Commonwealth War Cemetery Valkenswaard. One of the War Cemeteries along the Corridor. Everlasting footprints along the path of freedom...
Along the 'Corridor' we swept several patches of woods and fields. From 'first contact' German positions to random spots...
We found some original German artillery positions in the woods, about 100 meters from the road. Perfect ambush spots...
Following local restrictions, we did some clean top soil detecting. Some of the relics we found were pretty spectacular...
The amount of shrapnel in these woods, is just incredible. We also found some 'non WWII' metal bits and pieces, and reptiles.
Every mile of the Corridor has it's own story... We are moving back into the direction of Lommel (Belgium)...
Bergeyk 'Gate of Liberation' roadside monument: dedicated to the 2nd Household Cavalry Regiment, 1st Allied unit to set foot on Dutch soil (September 11th, 1944)
Dutch border marker nr. 186, placed after the 1843 Dutch-Belgian border adjustment. (There are also remnants of 186-B, 186-C and 186-D markers, in line, in the area).
The Bridge at Lommel over the Bocholt-Herentals (Maas-Schelde) Canal. Nicknamed 'Joe's Bridge', in honor of John 'Joe' Vandeleur, commander of the Irish Guards.
Polish Cemetery at Lommel. 257 Polish War graves from all over Belgium, were transferred to Lommel by the 84th British "Grave Concentration Unit" in 1947...
Sherman Tank Monument at Hechtel (BE). This is most likely a Sherman Dozer Hull with a Sherman Firefly Turret, fitted with a powerful British 17-pounder anti-tank gun.
The panel tells of the battle for Hechtel. The Guards Armored Division encountered the 1st Fallschirm Army, the Welsh Guards battled the SS Landstorm Nederland Division.
Monument dedicated to two State Troopers, who were killed during the battle for Hechtel, on the 9th of September, 1944.
Sherman Tank Monument at Leopoldsburg (BE). This is also an M4A4 Sherman with Firefly turret a 17-pounder gun. The tank monument has been here since 1984.
In Leopoldsburg, in cinema 'Splendid', Lt. Gen. Horrocks presented Operation Market Garden to his men, as seen in 'a Bridge Too far'. The original building is now gone.
Commonwealth War Cemetery at Leopoldsburg.
British, Canadian, Australian, Dutch, Polish, New Zealanders... all together, forever... The high price of Freedom...
German War Cemetery at Lommel. 38.560 casualties from WWII and 542 casualties from WWI, are buried at this cemetery, over 6.000 of whom are unidentified.
Overview of the German War Cemetery (click the image above for the full picture - return using your browser 'back' button or 'back' arrow)
Inside the crypte you will find the effergy of the fallen German soldier. Wreaths and candles are placed on a regularly, both by visitors and various nations officials.
Relic Research:
© Paratrooper Research Team & Battle Detective - The 'Corridor' Battlefield Visit - John, Tom & Donald