General De Bons Barracks

The General De Bons Barracks, located in Grave, is a former military barracks named after Andreas de Bons, a key figure in the defense of the city of Grave against the French in 1794. This barracks is listed as a national monument.

Construction of the barracks began in 1938 and included six barracks buildings to accommodate two infantry battalions and the regimental staff. The entire General De Bons Barracks was expected to be completed by the fall of 1939.

During World War II, after the breach of the Peel-Raam Line on May 10, 1940, the barracks were taken over by the Germans. Until the liberation, both the Kriegsmarine and units of the Wehrmacht were stationed here.

After the liberation, the barracks were occupied by Allied forces. General Crerar relocated his headquarters here and led the liberation of the rest of the Netherlands (Victory Campaign) and the advance to the Elbe from this location. In April 1945, he received Field Marshal Montgomery at this site.

After 1945, the Dutch Army returned to the barracks to train troops for deployment in the Dutch East Indies. In 1994, it was decided to decommission the General De Bons Barracks.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: WW