Liberation Monument Venlo
The Liberation Monument in Venlo commemorates the victory over the occupiers in 1945. The Allies wanted to conquer a bridgehead over the major rivers in the Netherlands with Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944, but the Rhine bridge at Arnhem proved to be a bridge too far. The American advance stalled in South Limburg, and a heavy and bloody battle erupted in this area, causing the civilian population to suffer greatly.
Venlo was also on the front line. The population suffered heavily from the continuous bombardments. The low points were November 4 and 5, when the city was almost completely destroyed and about 16,000 Venlonians had fled. The city was in a state of confusion and anarchy. The food shortage was dramatic. The Liberation Monument reminds us of this history and how the city managed to liberate itself from the occupier.
Ommetje Venlo
Ommetje Venlo 13,0 Km is part of the Hiking Trail Limburg Liberation Route Europe. Discover the most important places from WWII in Venlo.