#Landmark

The railway viaduct

The railway viaduct located along the Arnhem-Nijmegen train line dates back to the period of 1875 to 1878, when the railway was constructed. This viaduct has played a significant role during operation Market Garden on multiple occasions.

On 10 May 1940, during the German invasion of the Netherlands, Dutch soldiers blew up the viaduct to delay the advance of German troops. The destruction of the viaduct was intended to disrupt enemy forces and buy time for the Dutch defence.

Later on, after the viaduct was repaired, in September 1944 it once again became a battleground during the Battle of Arnhem, part of the larger Operation Market Garden. British troops from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, used this route in their attempt to reach the Rhine Bridge in Arnhem, a strategic point for the Allied forces. As the British and German troops advanced, fierce fighting broke out between them near the viaduct.

The scars of these intense struggles can still be seen today in the stone of the viaduct. As a silent witness to history, the structure has since been designated a municipal protected ‘martial object,’ serving as a lasting reminder of the fierce battles that took place here and the crucial role this viaduct played during the battle of Arnhem.

Benedendorpsweg 12-4, 6862 WJ Oosterbeek

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