Four lesser-known WWII stories from Gelderland 

The city of Antwerp had already been captured by Allied forces on 4 September 1944 with its deep-sea port intact. However, to solve the supply problems, the Allied nations needed to gain access to the North Sea, to facilitate material provisioning and personnel reinforcements. At this point, the canals, rivers, and waterways around Antwerp toward the North Sea, including the 95-kilometre-long Western Scheldt, were still in German hands.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gaining full access to the port of Antwerp was essential, because the city and port of Rotterdam had been heavily bombed in 1940 during the Nazi’s invasion of the Netherlands. Additionally, the artificial Mulberry Harbour off the coast of Arromanches-les-Bains in Normandy, which was working above its capacity, had already been left far behind by the Allied troops in their advance along the Western Front. Despite some smaller French port cities being liberated since D-Day (6 June 1944), the Allies needed another major port to ensure adequate supplies for their troops throughout the coming winter months.&nbsp;Clearing the Scheldt Estuary&nbsp;The First Canadian Army under the leadership of Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds was responsible for this great battle, while American and British troops had led Operation Market Garden (17 to 25 September 1944), the attempted advance into the Netherlands across the Lower Rhine River. The unsuccessful execution of this operation caused a delay in the battle for the Scheldt, which gave the German Wehrmacht time to reinforce their defences and personnel along the Scheldt Estuary.&nbsp;The clearing of this strategic area took the Canadian, British, Polish, US-American, Belgian, Dutch, Free French and Norwegian units several weeks. The strong defence facilities, called the German Atlantic Wall, in combination with the fierce resistance of dug-in German troops made it hard for the Allies to obtain the upper hand over the region’s various islands and riverbanks.&nbsp;Poor battle conditions&nbsp;Bad, rainy weather resulting in muddy ground made the fighting unbearable and seemingly hopeless at times. In numbers, however, the Allies were stronger than the Germans. Roughly 135,000 Allied soldiers faced some 90,000 battle-hardened Wehrmacht troops. The British Royal Air Force strategically breached some dykes to weaken the Nazi defences, causing inundations and facilitating the use of amphibious vehicles.&nbsp;The Battle of the Scheldt was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the Second World War on Belgian and Dutch soil. Numerous amphibious assaults, obstacle crossings and attacks over open ground made the Allied soldiers vulnerable to hostile fire. Despite taking more than 40,000 prisoners, and clearing the Scheldt Estuary as ordered, the Allies sustained heavy losses. Almost twenty-one thousand Allied soldiers (among them over six thousand Canadians) lost their lives during these weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Supplying the Allied advance&nbsp;Clearing the port of mines after its capture took another three weeks, with the first Allied supply ships finally landing in Antwerp on 29 November 1944. This reinforcement was sorely needed for the further advance through the Netherlands into Germany and for the Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, which was imminent in the winter of 1944/45 (16 December 1944 to 28 January 1945). Between November 1944 and the end of the Second World War in Europe (8 May 1945), 2.5 million tons of supplies arrived through the port of Antwerp, which were critical for finally defeating the German troops.&nbsp;

Battle of the Scheldt – A costly Allied advance on the Western Front

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/18/battle-of-the-scheldt">Battle of the Scheldt Hiking Route</a>&nbsp;This route follows the history of one of the most significant battles of WWII, the Battle of the Scheldt. This series of military operations that took place in the autumn of 1944 forever changed the course of history of Zeeland and in West-Brabant.&nbsp;You’ll walk through the hills that separate Zeeland from Brabant, experiencing the landscape where the Allies fought to secure access to the Westerschelde river (the gateway to Antwerp’s port). Along the route, you’ll encounter reminders of the war, such as former Dutch Spanish <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/2033/dutch-spanish-forts-still-of-use">forts</a> used by Polish soldiers in September 1944 or commemorative monuments like '<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/2015/the-dying-pole">The dying Pole</a>' or '<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/2025/the-fallen-warrior">the Fallen Warrior</a>'.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/68/in-the-footsteps-of-the-canadian-liberators">The Zeeland part of the Canadian Trail</a>&nbsp;You can explore the history of the Battle of the Scheldt and other significant WWII battles in the region by walking the Zeeland section of the "Hiking in the Footsteps of the Canadian Liberators" trail. This extensive route highlights the crucial role played by Canadian soldiers in the liberation of the Netherlands.&nbsp;Along the way, you will visit the key city of Flushing (Vlissingen), which was liberated by the Scots of the 5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, during the Battle of the Scheldt. You will also learn about the Allied use of smoke screens to disorient German forces.&nbsp;Beyond the famous Battle of the Scheldt, the trail explores the broader wartime history of Zeeland. At the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/1145/memorial-40-45-kapelle">Memorial 40-45</a> in Kapelle, you will discover the story of the lesser-known French battle that took place in Zeeland in May 1940. In the village of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/1980/tragedy-of-s-gravenpolder">Gravenpolder</a>, you'll learn about the heavy price paid by its residents during the liberation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/79/polish-cycling-route-zeeland">Polish Cycling Route Zeeland</a>&nbsp;Polish soldiers played an essential but often forgotten role in liberating Zeeland. The Polish Cycling Route Zeeland sheds the light on their contributions. It is a part of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/83/national-polish-cycling-route-in-the-netherlands">National Polish Cycling Route</a> in the Netherlands which aims at raising awareness about the efforts of Polish soldiers during WWII in the Netherlands.&nbsp;The route starts at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/1143/war-museum-gdynia">Gdynia War Museum</a> and takes you through the towns and countryside where Polish troops fought. One key location is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/969/the-liberation-of-hulst">Hulst</a>, with its towering Saint Willibrordus Basilica, a lookout point used during the war.&nbsp;You’ll also encounter cemeteries, museums, and battlefields, including the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/2029/polish-bridge-in-zaamslag">Polish Cross in Zaamslag</a> and the site of the fierce battle at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/2032/battle-at-bonte-koe">Bontekoe</a>. The route highlights stories like that of Polish fighter pilot <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/2122/polish-spitfire-pilot-taken-prisoner">Tadeusz Jan Legowski</a>, who was captured near Hulst after his Spitfire was shot down. The audiospots present along the route will provide you with the opportunity to further enrich your knowledge on this topic.&nbsp;Zeeland’s hiking and cycling routes offer a unique opportunity to combine outdoor adventure with historical insight. Grab your shoes and backpack and experience these historical landscapes for yourself. Visit our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/">LRE website</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW166762881 BCX0" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.liberationroute.mobile&amp;pli=1">download</a> our hiking app so you can plan your trip!&nbsp;

Hiking & Cycling Routes in Zeeland 

FRIDAY 13/12/2024 - BASTOGNE WAR MUSEUM<ul><li>9.00 am - 7.00 pm | Opening hours of the three Museum sites (shop and Bistrot de la Paix included)</li><li>Afternoon | Opening of the Reenactment Camp (period American and German military camps)<ul><li>Presence of an American glider "Waco" (25m wingspan) and demonstration of loading and unloading of jeep "Willy's"</li></ul></li></ul><ul><li>6.30 pm - 8.00 pm | Concert by the group “Madeeson &amp; Co” in the Reenactment Camp</li></ul>SATURDAY 14/12/2024 - BASTOGNE WAR MUSEUM<ul><li>9.00 am - 7.00 pm | Opening hours of the three Museum sites (shop and Bistrot de la Paix included)</li><li>1.00 pm - 4.00 pm&nbsp;| Signing sessions with one actor from “Band of Brothers" serie (Matthew Leitch) &amp; 2 actors from “Masters of the Air” serie (Josh Bolt &amp; Ian Dunnett Jr)<ul><li>! Paying activity !</li></ul></li><li>In the afternoon | Signing session of the actress Lucie Jeanne (Renée Lemaire in the"Band of Brothers" serie)&nbsp;</li><li>From 1.00 pm | Testimonies from Belgian veterans and a concentration camp survivor<ul><li>André Liégeois, 99 years old</li><li>Julien Nyssens, 101 years old</li><li>Anne Megens, 100 years old on the 12th of December / survivor of the Ravensbrück concentration camp</li><li>Robert Chot, 102 years old</li><li>Roger Clette, 101 years old</li></ul></li><li>From 6.00 pm | Meeting with civilian witnesses and veterans</li><li>During the day | Flight over the Mardasson by vintage fighter planes (time to be specified and activity dependent on weather conditions)</li><li>All day | Workshops on code-breaking (with an “Enigma” machine), map-reading, radio transmissions, etc</li><li>All day | Signing sessions by Battle of the Bulge authors</li><li>All day | Lectures by authors and historians of the Battle of the Bulge</li><li>All day | Presentation of unusual objects and his model by influencer Zoran, age 12</li><li>All day | Activities in the Reenactment Camp (period American and German military camps)<ul><li>Presence of an American glider "Waco" (25m wingspan) and demonstration of loading and unloading of jeep "Willy's"</li><li>Over 100 American and German military figures</li><li>Exhibitions of period military equipment, tents and vehicles</li><li>Identification checks</li><li>Drill exercises</li><li>Blank firing</li><li>Catering and bar in a heated marquee</li><li>Liberation Festival Pilsen 2025” presentation</li></ul></li><li>All day&nbsp;| Concerts in the Reenactment Camp<ul><li>10.00 am - 6.00 pm: “Piper's Phil”, bagpipe player, strolls around the site</li><li>12.30 - 1.30 pm: 40-piece orchestra (former Dutch military)</li><li>10.30 am - 11.15 am en 12.15 - 1.00 pm: period musical interludes by “Mam'zèle Pauline"</li><li>12.00 - 4.30 pm: pipe band "Blue Stone Pipes and Drums" (8 bagpipes, 3 drums and 1 bass drum)</li><li>3.30 - 5.00 pm: concert by the group "Les Marie-Claire"</li></ul></li></ul>SUNDAY 15/12/2024 - BASTOGNE WAR MUSEUM<ul><li>9.00 am - 7.00 pm | Opening hours of the three Museum sites (shop and Bistrot de la Paix included)</li><li>10.30 am - 12.30&nbsp;| Signing sessions with 2 actors from “Band of Brothers" serie (Shane Taylor &amp; Robin Laing) &amp; historian John McManus ("Alamo in the Ardennes)</li><li>In the morning | Signing session with American veterans<ul><li>Jack Moran (87th Infantry Division)</li><li>Ed Cottrell (9th Air Force)</li></ul></li><li>3.00 pm | Meet &amp; Greet with 2 American veterans, 1 actor and 1 produceur from "Band of Brothers" serie followed by a signing session<ul><li>Dennis Boldt, 98 (Battle of Normandy, Battle of the Bulge and Siegfried Line campaign)</li><li>Reid Clanton, 100, 84th Infantry Division (Battle of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge)</li><li>Alex Sabga-Brady ('Frank Mellett' from the serie "Band of Brothers")</li><li>Ivan Schwarz (producer from the serie "Band of Brothers")</li></ul></li><li>During the day | Flight over the Mardasson by vintage fighter planes (time to be specified and activity dependent on weather conditions)</li><li>All day | Workshops on code-breaking (with an “Enigma” machine), map-reading, radio transmissions, etc</li><li>All day | Signing sessions by Battle of the Bulge authors</li><li>All day | Lectures by authors and historians of the Battle of the Bulge</li><li>All day | Presentation of unusual objects and his model by influencer Zoran, age 12</li><li>All day | Activities in the Reenactment Camp (period American and German military camps)<ul><li>Presence of an American glider "Waco" (25m wingspan) and demonstration of loading and unloading of jeep "Willy's"</li><li>Over 100 American and German military figures</li><li>Exhibitions of period military equipment, tents and vehicles</li><li>Identification checks</li><li>Drill exercises</li><li>Blank firing</li><li>Catering and bar in a heated marquee</li><li>Liberation Festival Pilsen 2025” presentation</li></ul></li><li>All day&nbsp;| Concerts in the Reenactment Camp&nbsp;<ul><li>10.00 am - 1.00 pm: “Piper's Phil”, bagpipe player, strolls around the site</li><li>11.00 am - 1.00 pm : concert by “Thierry &amp; le Billabrac” (accordion &amp; percussion player)</li></ul></li></ul>

Belgium 

Nuts Weekend @ Bastogne War Museum

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of France, the Département du Var and the Musée National de la Marine in Toulon are joining forces to highlight the landings on the Var coast on 15 August 1944.The exhibition Operation Dragoon. 1944, the Provence landings in photographs features a large number of photographs from French, British and American institutions, illustrating the preparation and conduct of this major yet little-known event of the Second World War.Opposite: A convoy of ships carrying the men of the 1st Army Corps set sail from Naples for France in preparation for the Allied landings on the coast of Provence (Operation Anvil-Dragoon) in August 1944.July to August: 10am-6pm dailySeptember to June: 10am-6pm every day except TuesdayClosed on 25 December and 1 January

France

Operation Dragoon 1944, the Provence Landing in Photographs

Taken by local photographer Matt Sills during the museum’s veteran event held on 3 June 2024 during the D-Day 80 commemorations.Free admission to the exhibition which will run until 18 January 2025.

United Kingdom

The lucky ones grow old

The relationship between love and war is intimate and as old as mankind. Under the threat of death, life and love are experienced much more intensely. World War II affected the love life of a whole generation of people. They - as always - got butterflies in their stomachs: in the air-raid shelter, in hiding, at the front or simply on the streets. The 'Love in wartime' exhibition, from 5 June 2024 to 30 March 2025, shows how people found each other under difficult circumstances. And how feelings can overcome everything. After all, what is 'right' or 'wrong' in love? In the 'Love in Wartime' exhibition, we see war from its most intimate, human side. From a boy who met his first boyfriend during forced labour in Germany to a newly married couple who survived Auschwitz, always looking for a sign that the other was still alive. These personal love stories often had major consequences, such as: the journey of thousands of wartime brides to and from the Netherlands, the at least as many children fathered by an Allied or German soldier, the persecution of homosexuals and large-scale paid love in the war years. Behind special curtains, adults can even peek into stories about wartime sex and admire vibrators from the 1940s.Love in Wartime is a unique exhibition that immerses visitors in the atmosphere of a cosy 1940s street with fully historically decorated rooms on either side. Behind one door is a living room, behind the other a hiding place or a café celebrating the liberation. This makes the exhibition an adventurous experience for young and old. The exhibition 'Love in wartime' is inspired by Steffie van den Oord's book of the same name, available in new print from 4 June 2024.The Freedom Museum shows the passionate story of love with unique masterpieces such as sheet music, diaries, love letters and wedding dresses. An intimate exhibition with never-before-seen material that will make your heart beat faster!

The Netherlands

Love in Wartime

A great range of lectures for lovers of local history! Those interested in the stories of the Second World War will have an extra treat this year with lectures by Christ Klep (known from the NOS Liberation News, among others), Erwin van Loo and Kees Slager. These lectures are centred on the municipality of Steenbergen's ‘𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑛 80 𝑗𝑎𝑎𝑟 𝑣𝑟𝑖𝑗’ programme.A lecture on the discovery of a box of old Steenbergen sheet music and the story of 100 years of Sinterklaas in Steenbergen complete the cycle.26 April: Music Unites!By Hanneke Meulblok with music by Claudia de Groen2 May: The Liberation of West BrabantBy Christ Klep31 May: The Air War over West BrabantBy Erwin van Loo13 June: In distress one gets to know one's friendsBy Kees Slager22 November: Saint Nicholas in SteenbergenBy Ad Vermeulen

Lecture series Steenbergen

Many of you visited this great event in 2023! See you in December 2024 for the 80th anniversary!US &amp; German campsReconstructed field hospitalRadio and communications stationExhibition of period vehiclesConvoy of vehicles and tanksVisit to the Manhay History 44 MuseumReconstructed battlefield with pyrotechnic showWWII shop and military exchangeMass for the fallenTributes to the liberatorsMusical entertainment 40/45Bar and catering on siteMarquee all weekendFree admissionDetailed programme and meal registration: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.ardennes-history-remember.be/evenement-2023/">http://www.ardennes-history-remember.be/evenement-2023/</a><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="video" width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ov5tKdwdzUw" start="0"></iframe></div>

Ardennes History Remember 44/45 - Manhay 80th anniversary

10.30am in Sadzot: convoy of historic vehicles11am: unveiling of a monument to the 75th US Infantry DivisionFrom 12 noon to 1pm in Erezée: exhibition of historic vehicles

Commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge - Sadzot-Erezée

Village of Amonines (Rue du Home): Reconstruction of German positions of the 116th Panzerdivision.

Hogan's 400: Nuts! - Amonines

This section is open to the public in the commune of Marcouray. Come and see how these soldiers found themselves surrounded and how they stood up to the Panzer Division. This event is honoured by the return of the family of Colonel Samuel Hogan and PFC Harry Guidry to Marcouray, in commemoration of their courage during the Second World War. The day will be punctuated by events and a historical exhibition.Programme for the day:Activities in the village: Historical re-enactments by actors in period costume, recreating key moments in the American troops' passage through Marcouray. Interactive workshops for children with educational activities on the Second World War.Exhibition at Marcouray church: Exhibition of photos and accounts of the history of the Hogans 400.Practical information:Free admission.Food stalls available throughout the event.Free parking at the entrance to the village.Visitors are encouraged to come in period civilian costumes to better immerse themselves in the historical atmosphere.

Hogan's 400: Nuts! - Marcouray

Around 5pm on Christmas Eve, all the lights will be up and lit. From then until Boxing Day, the lights will be on and the cemeteries will be open to the public.

Evening of lights

Located in the heart of Zeeland, this museum focuses on the decisive Battle of the Scheldt in 1944. Through personal stories, rare photos, and interactive exhibits, you’ll get a glimpse into the hardships faced by civilians and soldiers during the invasion, resistance, persecution, and liberation.🚶‍♀️Stroll through the Liberation Park and dive into the Roosevelt Experience, a powerful reflection on the impact of war and the importance of freedom.

Liberation Museum Zeeland

The following days saw intense fighting along the Axel-Hulst Canal, and in Hulst, German forces used the 60-meter tower of the Saint Willibrordus basilica as a strategic point—only after twenty direct hits did the spire collapse. ⛪️Today, the Polish Field of Honor in Axel’s General Cemetery commemorates the Polish soldiers who died in the fight for liberation. 🙏

Commemorate the end of WWII – 80 years later

Featured events

Nuts Weekend @ Bastogne War Museum

Operation Dragoon 1944, the Provence Landing in Photographs

The lucky ones grow old

Love in Wartime

Next events

Lecture series Steenbergen

Ardennes History Remember 44/45 - Manhay 80th anniversary

Nuts Weekend @ Bastogne War Museum

Commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge - Sadzot-Erezée

Hogan's 400: Nuts! - Amonines

Hogan's 400: Nuts! - Marcouray

The lucky ones grow old

Evening of lights

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Four lesser-known WWII stories from Gelderland

Battle of the Scheldt – A costly Allied advance on the Western Front

Hiking & Cycling Routes in Zeeland

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