Follow in the footsteps of Heroes
on an In The Footsteps®
Operation Market Garden Tour
Follow in the footsteps of the British XXX Corps fighting their way along Hell's Highway as they try
to reach the bridge over the River Rhine at Arnhem. Visit the places where the three Airborne Divisions
of the First Allied Airborne Airborne landed to secure the bridges along the route. Discuss the battles
of the American Airborne at Eindhoven, Son en Breugel, Best, Grave, Overasselt, Groesbeek and Nijmegen.
Walk the battlefields around Arnhem following the route taken by the British 1st Airborne Division.
Join one of our Expert guides on a tour of the Operation MARKET GARDEN battlefields, follow the battle
and see how it developed.
On Sunday, 17 September 1944 the Allies launched Operation Market Garden, a daring attempt to seize a
crossing over the River Rhine, when the three Airborne Divisions of the First Allied Airborne Army
dropped into Holland along the route that was to be taken by the British XX Corps. The Airborne element
of the operation was codenamed MARKET and the ground forces part codenamed GARDEN.
The US 101st 'Screaming Eagles' Division dropped towards the southern end of XXX Corps'
route intent on seizing the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal at Son en Breugel, the bridge across the
Zuid-Willemswaart Canal at Vehgel and the city of Einhoven. The US 82nd 'All American' Division
dropped towards the centre of XXX Corps' route to secure the bridges over the River Maas at Grave
and River Waal and city at Nijmagen. The British 1st Airborne Division had the job of seizing the
crossing over the River Rhine at Arnhem.
At 14.15 hrs the 300 guns supporting the advance of Lieutenant General Sir Brian Horrocks' XXX Corps
opened fire and the tanks of the Irish Guards, the spearhead of the Corps, rolled forward. Seven
squadrons of RAF Hawker Typhoons flew overhead and fired their rockets at all the known German positions
along the road to Valkenswaard. The leading tanks of the Irish Guards Group broke out of XXX Corps'
bridgehead on the Meuse-Escaut canal and crossed into the Netherlands around 15:00 hrs. Shortly after
crossing the border they were ambushed by German infantry and anti-tank guns that were dug in on both
sides of the main road.
Our 3-days / 2-nights Flexi Tour
Day 1: The American Airborne and the push up Hell's Highway
We begin the first day of your tour when we collect you from your agrred pick-up point in the local area
(e.g. a Rali Station or hotel reception) at 09:00 am.
Our first stop is at Lommel where the Guards Armoured Division, the spearhead of XXX Corps, crossed
JOE's Bridge over the Bocholt–Herentals Canal to begin their drive northwards up Hell's Highway.
From JOE's Bridge we follow Hell's Highway to Valkenswaard the place where XXX Corps spent the
first night.
From Valkenswaard we continue northwards along Hell's Highway to Eindhoven where we begin taking in
the key American Airborne sites. This will typically include the bridge at Son-en-Brugel, the bridge at
Grave, the Overasselt drop zone, the bridge at Heuman, Klein Amerika, Groesbeek and the bridge at
Nijmegen.
The day will end at approximately 17:30 hrs when we drop you off at your hotel.
Day 2: The British Airborne landings and the route into Arnhem
We depart to begin the second day of our tour from your hotel reception at 09:00 am.
Day two sees us following in the footsteps of the British Airborne at their drop zones and landing zones
and along their routes into Arnhem. We begin at the drop zone near Heelsum (DZ-X and DZ-Z) where the 1st
Parachute Brigade parachuted in on 17th September 1944. From the drop zones we head to Wolfheze and the
Psychiatric Insitute before continuing on to the Reijers Camp landing zone (LZ-S) where the 1st
Airlanding Brigade landed on 17th September 1944.
From LZ-S we follow in the footsteps of Major Gough's Reconnaissance Squadron as they tried to drive
down Route LEOPARD to Arnhem and the brisge. We then return to Wolfheze to head north up Wolfhezerweg to
the spot where R Company of the 1st Parachute Battalion came under heavy fire from the woods ahead.
We then continue on up Wolfhezerweg to the junction with Amsterdamesweg where we turn right to the
Ginkel Heath drop zone (DZ-Y) where the 4th Parachute Brigade jumped in on 18th September 1944.
From Ginkel Heath we retrace our steps to Wolfheze and on to the south east past the Hotel Wolfhezen
that was the headquarters of SS Training Battalion Krafft. We follow this roade down to join Route TIGER
close to the spot where General Kussin, the German commander of Arnhem, was killed on 17th September
1944. We then follow Route TIGER to the Koude Herberg Crossroads before heading back along Route TIGER
to Heelsum to join Route LION.
We then follow Route LION in to Oosterbeek where we visit the Airborne Museum. The visit to the Airborne
Museum bring to an end your second day and we drop you off at your hotel for approximately 17:30 hrs
Day 3: The Oosterbeek Perimeter, Arnhem Bridge and the withdrawal across the Neder-Rijn
We depart to begin the third day of our tour from your hotel reception at 09:00 am.
Day three sees us following in the footsteps of the British Airborne in the Oosterbeek Perimeter and at
Arnhem Bridge. This includes visiting Driel to look at the Polish Airborne's actions and the
withdrawal across the Neder-Rijn (Lower Rhine).
We begin day three exploring the Oosterbeek Perimeter visiting key locations including: Hartenstein,
Ommershof, the White House, the Medical Dressing Station, Tafelberg and Pietersberg, the Concert Hall,
Oosterbeek Church, the northern bank of the Lower Rhine and Acacialaan.
From the Oosterbeek Perimeter were head into Arnhem, stopping off at the St Elisabeth's Hospital
and house where Major General Roy Urquhart took refuge from the enemy. We then continue on to John Frost
Bridge (Arnhem Bridge) to discuss the epic fight for control of the bridge and the actions of Lieutenant
Colonel Frost's 2nd Parachute Battalion in the vicinity.
We then head south of the river to Driel where we discuss the actions of Major General Sosabowski's
1st Polish Parachute Brigade. From Driel we move to the southern bank of the Neder-Rijn (Lower Rhine) to
discuss the withdrawal from the Oosterbeek Perimeter.
Our following in the footsteps done, we head to the Oosterbeek Airborne Cemetery to pay our respects to
the fallen.
This brings your tour to an end and we return you to your pick-up point or other agreed local dropped
off location at approximately 17:30 hrs for your onward travel.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be
advised closer to the time of departure.
The cost of your tour
The typical cost for a 3-days / 2-nights Operation MARKET GARDEN Flexi Tour is £850.00 GBP * per
person.
This price per person are based upon:
- Two people sharing a twin/double room.
- A minimum of 4 people touring. If less than 4 people travelling we will produce a specific proposal for your consideration.
- Travel in a dedicate tour vehicle driven by our expert Battlefield Historian / Guide.
A supplement of £150.00 GBP * applies where single occupancy is required.
A deposit of 30% or £200.00 GBP per person, whichever is the greater, is payable on
booking.
A supplement may apply for anniversary dates to cover any increase in the associated costs.
Booking indicates your acceptance of our Tour Terms and Conditions
* The costs may vary from those shown above due to the availability and selection of hotels and
other associated costs, and variations in the exchange rate.
What your tour includes
- In-tour land travel only.
- 3-days escorted tour of the battlefields with one of our expert Battlefield Guides.
- Comprehensive touring of all the major battlefield sites, including many of the less frequently visited out-of-the-way sites.
- All museum admission fees.
- 2-nights accommodation at one of our 3-star partner hotels.
- The opportunity to visit specific cemeteries and graves within tour area (as agreed prior to your tour).
- The opportunity to discuss your battlefield travel plans with our expert team.
What your tour does not include
- Meals.
- Drinks.
- Personal expenses.
Optional Extras
All of our Flexi-date tours can have optional extras added to them. We can, for example, add any of the following to your tour: -
- Transfer to the battlefield area.
- Ferry crossings or Eurostar from the UK.
- Accommodation the night before the tour.
- Accommodation the night night after the tour.
- Lunches.
- Full-board.
- All inclusive.
- Additional days.
Customising your Flexi-date tour
All of our Flexi-date tours are fully customisable to allow you to see the sites that are most important to you. Where changes to the standard itinerary are made there may be an additional charge to cover the associated additional costs.
Financial Protection
Your money is safe. We are members ot the TTA and all monies paid to us are held in a trust account and cannot be drawn down by us until the tour is over.
Why travel with In The Footsteps?
- We have over 16 years experience in designing and operating Private Battlefield Tours, Battlefield Studies and Staff Rides.
- Our team of battlefield historians and guides are selected for their experience, depth of knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to tell the story in an entertaining and engaging way. The majority are accredited members of the prestigious Guild of Battlefield Guides. This means they endeavour to maintain high levels of good practice commensurate with the Guild's ethos.
- We operate a full booking, planning and design service.
- Office is open 24-hours a day whilst the tour is operating.
- Combined Employers and Public Liability Insurance (a copy can be supplied upon request).
Enquire About Your Operation Market Garden Tour Today
If you are interested in an In the footsteps® Operation Market Garden Tour click on the
button which will take you to our Enquiry Form. On the form tell us where you want to go, when and for
how long.
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Page last updated: 25 October 2020.