The lock island of Osen, west of the Meuse, was in German hands for almost the entire winter of '44-'45. Near Linne, the Meuse makes a wide bend, the so-called Loop of Linne. It was much more strategically effective for the Germans to defend the lock channel than to retreat behind this long Meuse bend. In early December 1944, the Allies did manage to capture the lockkeeper's houses at the lock. This forward post was manned by a so-called lockforce (lock is English for lock), with the Germans only 'channel width' away. Relief could only be separated at night. The monument commemorates the deployment of the various allied regimental units. It was only on 26 February 1945 that the Allies finally managed to clear the mine-laden German bridgehead. At Sluisweg 4/5, one of the original lock keeper's houses still stands and bullet holes can still be detected in the wall. The surroundings of the lock island were changed beyond recognition by the post-war construction of the Lateral Canal and gravel extraction.
Vector of Memory Lock Force Monument
The Lock Force Monument was erected in memory of some 66 Allied soldiers who were killed, wounded or went missing between December 1944 and February 1945.