Liberation route Son en Breugel
Hear the hum of hundreds of planes and watch the thousands of falling parachutes. That's what the inhabitants around Son en Breugel experienced on 17 September 1944.
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Hear the hum of hundreds of planes and watch the thousands of falling parachutes. That's what the inhabitants around Son en Breugel experienced on 17 September 1944. Discover places that will tell you all about the heroic battle of Operation Market Garden, such as the Wings of Liberation museum. Read, hear and experience stories of sacrifice, but also of moments where the war could briefly be forgotten. And stories about bewildered Germans and the allied race against the clock to relieve their comrades.
The Liberation Route Brabant tells the story of the liberation, but also shows what the Second World War was like for ordinary people who lived in Brabant at the time. Eight cycling routes, spread across North Brabant, lead you past the Brabant Remembers stories, the Liberation Route Europe audio columns, monuments and museums. Together they make the impact of the war on North Brabant clear, even all these years later.
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Signposting Liberation Route Brabant
Follow the signs marked ‘Liberation Route’. These are located below the regular junction signs.
Signposting Liberation Route Brabant
Follow the signs marked ‘Liberation Route’. These are located below the regular junction signs.
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Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Tips from Brabant residents
Skip map elementsLocations on this route
Museum Wings of Liberation
Follow in the footsteps of the 101st Airborne Division and relive the story that led to the liberation of the southern Netherlands. “Here you are reminded of a time that we should never forget,” one visitor said.
Hiding Place Farm Sonniuswijk
From September 18, 1944, the area around Son and Breugel became restless.
Henkenshage Castle
During Operation Market Garden, the castle became General Taylor’s headquarters for the 101st Airborne Division.
Castle Henkenshage
Although the small castle still shows some masonry from 1450, its current appearance is dominated by the quasi-medieval alterations made in 1850.
Airborne Monument
This monument is located in the side wall of the former Sint-Oedenrode town hall. It was established in memory of the eleven paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division who died during the liberation and defence of Sint-Oedenrode. The Airborne monument wa
Monument to the Dutch
“Monument to the Dutch” is the only monument in the Netherlands that was donated by veterans of the 101st Airborne Division to the Dutch population in the liberated corridor.
Koeveringse Mill
Many mills in the south of the Netherlands were heavily damaged or even destroyed by acts of war in September 1944.
Spitfire Play Monument
During the Second World War, the Schijndel airfield was located here.
Village Départ
At the foot of Vlagheideberg you’ll encounter the Netherlands’ very first cycling village! It’s a unique cycling location and a hospitable spot where you can enjoy all things cycling all year round.
Eerdse molen - Windmill
The Eerdse Molen windmill was used by the Americans as an observation post. It was in a strategic position, which meant that the windmill frequently changed ‘users’.
Former Landing Area Eerde
The Second World War is marked by brutal violence and bloodshed. Every now and then, there is a glimmer of hope for peace and happiness. Love keeps people going.
De Vresselse Hut
The three routes that pass by bicycle café De Vresselse Hut make it a perfect stop off and/or lunch spot. De Vresselse Hut is also a recognised Brabant Nature Gate and thus part of a larger network.
Joe Mann Monument
The monument consists of four concrete columns, crowned with a statue of a pelican on its nest, with chicks.
Former Battlefield Forest Area Best
On September 18 and 19, 1944, incredibly fierce fighting took place in these woods.
Museum Wings of Liberation
Follow in the footsteps of the 101st Airborne Division and relive the story that led to the liberation of the southern Netherlands. “Here you are reminded of a time that we should never forget,” one visitor said.
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