Onthulling plaquette Sluisbrug Heumen

Across the Maas-Waal Canal in September 1944 were four bridges that would play a role in Operation Market Garden. These bridges were the target for the 1st Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which landed near Overasselt ( DZ Oboe) on 17 September.

The bridges near Malden, Hatert and the ‘’Honinghutje‘’ were blown up or destroyed by the Germans so that no military vehicles could cross them.

The southernmost and smallest bridge was located between Heumen and Molenhoek, near the sluice at the current Kapitein Postmalaan and Sluisweg. Local artist Jac Maris, as head of the regional resistance, had shown the Americans the way to this bridge.

Eventually this bridge, as the only one of the four, could be taken intact, which turned out to be essential for the liberation of Nijmegen.Across the Maas-Waal canal in September 1944 lay four bridges that would play a role in Operation Market Garden. These bridges were the objective for the 1st Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which landed near Overasselt (DZ Oboe) on 17 September.

The bridges near Malden, Hatert and the ‘Honinghutje’ were blown up or destroyed by the German army so that no military vehicles could cross them.

The southernmost and smallest bridge was located between Heumen and Molenhoek, near the sluice at the current Kapitein Postmalaan and Sluisweg. Local artist Jac Maris, as head of the regional resistance, had shown the Americans the way to this bridge.

In the end, this bridge, the only one of the four, could be taken intact, which proved essential for the liberation of Nijmegen.

During the capture of the bridge, six American soldiers died viz.

• Blazina, Lawrence F (sgt)

• Burnett, Onie A (sld)

• Forein, Donald W (Sgt)

• Grainger, Fred (sld)

• Murphy, Jerry M (sld)

• Schutt, Edward J (sld)

On 19 September, the mayor, together with a representative of the American guests, will unveil a plaque at the existing memorial on the sluice ground, honouring these victims 80 years after the event.

At commemorations in future years, this will make it possible to pay attention to both the Dutch soldiers killed on 10 May 1940 and the American liberators on 17 September 1944.

Afterwards, a presentation on the wanderings of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment during WWII will take place in Terp village hall.

Wim Cousijn will take you along the various places where the men of the regiment were deployed during their three-year journey of 18,000 kilometres in the fight against the Germans.

Admission is free.