War- and Liberation Memorial Eindhoven

This memorial is in memory of the inhabitants of Eindhoven who were killed during the Second World War. It also commemorates the liberation of Eindhoven on 18 September 1944. Text on the monument:

"Those who stand here
Remember their death
Their sacrifice great
Before you go"

The liberation of Eindhoven
The 101st Airborne Division was responsible for the liberation of Eindhoven. The division sent the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment from the landing sites above Son to the south to take the city. Colonel Robert Sink , CO 506th, to his commanders: "If you see Germans, just let them come through your lines. [...] We have to reach Eindhoven this morning, we can't waste time killing Germans." They reached the outskirts of Eindhoven on September 18 at 9:00 AM.

The advance was on the main road from Son to Eindhoven, only a few short sections of that road have now been preserved. These are the roads that run obliquely through all north-south roads in Eindhoven Noord such as the Woenselsestraat and the Vlokhovenseweg. Sporadic opposition was offered by machine guns and gunfire until they came within the range of two 88mm guns. These stood at the intersection of the current Tonnaerstraat and Hamsterstraat. The 3rd Battalion led the entire advance but was stopped by these guns from Kampfgruppe Köppel. The 2nd Battalion was then sent to the left to continue the advance and to attack the cannons with Company F. After a short but fierce firefight, the guns were eliminated.

The CO 2nd Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Strayer could later report to the division commander: "We are in control of the city center and are on top of the four bridges over the Dommel." Captain Robert Harwick writes about the liberation of Eindhoven: "By noon the city was in our hands, we really came in as conquerors and liberators. [...] Formations became impossible. Officers tried to keep the men in line. We were still expecting problems. However, men were literally pulled into houses to give food or to start a conversation. " Eindhoven was free.

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Source

• Text: Jeroen Koppes
• Photos: Jeroen Koppes
• BROWN, B. & POYSER, T., Fighting Fox Company, Casemate, 2013.
• DIDDEN, J. & SWARTS, M., Kampfgruppe Walther and Panzerbrigade 107, 2016.
• KOSKIMAKI, G.E., Hell's Highway.
• MARGRY, K., Operation Market-Garden, 2002.

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