Sint-Oedenrode, Son en Breugel, Eerde

The Liberation Routes Brabant are eight cycle routes, spread throughout the province, that take you past the stories of World War II and liberation. Operation Market Garden was one of the biggest operations of this war, carried out by the Allies. An ambitious and heroic airborne operation...

With hundreds of humming planes, the Allies approached over North Brabant on 17 September 1944. Thousands of British, American and Polish paratroopers descended. Residents around Son and Breugel did not know what they were seeing.

The intention was that the airborne troops (Operation Market) would capture the bridges in Brabant and Gelderland, after which they would be taken over by ground troops (Operation Garden). In this way, they aimed to reach Arnhem and eventually the German Ruhr. Timing was very important in this mission, but it was not yet easy. Resistance from the German military was fierce and pouring rain hampered the advance of the ground troops.

A race against time over a route later called Hell's Highway.

Cycle this impressive route and honour the brave battle and sacrifice made by the Allies at the listening columns and monuments. Can you imagine how airborne troops flew overhead here?

Photo: ©Albert Krochka, via VisitBrabant Routebureau