Cycling route Death Valley de Peel - We're off (Sluis 11) (#2)

We're off

There used to be a drawbridge at Sluis 11 as a connection between Asten and Someren. This place proved to be of strategic importance during the Second World War. There was heavy fighting during both the German invasion in May 1940 and the liberation in September 1944.
On May 10/11, 1940, Dutch soldiers of the Peel Division, who had previously been at the Peel-Raamstelling, had to withdraw behind the Zuid-Willemsvaart and, if possible, delay the German advance.
Approximately 20 Dutch soldiers were killed in the fighting between locks 10 and 12. Germans also died at lock 10 (between Asten and Lierop), according to the annals 'two wagons' full.
In 1944, from September 22, two brigades of the British 11th Armored Division under the command of Major General George 'Pip' Roberts crossed the canal at Lock 11 with thunderous force. They came from the direction of Heeze and Helmond-west and had to take Helmond-east via Asten and Deurne. Oberst Ramoth of the Grenadier-Ersatz und Ausbildungs-Regiment 269 saw through the plan and had the bridge blown. Under heavy artillery fire, the English built a Bailey bridge during the night of 21 to 22 September, after which they crossed the canal on the morning of the 22nd. Tank commander Don Bulley led the attack, shouting 'We're off!'. A few minutes later he was killed.
In the bitter artillery and infantry battles, the English lost dozens of soldiers and the Germans lost many more.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Martin Damen