80 years of freedom

This year marks the 80th anniversary of liberation in the Netherlands. As there has been heavy fighting around the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, the Second World War and at last the liberation from German occupation is an important theme in the region.

The Arnhem-Nijmegen region played a key role on the world stage towards the end of the Second World War. During Operation Market Garden in September 1944, the Ginkelse Heide heath close to Ede was the site of one of the biggest airborne landing operations in history. Parts of the southern Netherlands were liberated, as far as Nijmegen, but the operation ground to a dramatic halt at the bridge in Arnhem. The subsequent winter was harsh.

A few months later, in February 1945, the final phase of the liberation movement – Operation Veritable – started from the Nijmegen area. It marked the beginning of the great Rhineland Offensive. Soldiers and citizens alike became caught up in an unpredictable war in which the stakes were life or death, joy or sorrow. The enemy was eventually defeated and freedom was restored.

Read here more about the events, commemorations and itineraries regarding Operation Market Garden and the road to freedom.

Also get informed about what's going on concerning this theme by the staff of Citystore Rijk van Nijmegen.

Forward March!

Nijmegen's bridge called De Oversteek (‘The Crossing’), is named after the world-famous crossing of the River Waal by the U.S. 504th Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division in 1944. There are 48 lamp posts on the bridge in memory of the 48 fallen soldiers who lost their lives there. Every day at around sunset, the lamps on the bridge switch on at a slow marching pace. Every day, veterans and other people join in the ‘Sunset March’ across the De Oversteek bridge in honour of the fallen Allied soldiers. Feel free to take part if you wish – anyone can join in.
Commemorative plaques in the street

On 22 February, Nijmegen suffered severe damage during an air raid by the US forces. American bombers unleashed their deadly payloads above Nijmegen, destroying the historic heart of the city in one fell swoop. Over 800 civilians were killed as they were making their way to school, work or the market, and thousands more were injured. The commemorative plaques indicate the fire line following the bombing and show the names of the people who died.
In the footsteps of ...

Liberation Route Europe lets you hear and experience what went on in Gelderland during the final stages of the war. Special boulders, called listening spots, can be found in dozens of locations. An audio recording is available at each listening spot, so that everyone can get a sense of the dramatic situations experienced by civilians and soldiers towards the end of the Second World War.

Around the 80-year commemoration of the region's liberation, numerous activities are organized . They are conveniently listed on this page:
Freedom is not a given

The Colorfield Performance

Next to the Freedom Museum in Groesbeek, 336 panels will be set up in the shape of a V for “Peace and Victory. Every day different artists will come and paint their assigned panels.On April 28, the exhibition, which then consists entirely of blank canvases, will be opened outdoors. On May 1, the first artists will come to fill their panels with their view of peace.Check here for more information.

Freedom Museum

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.

From May 2 through November 30, the exhibit “Native Liberators” will be on display at the museum. In it, the history and cultural backgrounds of Native soldiers, from across North America, are comprehensively portrayed. What did choosing to fight in the war mean to them?

More information

Canadian Cemetery Groesbeek

This cemetery in Groesbeek contains 2,617 soldiers buried who died during World War II. It is the largest cemetery of the British Commonwealth in the Netherlands. Remarkably, all but one Canadian soldier who died during Operation Veritable were buried here and many were even reburied. Close to the cemetery entrance is a monument in the form of a wall of names commemorating 1,047 missing soldiers.

To mark 80 years of freedom, Faces to Graves is organizing the photo exhibition The Faces of Groesbeek at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. Photos will be placed near the graves to give an impression of the young men who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.

Exhibition dates:
Saturday, April 26, 2025 through Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Visit the website