A quiet start today for my last rest day before finishing my ride at Hook of Holland. Arnhem is a great stopover town closely connected to a significant World War II historical event - Operation Market Garden. Thousands of mainly British and Polish troops were parachuted behind enemy lines to try and open up a headway for other allied troops to drive forward into the Ruhr and Germany. It's the inspiration for the iconic movie, A Bridge Too Far, where the taking of a bridge in Arnhem itself was critical to the Allies plan.
Being ex-military myself, I headed to said bridge. The original was destroyed during the war however the replacement has been named after John Frost, the British Officer commanding the paratroopers trying to secure the bridge for the Allied advance. The reinforcements never came.
The local population have never forgotten those who fought and gave their lives in the liberation of their homeland, and the sense of remembrance remains very strong. Many homes in Arnhem and neighbouring towns fly the Pegusus emblem of those British paratroopers. Very poignant.
After visiting the replacement bridge, and the nearby Airborne at the Bridge Museum (small yet interesting), I headed by train to nearby Oosterbeek where the much larger Airborne Museum and the nearby Airborne War Cemetery are located. Oosterbeek also played a significant role in Operation Market Garden. The museum is housed in what was the temporary headquarters of the British raiders. It's quite a well-set-up museum and very informative. Well worth a visit. It's on the official Eurovelo 15 route so you can park your bike and head on in. Give yourself at least 90 minutes!
I then walked a couple of kilometres to the cemetery. Very sobering to see almost 1,700 headstones of young men killed in a war - most in their early 20s. While I was there I noticed some currently serving British paratroopers, in uniform, visiting. They are part of the contingent here for commemorations starting next week. Every year in September the local area remembers through its Battle of Arnhem commemorations. Each year, although their numbers are dwindling significantly, veterans are invited to return to Arnhem. It won't be long before there will be no veterans to return, however, this town will never forget them and their sacrifices.
As I walk away from the cemetery I see a fully loaded cyclist seeming looking for the entrance. I give him directions and we talk. He's Scottish and young, like many in the cemetery. He is heading to Australia ... a massive adventure.
As I then walk the streets of Arnhem late in the day, I see two young street artists painting a wall dedicated once again to the paratroopers. It reaffirms that this town will never be forgotten.
Lest we forget.
Thanks for reading.
I'm doing this ride to raise funds for Blue Dragon Children's Foundation. I'm self-supported so all donations go directly to Blue Dragon. If you can give please do at ... https://au-bluedragon.givecloud.co/fundraisers/pedalling-for-a-purpose. Alternatively, go to Blue Dragon's website at bluedragon.org
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