On the right side of the monument.

One of two Allied monuments in a small memorial plot originally erected around a statue in memory of 24 Netherlands Soldiers who died defending the Heumen lock bridge against German invasion in 1940.

Information plaque, mounted on a rough stone base, recalls Allied combat operations to seize Heumen lock bridge during Operation MARKET GARDEN in September 1944.

Across the Maas-Waal Canal in September 1944 were four bridges that would play a role in Operation MARKET GARDEN. These bridges were the target for the 1st Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, which landed near Overasselt ( DZ OBOE) on 17 September 1944.

Germans blew up or destroyed the bridges near Malden, Hatert, and the Honinghutje, so that no military vehicles could cross them. The southernmost and smallest bridge, a vertical-lift bridge known as Bridge Number 7 (in American attack plans), the Molenhook bridge or Heumen lock bridge, was located between Heumen and Molenhoek, near the sluice at the current intersection of Kapitein Postmalaan and Sluisweg. Local artist Jac Maris, as head of the regional resistance, had shown the Americans the way to this bridge. On deploying after landing, American forces were well positioned to attack the bridge from both sides, but the Germans stood their ground until nightfall.

Eventually, this bridge, as the only one of the four, could be taken intact, turned out to be essential for the liberation of Nijmegen. This was the only bridge heavy British vehicles could use to get to Nijmegen.

Source of information: traces of war

Point 35 - Liberation ROUTE

0900 54 23 728

www.liberationroute.com

Left column text:

The region Arnhem Nijmegen played a central role at the end of the Second World War. One of the largest airborne landings ever took place here during Operation Market Garden. The end of the liberation started here too: the Rhineland Offensive. Military and civilians participated in war rouilette, involving survival or death, happiness and sadness. You will hear their experiences during the Liberation Route. You can download the story of this location at www.liberationroute.com or listen on an MP3 player, which can be rented at the VVV Arnhem, VVV Nijmegen, the National Liberation Museum and the Airborne Museum.

Right column text:

Bridges are of utmost importance for the allied advance. The Molenhook bridge, as the Americans refer to the old bridge at the lock in Heumen, had to be taken undamaged on 17 September 1944 come what may. The German troops put up fierce resistance and there were many dead and wounded. Bridge number 7 in the American plan of attack was nevertheless taken fully intact.

Airborne Museum Hartenstein Utrechtseweg 252 in Oosterbeek, www.airbornemuseum.nl +

National Bevrijdingsmuseum 1944-1945, Wylerbaan4 in Croesbeek, www.bevrijdungsmuseum.nl

More history: Exciting History - The Historical Experience Network in the Arnhem Nijmegen region - www.spgs.nl

The Liberation Route has partly been made possible thanks to contributions by the Province of Gelderland and municipalities in Gelderland and Noord Limburg