Arnhem, Operation Market Garden and the Rhine Crossings

A Bridge Too Far and a Bridge Intact

Tour Introduction

This tour follows the Market Garden Corridor - 'Hell's Highway' to Arnhem. It relates what it was like to experience a German tank ambush on the road to Eindhoven at Valkensvaard, and the American parachute coup de main parachute assault on the Grave Bridge. The brutal fight for the massive road bridge across the Waal at Nijmegen is brought to life from the perspective of the SS defenders of the Nijmegen citadel. Hear of the nail-biting river crossing by American paratroopers, under intense fire, with only plywood and canvas boats and of Sgt Robinson's daring Sherman tank rush at the bridge, despite its obvious preparation for demolition. We also hear the heroic story of British Paratroopers at Arnhem and learn why it became a ‘bridge too far'.

Finally we move on to the Rhine where we explore the dramatic yet decisive Allied crossings of the river under Operations Plunder and Lumberjack before finishing at Remagen where we learn about the capture of the intact Ludendorff Bridge.

Highlights

• Visit the sites where airborne forces were dropped including Grave, Son, Nijmegen and Arnhem
• Explore some of the best military history museums in the region including the Hartstein Museum (Arnhem) and Peace Museum (Remagan)
• Visit the sites of fierce street fighting in Arnhem and the stories of extreme bravery in the battle
• Trace the movement of Allied armies in the Rhineland at Rees, Wesel and Remagen
• See where Pershing and Tiger tanks first clashed at Elsdorf
• Ponder the absence of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen and the events of March 1945

What's Included

3 & 4 Star Hotels
Return Eurostar Plus from London (optional)
Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
Dedicated Tour Manager
Expert historians throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
The company of like-minded travelers
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner
Helpful and friendly travel advice
Access to the Cultural Experience app
Tour information booklet
Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach

Tour Details

To be confirmed

Background

In August 1944 Paris was liberated, symbolising a significant milestone in ending the war. However there was no time to rest on laurels and the allies planned another huge airborne offensive into the heart of Holland. The ultimate aim was to secure bridges over the Meuse and Ruhr rivers which would allow armour to cross into the territory in preparation for the advance deep into Germany itself. On 17th September 1944 the 1st and 82nd US Airborne Divisions and the 1st British Airborne Division landed by parachute and glider and succeeded in capturing the target bridges under Operation Market Garden (Market – airborne forces; Garden – land forces). But the advance stalled at Arnhem which meant the Ruhr couldn’t be secured and ended any hopes of finishing the war by Christmas.

In 1945 a concerted attempt to cross the Rhine was made and under Operation Lumberjack (1 – 25 March) the Allies managed to capture the strategic Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen intact and establish a firm bridgehead. This was followed by Operation Plunder (23 – 27 March) when over a million soldiers from three nations succeeded in establishing further bridgeheads. With Allied forces on German soil the days of the Reich were numbered.

"A bad plan right from the start and right from the top"

British historian Antony Beevor on Operation Market Garden

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Tour Diary

Take a look at some of the images taken on our most recent tour