In broad daylight the three parachute infantry regiments of the 101st Airborne Division descended with amazing accuracy on designated drop zones in Nazi-occupied Holland. It was September 17, 1944, and the Screaming Eagles were to play a vital role in Operation Market-Garden.

The 101ste Airborne Division during Market garden

Key to the success of  Market Garden would be the seizure of bridges across rivers and adjacent canals by the airborne troops and swift movement of ground forces up a single highway, spanning roughly 60 miles from the Allied lines in Belgium to the Dutch town of Arnhem. The troops would hold the bridges until relief appeared in the form of the British XXX Corps charging down the single road, crossing the bridges successively and arriving at Arnhem as the vanguard of a larger force pushing southeast into Germany.

Dutch civilians with 101st Airborne Division Paratroopers during Operation Market Garden.

The 101st Airborne Division would secure the southern most bridges, including one over the Wilhelmina Canal at the town of Son, a pair spanning the Dommel River at St. Oedenrode and then four more over the Aar River near the town of Veghel. Eindhoven was also to be captured while the men of the 101st held open 15 miles of the road toward Arnhem for the XXX Corps’ use. By the end of their service in Market-Garden, the men of the 101st Airborne Division would refer to this stretch of road as ‘Hell’s Highway’.

Although it became apparent that Market-Garden was a strategic failure, the men of the 101st Airborne Division could say that they had done their part admirably.

The northern flank of the Allied armies was extended 65 miles across two canals and the Maas and Waal rivers, while a considerable amount of Dutch territory had been freed from Nazi occupation. The division had killed many Germans and captured 3,511, while suffering 2,110 casualties itself.

This tour takes you by car/ bus from the Neerpelt bridgehead up to Eindhoven and beyond to Son and Veghel. Basically we will follow the route of XXX Corps advancing to link up with the airborne troops. This route, also known als Central Line or Club Route, or even better known as Hell’s Highway, was continuously cut by German forces making both advance and lines of communication difficult and perilous.

Battlefield Tours offers battlefield tours for both private and mixed groups in Eindhoven and surroundings. Battlefield Tours can provide specific programs for larger groups, schools and scouting groups. The Battlefield Tour require motorized transport because of distance and tour length. Battlefield Tours can provide transport for groups up to 8 persons. But if you feel more comfortable in your own car, you can follow us using your car also. Groups larger than 8 persons will have to provide for (additional) transport themselves. The tour takes a full day.

Tour highlights*

• 

  Memorial Eerde

  Drop-and landingzones at Son, Eerde and misdrop at Heeswijk-Dinther

• Joe Mann monument
• Bridges at Son, Best, Sint-Oedenrode, Eindhoven, Eerde and Veghel.
• Eerde Wind-Will
• The battle for Best
• Museum ‘Wings of Liberation’ in Best
• Bailey bridge at Son
• Fighting for Eerde
• Fighting’s at the sand dunes 501 & 502 PIR
• Road cut at Koevering
• Fighting around Veghel and Black Friday
• Monument Lieutenant Colonel Robert George Cole

*Depends on which tour you choose

Duration
The tours in Eindhoven and surroundings takes a full day. Combination with other tours into a multiple day tour is possible.

Possible tour days
Our private tours can be booked all year round and all week to availability.

Price, bookings and payment
Different prices for a private tour may apply depending on group size. Prices, terms and conditions can be found here. You can easily book the tour via the booking form on this page, or by contacting us directly. By submitting a booking you agree to our terms and conditions. After receipt of you booking request we will verify availability on the tour date(s) requested. If needed we will contact you to discuss details or other options. Presuming a requested tour date is possible we will sent you a confirmation email containing an invoice stating the total amount due and the deposit amount (if applicable) needed to complete your booking. Full payment is due 10 days prior to the start date of the tour.

Transport and pick up location
This is a bus tour. We start the Battlefield Tour from the central train station in Eindhoven. If you arrive by plane, you will probably fly to Schiphol, Amsterdam’s airport. The easiest way to get to Eindhoven is by train. There is a train from Schiphol to Eindhoven, which leaves every hour. You can plan your train trip using the journey planner of the Dutch railways. You should select Schiphol as your departure station and Eindhoven as your destination. Overnight accommodation is possible in Eindhoven or Nijmegen. Book overnight accommodation via this website.

American Army Newsreel about Market Garden