Martin tower Liberation routesThe Martinus tower in the small town of Gennep is a permanent reminder of WW2 and lets us know that peace and freedom cannot be taken for granted. It is the only tower on the Meuse River from Mook to Roermond that survived the war. When retreating behind the Meuse, the Wehrmacht blew up the church towers on the left bank of the Meuse and placed lookouts in the towers on the right bank of the Meuse. These towers were then smashed by Allied artillery. All but one: the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower">Gennep's Martinus tower</a>.The tower was on the front line from September 1944 to February 1945. Had one been in the spire in September 1944, one would have seen thousands of paratroopers and hundreds of Gliders land over neighbouring Groesbeek as part of Operation Market Garden. On 8 February, the front moved again. More than 1,000 guns shelled the neighbouring Reichswald forest and one could have watched from the tower as a roller of steel and fire swept across the great forest. Operation Veritable, the last major battle on the western front, had begun.Today, the Martinus Tower is a visitor centre with many reminders of this time. In particular, the Martinus Tower Liberation Routes, with starting and finishing points at the Martinus Tower, show the numerous traces of the tough battle in the region. The routes include the largest and second largest war museums in the Netherlands (Overloon and Groesbeek). The British Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Kriegsgräberstätte Donsbrügen, among others, are located in and near the Reichswald. The routes pass numerous monuments and ruins and 14 audio spots/listening boulders tell the special stories at these locations.The 8 Martinustoren Liberation Routes can be found on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route">Martinustoren website</a>. On the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom">Liberation Route website</a>, one can find another special route: Gennep and the price of freedom.The routes go through 4 beautiful Natura 2000 landscapes: the St Jansberg, the Reichswald, the Maasduinen and the Maasheggen.Entry to the Martinustoren visitor centre is free.&nbsp;Gennep's Martinus tower<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower">https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower</a>Martin tower Liberation routes<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route">https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route</a>Gennep and the price of freedom<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom">https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Netherlands

Martin tower Liberation routes

With the performance ‘We'll meet again’, singing trio The Forces Sweethearts reflects on 80 years of freedom in the Netherlands. Memories are brought to life thanks to beautiful stories and anecdotes from the time surrounding World War II. All this will be framed musically by music from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Think of the big hits by Vera Lynn, Doris Day and, of course, The Andrews Sisters. Do you remember them? ‘Bei mir bist du schon’, ‘Rum and coca cola’, ‘Those were the days’ and of course ‘We'll meet again’! Thanks to their beautiful three-part vocals, swinging dance moves and stylish outfits, The Forces Sweethearts will make this performance a feast of recognition and allow us to reflect together on this special milestone.

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again'- 80 years freedom

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

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

With the performance ‘We'll meet again’, singing trio The Forces Sweethearts reflects on 80 years of freedom in the Netherlands.Memories are brought to life thanks to beautiful stories and anecdotes from the time surrounding World War II.All this will be framed musically by music from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Think of the big hits by Vera Lynn, Doris Day and, of course, The Andrews Sisters. Do you remember them? ‘Bei mir bist du schon’, ‘Rum and coca cola’, ‘Those were the days’ and of course ‘We'll meet again’!Thanks to their beautiful three-part vocals, swinging dance moves and stylish outfits, The Forces Sweethearts will make this performance a feast of recognition and allow us to reflect together on this special milestone.

Theatreconcert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

Quiz sur la thématique de la Bataille des Ardennes, animé par Christian Dujardin - dans le cadre du 80ème anniversaire de la Bataille des ArdennesLieu : Salle de Village de Mont (Houffalize)

Belgium 

Quiz sur la Bataille des Ardennes

Half-marathon across both banks of the Meuse between the bridges at Grave and Heumen, which were of great importance during World War II. Entry fee: €15.00.

Bridge2Bridgerun

Film documentaire tout public de Joey Van MeesenDurée de la projection : 1h - Suivie d’une rencontre avec l’équipe du film et des chercheursLe 25 décembre 1944, un B-24 s’écrase dans les prés de Lafosse. Victor Yansenne, alors âgé de 6 ans, est témoin de l’accident, ce qui lui a laissé une marque indélébile.Par la suite, il veille à ce que le site reste intact et commence à mener ses recherches pour découvrir qui était dans l’avion. En juin 2013, il lance un appel à la communauté Manhaydoise et trouve l’aide d’un groupe de chercheurs. En novembre 2017, le groupe finit par identifier le B-24 perdu de Lafosse et ses passagers. Le film retrace leur incroyable histoire.Réservation conseillée.En partenariat avec SNAFU Docs, Footsteps Researchers, Battle of the Bulge Tours

"The ghost plane of Lafosse" - Projection et rencontre 

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.

Martin tower Liberation routes

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again'- 80 years freedom

Lecture series Steenbergen

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

Theatreconcert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

Quiz sur la Bataille des Ardennes

Bridge2Bridgerun

"The ghost plane of Lafosse" - Projection et rencontre

Evening of lights

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Martin tower Liberation routes

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again'- 80 years freedom

Lecture series Steenbergen

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

Theatreconcert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

Quiz sur la Bataille des Ardennes

Bridge2Bridgerun

"The ghost plane of Lafosse" - Projection et rencontre

Evening of lights

Register your event on Europe Remembers