, pair by pair,&nbsp;ignited at a slow marching pace. The total duration of igniting all streetlights involved lasts almost 12 minutes.Each and every night a veteran walks the Sunset March at sunset. At the ignition of the&nbsp;lights the veteran walks along in&nbsp;according pace. The veteran can be recognized by his or her beret, the veterans insignia, his or her personal medals or&nbsp;a special flag he or she carries along.&nbsp;Everyone can participate and walk the Sunset March. Veterans can&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sunsetmarch.nl/index.php/Welcome" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">subscribe</a> to be 'Veteran of the Day.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iHMbDAO0w2Q?showinfo=0"></iframe>

Crossing of the river Waal 

Market Garden took place in September 1944. The goal was to take the bridges across the rivers Meuse, Waal and Rhine, paving the way for a rapid advance to Germany. Although the ambitious plan failed as regards its ultimate goal, the area around Nijmegen and Groesbeek was liberated by the British and Americans. Strategically, this turned out to be very important. Because in February 1945, after six months of heavy frontline battles, one of the greatest Allied operations from the Second World War started from this area: the Rhineland Offensive. It was the final push to Berlin, which resulted in the liberation of the Netherlands and Western Europe.17th September 1944 saw the start of Operation Market Garden and, with it, the Battle of Arnhem. The Allies lost this battle, but the area around the city of Nijmegen was liberated, and the struggle for the city itself was won on 20th September 1944. However, for six long months, Nijmegen and the surrounding area subsequently found itself on the frontline and under continuous attack from German bombs and grenades.Likewise, despite having been liberated on 17th September 1944, the area around Groesbeek soon became the target of terrible attacks from Kleve and the German Reischswald.&nbsp;Throughout the autumn of 1944, a total of 30,000 people were evacuated from Groesbeek and the surrounding villages. A farm in no man's land is a story about what happened at Groenendaal Farm on Wylerbaan Road.During the long winter of 1944-1945, the frontline barely moved from its position between the Maas and Rhine rivers, extending from Mook, through Groesbeek and Wyler on to Erlecom. Then finally, on 8th February 1945, Operation Veritable made a dramatic push that would ultimately result in the liberation of The Netherlands and western Europe. The mammoth Rineland Offensive had begun, and it started in Nijmegen.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1s4VQxrWJJU?showinfo=0"></iframe>

Freedom Museum

The war memorial was unveiled in 1972 and marks the approximate location of the temporary cemetery of the 82nd Airborne Division. Since 20 September 1944, not only Americans but also British buried their fallen at the Bergzicht estate, not far from the local brewery.The monument was erected in memory of 836 soldiers and air force personnel of the United States and the British armed forces who died here as well as far and wide in the autumn and winter of 1944 (the monument itself only mentions 637 men lost their lives). More than five hundred of them were part of the 82nd Airborne Division. Including boys whose experiences were later filmed in the series Band of Brothers.In May 1948, the cemetery was closed down after a number of the fallen were transferred to the United States at the request of their relatives. The others were given a final resting place at the American cemetery in Margraten.

Memorial of the Molenhoek Temporary American Cemetery

Hotel Sionshof Under the command of General Gavin, paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division landed in the area around the village of Groesbeek on Sunday 17th September 1944. The most important part of their mission was the capture of the bridge over the river Waal near Nijmegen. The Americans pushed through quickly in order to get to the borders of the city. Also despatched with the 82nd was the Dutch captain Arie Bestebreurtje, who was assigned to make contact with the Dutch resistance. The information he received from the resistance was encouraging: the German presence in Nijmegen was weak.Fatal patrol Bestebreurtje thought that Nijmegen could be captured that same night, and he and his American colleagues set off in an armoured jeep to assess the situation. Jan Reinders, the 19–year-old cook from Hotel Sionshof, enthusiastically volunteered to be their guide. The patrol went well until suddenly, close to the Groenewoud Café, they were ferociously attacked. Jan Reinders was killed instantly; Bestebreurtje and the Americans were all wounded and just barely managed to escape. It was apparent that the Germans had been quick to bring in reinforcements after all.Headquarters After three more days of bloodshed, the bridge over the river Waal was finally captured. Meanwhile, Hotel Sionshof had been turned into Captain Bestebreurtje’s headquarters. The international press had settled into the now over-crowded hotel set to report on Operation Market Garden and the capture of the bridge over the Waal.&nbsp; The figure of a paratrooper on the facade of the hotel commemorates those hectic days in September 1944.

Hotel Sionshof 

17th September 1944 saw the start of Operation Market Garden and, with it, the Battle of Arnhem. The Allies lost this battle, but the area around the city of Nijmegen was liberated, and the struggle for the city itself was won on 20th September 1944. However, for six long months, Nijmegen and the surrounding area subsequently found itself on the frontline and under continuous attack from German bombs and grenades.Likewise, despite having been liberated on 17th September 1944, the area around Groesbeek soon became the target of terrible attacks from Kleve and the German Reischswald.&nbsp;Throughout the autumn of 1944, a total of 30,000 people were evacuated from Groesbeek and the surrounding villages. A farm in no man's land is a story about what happened at Groenendaal Farm on Wylerbaan Road.During the long winter of 1944-1945, the frontline barely moved from its position between the Maas and Rhine rivers, extending from Mook, through Groesbeek and Wyler on to Erlecom. Then finally, on 8th February 1945, Operation Veritable made a dramatic push that would ultimately result in the liberation of The Netherlands and western Europe. The mammoth Rineland Offensive had begun, and it started in Nijmegen.

A farm in No man's land

In times of war, even the smallest of villages can turn out to be vitally important. Suddenly a hill or in the case of the village of Heumen, a bridge, can prove crucial. When the Maas-Waal canal was opened in 1927, bridges were built to allow trains and road traffic across the canal. One of these bridges was a vertical-lift bridge across the lock in Heumen. In the May of 1940, German commandos tried to seize this bridge, and during the occupation, the bridge was reinforced and well defended by the Germans. Then on 17th September 1944, American parachutists landed in Overasselt and Groesbeek. They were well positioned for attacking the bridge from both sides, but the Germans stood their ground until nightfall. The bridge had to remain intact because all of the other bridges over the Maas-Waal canal had been damaged or destroyed. This was the only bridge heavy British vehicles could use to get to Nijmegen.

Bridge number 7

On the night of September 17 to 18, 1944, the Germans decided to pull out of Nijmegen, where the fighting was still fierce. They wanted to attempt their evacuation by train, through an area that was already in American hands. The original plan was to run freight trains from Nijmegen, through Arnhem, to German territory, but because the rail bridge in Arnhem had been blown up by German troops on the first day of Operation Market Garden, they had to find an alternative route.This route would run directly across enemy-held territory, via Groesbeek and over the German border through Kranenburg to Kleve. The Americans of the 505th Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division were taken totally by surprise when the first train steamed past. No-one had anticipated this daring option, and they could not react quickly enough to stop this mystery train. A half-hour later came a second train, but this time the Americans were ready. On the high ground of the Hooghe Hoenderberg, between Nijmegen and Groesbeek, a barricade was set across the track, and a bazooka was fired at the approaching train. As it stopped, the Americans stormed the rails, and the Germans jumped from the wagons and took cover in the nearby woods. It took the Americans a whole day to round them all up.

German train escapes trough liberated area

Jachtslot de Mookerheide: German meeting place

The city of Nijmegen played an important role in Operation Market Garden. With its two bridges across the Waal river (the main branch of the Rhine), control of the city was vital for the planned push towards Arnhem and Germany. On 17 September the first attempt was made to capture the two bridges by units of the American 82nd Airborne Division that were dropped around the nearby village of Groesbeek. The American forces managed to get within 400 metres of the Waal bridge but were then thrown back by German forces. The next day another attack was initiated, but again the paratroopers were unable to secure the bridge. On 19 September the ground forces of the 30th Corps made contact with the airborne units in Grave. A combined attack to secure the bridges was made, this time with tank support from the Guards Armoured Division. Again the Allied advance was halted just before the bridges. By this time the German forces had received reinforcements from the 10th SS Panzer Division and put up stiff resistance. It was becoming clear that the bridges could not be stormed. The plan was made to attack the bridges from both sides at the same time. This would mean putting forces across the river in boats. On 20 September units from the 82nd Airborne crossed the river under murderous enemy fire. They managed to establish a beachhead on the northern bank of the Waal and from this small foothold they eventually were able to storm and capture the bridges of Nijmegen and liberate the city.

The city of Nijmegen played an important role in Operation Market Garden. With two bridges across the Waal river it was vital for the Allied advance towards Arnhem and Germany later on. On 20 September 1944 U.S. troops managed to capture both bridges and liberate the city.

The city of Nijmegen played an important role in Operation Market Garden. With its two bridges across the Waal river (the main branch of the Rhine), control of the city was vital for the planned push towards Arnhem and Germany. On 17 September the first attempt was made to capture the two bridges by units of the American 82nd Airborne Division that were dropped around the nearby village of Groesbeek. The American forces managed to get within 400 metres of the Waal bridge but were then thrown back by German forces. The next day another attack was initiated, but again the paratroopers were unable to secure the bridge.

On 19 September the ground forces of the 30th Corps made contact with the airborne units in Grave. A combined attack to secure the bridges was made, this time with tank support from the Guards Armoured Division. Again the Allied advance was halted just before the bridges. By this time the German forces had received reinforcements from the 10th SS Panzer Division and put up stiff resistance. It was becoming clear that the bridges could not be stormed. The plan was made to attack the bridges from both sides at the same time. This would mean putting forces across the river in boats. On 20 September units from the 82nd Airborne crossed the river under murderous enemy fire. They managed to establish a beachhead on the northern bank of the Waal and from this small foothold they eventually were able to storm and capture the bridges of Nijmegen and liberate the city.

The Battle of Nijmegen

Operation Market Garden revolved around the capture of bridges. The task of capturing these bridges fell to the ca. 35.000 Allied paratroopers who were dropped over the Netherlands. The airborne forces needed to capture the bridges and hold them until they could be relieved by the ground forces.Market Garden came as a complete surprise to the German troops but they quickly recovered from their initial shock and put up a stiff defence. In Nijmegen this defence centred around the Valkhofpark which blocked the approach to the traffic bridge over the Waal river.The bunker in Valkhofpark was part of a series of three bunkers that were built near the traffic bridge in Nijmegen. These bunkers were constructed in 1943 with the goal of covering all approaches to the bridge. The bunkers were connected by a system of trenches that were manned by the Waffen-SS during Operation Market Garden. These men managed to fight of several Allied attacks before the traffic bridge was finally captured on 20 September 1944.The bunker in Valkhofpark is the only surviving bunker as the others were removed in 1947 and 1984. One possible reason for this is that the other two bunkers were more actively involved in the fighting and too heavily damaged to retain. In September 2016 the remaining bunker was opened to the general public by the Valkhof Bunker Foundation. The bunker houses an exhibition that tells the story of the liberation of Nijmegen and the battles for the Waalbridges.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="video" width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IO_IFwqYA8c" start="0"></iframe></div>

In September 1944 the Allies launched Operation Market Garden with the goal of capturing several bridges in the Netherlands and to secure a quick advance towards the heart of Germany. The bunker in Valkhofpark was part of the German defence system of the crucial bridge over the Waal river in Nijmegen.

Operation Market Garden revolved around the capture of bridges. The task of capturing these bridges fell to the ca. 35.000 Allied paratroopers who were dropped over the Netherlands. The airborne forces needed to capture the bridges and hold them until they could be relieved by the ground forces. Market Garden came as a complete surprise to the German troops but they quickly recovered from their initial shock and put up a stiff defence. In Nijmegen this defence centred around the Valkhofpark which blocked the approach to the traffic bridge over the Waal river.

The bunker in Valkhofpark was part of a series of three bunkers that were built near the traffic bridge in Nijmegen. These bunkers were constructed in 1943 with the goal of covering all approaches to the bridge. The bunkers were connected by a system of trenches that were manned by the Waffen-SS during Operation Market Garden. These men managed to fight of several Allied attacks before the traffic bridge was finally captured on 20 September 1944.

The bunker in Valkhofpark is the only surviving bunker as the others were removed in 1947 and 1984. One possible reason for this is that the other two bunkers were more actively involved in the fighting and too heavily damaged to retain. In September 2016 the remaining bunker was opened to the general public by the Valkhof Bunker Foundation. The bunker houses an exhibition that tells the story of the liberation of Nijmegen and the battles for the Waalbridges.

Valkhofbunker

In the Canadian War Cemetery, lie 2617 members of the Commonwealth armed forces killed during the Second World War. This is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the Netherlands. Of special note is that, with the exception of just one, all Canadians who lost their lives during Operation Veritable were buried, or in many cases re-buried, here. The one exception is a Canadian soldier who lies in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany.Many of the dead were brought here from Germany, because General Crerar, commander of Canadian forces in Europe, gave the order that no Canadian dead should be buried in German soil. The Allied personnel who lie buried in the Canadian war Cemetery are of the following nationalities: Canada (2339), United Kingdom (267) Belgium (3), Australia (2), Poland (2), New Zealand (1), The Netherlands (1), Russia (1), and Yugoslavia (1). Inside the entrance to the cemetery stands a monument, a memorial wall bearing the names of military personnel missing in action. This monument commemorates a total of 1047 missing men: 942 British, 102 Canadians, 2 South Africans, and one British airman. In front of the graves stands the 'Stone of Remembrance', bearing the text: 'THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE'. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jEVdb9PRero?showinfo=0"></iframe>

In the Canadian War Cemetery, lie 2617 members of the Commonwealth armed forces killed during the Second World War. This is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the Netherlands. Of special note is that, with the exception of just one, all Canadians who lost their lives during Operation Veritable were buried, or in many cases re-buried, here. The one exception is a Canadian soldier who lies in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany. Many of the dead were brought here from Germany, because General Crerar, commander of Canadian forces in Europe, gave the order that no Canadian dead should be buried in German soil.
The Allied personnel who lie buried in the Canadian war Cemetery are of the following nationalities: Canada (2339), United Kingdom (267) Belgium (3), Australia (2), Poland (2), New Zealand (1), The Netherlands (1), Russia (1), and Yugoslavia (1).

Inside the entrance to the cemetery stands a monument, a memorial wall bearing the names of military personnel missing in action. This monument commemorates a total of 1047 missing men: 942 British, 102 Canadians, 2 South Africans, and one British airman. In front of the graves stands the 'Stone of Remembrance', bearing the text:

'THEIR NAME LIVETH
FOR EVERMORE'.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s4VQxrWJJU[/embed]

Canadian War Cemetery Groesbeek

The Freedom Museum is located in the beautiful green and hilly landscape of Groesbeek. The museum is close to Germany and right in the area of two of the most important operations on the Western Front during WW2: Market Garden and Veritable. It is a tourist attraction for young and old, from home and abroad. The visitors experience the fascinating Story of War and Freedom without Borders in both the Netherlands and Germany, Europe and beyond. There is never one story. A multifaceted image of the Second World War is created through various perspectives, in the context of the history of the 20th century and current events. The visitor is challenged to think critically about freedom then and now, full of experiences, interactivity and museum masterpieces. The sustainable building itself, the 12-meter high Dome, is also an attraction and has a strong resemblance to an enormous parachute. From the terrace you have a panoramic view of the historic landscape. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1s4VQxrWJJU?showinfo=0"></iframe>

The Freedom Museum is located in the beautiful green and hilly landscape of Groesbeek. The museum is close to Germany and right in the area of two of the most important operations on the Western Front during WW2: Market Garden and Veritable. It is a tourist attraction for young and old, from home and abroad. The visitors experience the fascinating Story of War and Freedom without Borders in both the Netherlands and Germany, Europe and beyond. There is never one story. A multifaceted image of the Second World War is created through various perspectives, in the context of the history of the 20th century and current events. The visitor is challenged to think critically about freedom then and now, full of experiences, interactivity and museum masterpieces.

The sustainable building itself, the 12-meter high Dome, is also an attraction and has a strong resemblance to an enormous parachute. From the terrace you have a panoramic view of the historic landscape.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-16662" src="https://europeremembers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LOGO-Vrijheidsmuseum-FC-300x85.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="85" />

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s4VQxrWJJU[/embed]

Freedom Museum Groesbeek

The monument was erected to honour resistance members who died, and in particular Jan van Hoof. Jan van Hoof was a member of the Geheime Dienst Nederland, an intelligence branch of the Resistance, and had gathered information on the two Waal bridges, and on the demolition charges planted on them by the Germans. It is almost certain that during fighting in the area on September 18, Van Hoof succeeded in disabling the charges under the Waal bridge. Van Hoof was posthumously decorated by several Allied governments. Text on the monument: "WITH THIS MONUMENT WE HONOUR ALL THOSE WHO WITH JAN VAN HOOF LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE RESISTANCE FOR THE LIBERATION OF NIJMEGEN 1940 - 1945".

The monument was erected to honour resistance members who died, and in particular Jan van Hoof. Jan van Hoof was a member of the Geheime Dienst Nederland, an intelligence branch of the Resistance, and had gathered information on the two Waal bridges, and on the demolition charges planted on them by the Germans.

It is almost certain that during fighting in the area on September 18, Van Hoof succeeded in disabling the charges under the Waal bridge. Van Hoof was posthumously decorated by several Allied governments.

Text on the monument: "WITH THIS MONUMENT WE HONOUR ALL THOSE WHO WITH JAN VAN HOOF LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE RESISTANCE FOR THE LIBERATION OF NIJMEGEN 1940 - 1945".