Klooster Maria Roepaan
In September 1944, the German Wehrmacht took over Klooster Maria Roepaan as accommodation for about one hundred soldiers. However, they were quickly replaced by hundreds of (forced) laborers from Germany, including many older men and children younger than 15 years old, who had to dig trenches and tank ditches in the area. They received help from Russian prisoners of war. On September 17, they witnessed the Allied airborne landings and bombs, causing the monastery to shake and panic to break out. Shortly thereafter, the Russians left and the monastery was used as an emergency hospital and shelter for refugees from the surrounding area. But soon the monastery had to be evacuated and the Germans took over again. They set the monastery on fire before retreating, and most of it burned down. The monastery was liberated by the British and Canadian armies a few days later, who used the still inhabitable remnants as temporary housing.
Ommetje Hiking Trail
Ommetje Gennep 9,2 Km Hiking Trail Limburg. Discover the WWII sights of Gennep and Limburg on a hiking trail along, among others, the Martinustoren, Ellen Hoffmannplein, and Highlander Bridge.