Airborne at the Bridge

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Airborne at the Bridge

The Battle of Arnhem, the biggest airborne landing operation of the Second World War, took place in and around Arnhem in September 1944. It formed part of Operation Market Garden. The goal of the Operation was for Polish, British and American airborne forces to capture the important bridges across the Dutch rivers so that ground troops could advance via these bridges. But the Operation failed…

Airborne at the Bridge introduces you to this violent chapter in our history and provides food for thought. This location stands for freedom and for the commemoration of everyone who fought for our freedom. With its phenomenal view of the world-famous John Frost Bridge, Airborne at the Bridge tells its visitors the personal stories of the British lieutenant John Grayburn, the German Hauptsturmführer Viktor Eberhard Gräbner and the Dutch captain Jacob Groenewoud who fought and died here during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944.

 

Tourist information  

Airborne at the Bridge is a new reception location for the city of Arnhem. Here we can receive our visitors and the inhabitants of the city; the Tourist Office information kiosk has up-to-date information about events in the city and the region. Our hosts and hostesses are happy to provide you with information about Operation Market Garden and other locations related to this theme. The shop offers attractive souvenirs and special gifts.

Airborne at the Bridge is an annex of the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ in Oosterbeek. In the Airborne Museum, you can discover the whole story of the Battle of Arnhem. This museum is housed in Villa Hartenstein, which was the headquarters of the British in 1944. In the underground Airborne Experience you can follow in the footsteps of a British parachutist. Temporary exhibitions shed new perspectives on the Battle of Arnhem.

Airborne at the Bridge

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Operation Market Garden was one of the largest Allied operations of the Second World War. It aimed to secure the bridges over the rivers Maas (Meuse), Waal and Rhine in the Netherlands in order to outflank the heavy German defences of the Siegfried Line and to insure a swift advance towards Berlin.

Hans Kuik

Hans Kuik was born on 19 November 1926. Together with his older brother, Bert, he witnessed the attack on and occupation of the Netherlands by German forces in May 1940. Both decided to join an underground resistance group called the ‘Rolls Royce Club’.

Karl-Heinz Kracht

Karl-Heinz Kracht was a 19 year old German corporal, who first saw action during the Battle of Arnhem. He was the loader of a Panzer III tank, which took part in the attacks on the British positions at the north end of the Rhine bridge at Arnhem.

Werner Kruger

Werner Krüger was a German soldier serving with the 9th SS-Panzerdivision Hohenstaufen. In September 1944 he and his tank crew were involved in the fighting around Arnhem and Oosterbeek during Operation Market Garden.
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