After the failure to capture the Arnhem Bridge, thousands of British airborne troops withdrew into a defensive pocket around Oosterbeek. For more than a week they fought against overwhelming German forces before the survivors were evacuated across the Rhine during Operation Berlin.

3-inch mortar team of No.23 Mortar (Handcarts) Platoon of Support Company, 1st Border Regiment, 1st Airborne Division, in action in the Oosterbeek perimeter, 21 September 1944.

Of the more than 10,000 men who had landed during Operation Market Garden, only around 3,600 fighting troops remained to defend the Oosterbeek Perimeter. Exhausted after days of continuous combat, many suffered from a lack of food, ammunition and sleep. Yet despite these hardships, the airborne troops managed to hold their positions against repeated German attacks supported by artillery, tanks and self-propelled guns.

Oosterbeek Perimeter – Operation Market Garden
The 1st Airborne Division had never been intended to fight a prolonged battle against such overwhelming opposition. The costly attempts to reach Arnhem Bridge had taken a heavy toll. Within the perimeter, however, the British and Polish airborne troops were finally able to fight the type of defensive battle for which they had been extensively trained. For more than a week, the defenders held out under increasingly desperate conditions. By 25 September, with no prospect of relief and the perimeter steadily shrinking, the decision was made to evacuate the surviving troops across the Rhine. During the night of 25–26 September, Operation Berlin was launched. In darkness and heavy rain, the exhausted soldiers followed taped routes leading to the river, where Canadian and British engineers ferried them to safety on the southern bank.

The evacuation was fraught with danger. Many soldiers became separated from their units in the darkness and were captured before reaching the river. Of the more than 12,000 British and Polish airborne troops who had taken part in Operation Market Garden, only about 2,300 men escaped across the Rhine. The Battle of Arnhem had come to an end. As history would remember it, Arnhem proved to be ‘A Bridge Too Far’.

Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’

During this Battlefield Tour, we will walk along the perimeter in Oosterbeek and we visit some places that remind us of this dark period in history. During this walk of five miles an expert guide gives explanations about the events in September 1944 and shows the traces of these battles that are still visible after 83 years. The Lunch will be served at restaurant Schoonoord, this former hotel was used in 1944 as an Regimental Aid Post.

Airborne Museum Hartenstein
After the lunch we will visit the Airborne Museum Hartenstein. The monumental nineteenth-century villa – the headquarters of the British Airborne Division in September 1944 – holds 1,700 square metres of history and experience. The underground Airborne Experience (900 m²) allows you to follow in the footsteps of British parachutists as they make their way to Arnhem in September 1944.

Retrace the steps of the airborne forces of the famous 1st British Airborne Division during Operation Market Garden, relive the sights, sounds, and smells of war as you visit the buildings, forests and dugouts where soldiers suffered unimaginably, fought ferociously, and earned the highest awards of bravery.

In Oosterbeek we offer walking tours led by an experience guide. Most walking tours in Oosterbeek last approximately 2.5 hours. The entire perimeter tour including museum visit lasts an entire day.

17-pdr anti-tank gun nearby the Airborne Museum Hartenstein.

Tour highlights

• Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ Oosterbeek
• Hemelse berg (Foxholes)
• Van Lennepweg Oosterbeek
• Benedendorpsweg Oosterbeek
• Oosterbeek Church 
• Kate ter Horst house
• Hotel de Tafelberg
• Hotel Schoonoord (restaurant)

Duration
The tours in Oosterbeek 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 walking tour. We start the Battlefield Tour from the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ Utrechtseweg 232 in Oosterbeek. If you arrive by plane, you will probably fly to Schiphol, Amsterdam’s airport. The easiest way to get to Arnhem is by train. There is a train from Schiphol to Arnhem, 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 Arnhem as your destination. From the Central Station you can take bus number 1 or 352. The journey to Oosterbeek takes about 20 minutes. Overnight accommodation is possible in Arnhem. Book overnight accommodation via this website.

British Army Newsreel about the Battle of Arnhem