“Asparagus Barrier” Monument
In 1940, the German occupiers broke through the Peel-Raam Line via the “Duits Lijntje.” An armored train derailed at the asparagus barrier in Mill. The damage to the tracks is still visible today and tells the story of that surprising turn of events in the battle.
Trains used the ‘Duits Lijntje’ to transport goods and passengers. During World War II, the route took on a different function. In 1940, the German occupiers stormed into the Netherlands here, right through the defensive line (Peel-Raamstelling) near Mill. This took the Dutch army by surprise, causing them to be too late—the asparagus barrier (a concrete block with iron posts protruding from it) was not yet finished. But… the German train came back! The commander on duty had lost radio contact with headquarters. And voilà: the occupiers drove straight into the barrier after all, causing the armored train to derail. You can still see the damage to the tracks here.
This text has been translated using AI.