Plaque of victims of Venlo airport

Hinsbeckerweg

Venlo

www.hartvanlimburg.nl

Route

War memorials

On March 1, 1945, Venlo was liberated by the Allies. The Americans immediately renamed the former Airport Venlo to 'Yankee 55'. Because the Germans had detonated almost everything before their departure, the Americans built a tent city, which was often mockingly called the Venlo-Hilton. Despite the primitive conditions, the new residents quickly made various forms of luxury their own.

Hilton Airport Venlo

Fliegerhorst Venlo-Herongen was an important airport for the German Luftwaffe during World War II. On September 3, 1944, the airport was heavily damaged by Allied bombings, and on September 5, the Allies suggested in a radio speech that they had reached Breda, causing German troops to panic and the Luftwaffe personnel to leave Venlo airport. On March 1, 1945, Venlo was liberated and the Allies took over the airport, which they renamed 'Yankee 55'. However, the airport had to be rebuilt from the ground up because almost all buildings and hangars had been blown up and the runways had been made unusable. A tent camp was created, which was mockingly called the Venlo-Hilton. The pilots made their lives as pleasant as possible and indulged in self-distilled strong drinks and confiscated goods.

Hiking Trail Venlo

Hiking Trail Venlo 13,0 Km is part of the Hiking Trail Limburg Liberation Route Europe. Discover the most important places from World War II in Venlo.