On Sept. 10, 1944, the Irish Guards led by John Ormsby Evelyn Vandeleur captured Bridge 9 from the Germans. In honor of their tactical surprise attack, the British named the bridge Joe's Bridge, after the commander's initials: J.O.E.
A week later, on Sept. 17, the bridge served as a springboard for Operation Market Garden. This was British Field Marshal Montgomery's bold plan to capture a number of bridges across the major Dutch rivers. This was done with a large-scale airborne operation (Market) and a ground offensive from Belgium (Garden).
After the war, Joe's Bridge was rebuilt. Since the 2004 Liberation celebrations, it has been the starting point of the Market Garden Airborne Trail. A plaque in Barrier Park commemorates the event on Sept. 10, 1944.
On the Airbornepad from Lommel to Arnhem you walk in the footsteps of the World War II liberators. This 220 km long-distance route takes you past 20 different municipalities in the Netherlands. A hiking guide will take you along! This guide is only available online at Reisboekwinkel Landschap and Reisboekwinkel de Zwerver.
