In the steps through the Maaskade Monument.

The monument to the Maaskade in Grave is a bronze parachute, which is draped over the quay wall. The monument is 2 meters 30 high and 70 centimeters wide.

The monument to the Maaskade reminds the inhabitants of Grave of the liberation on September 18, 1944 by the American 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Grave was liberated during Operation Market Garden. Operation 'Market Garden' was a major offensive from 17 to 26 September 1944, with which the Allies wanted to conquer a bridgehead from Belgium over the great rivers in the Netherlands. Airborne troops had to secure bridges in North Brabant and Gelderland in a lightning-fast attack. Three complete divisions were dropped: the 101st US Airborne Division at Son (north of Eindhoven) and Veghel, the 82nd US Airborne Division near Grave and Groesbeek (east of Nijmegen) and the 1st British Airborne Division west of Oosterbeek. Later, the landing of the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade at Driel also followed. From Belgium, the British 30th Corps had to advance to the IJsselmeer via the captured bridges.

During the operation, Reuben Tucker's 504th PIR was tasked to take the almost 600-meter-long Maas Bridge near Grave (Now named the Thompson Bridge). On September 17, 1944, the road bridge was approached from both sides by the paratroopers. By landing close to the southern side, the enemy was surprised and the Allied troops were able to take possession of the ramp at lightning speed. After that, the northern side was also taken and General Gavin was informed that 'bridge 11' had been captured. By evening, the Allies reached the city of Grave. The town hall was set up as a command post of the 2nd Battalion of the 504th PIR.

The monument was unveiled on May 4, 1987.

Source: https://www.4en5mei.nl/oorlogsmonumenten/zoeken/1403/grave-monument-aan-de-maaskade

https://oorlogsgravenstichting.nl/monumenten/grave-monument-aan-de-maaskade

Traces of War

The text on the folded parachute is written in Dutch and reads:

AAN DE OVERZIJDE VAN DE MAAS
LANDDE OP 17 SEPT. 1944
HET 504DE REGIMENT
VAN DE 82E AIRBORNE DIVISIE

UIT GEHEEL AMERIKA KWAMEN JONGE MANNEN
WAARVAN SOMMIGEN NAUWELIJKS VOLWASSEN
OM ONS DE VRIJHEID TE BRENGEN,
ALLEMAAL AMERIKANEN
WIJ ZULLEN HEN NOOIT VERGETEN.

The English transaltion:

'ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MEAS
LANDED ON SEPT. 17. 1944
THE 504TH REGIMENT
OF THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION

YOUNG MEN CAME FROM  AMERICA
MANY VERY YOUNG
TO BRING US FREEDOM,
ALL AMERICANS
WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEM.