Memorial "The Forgotten Bridge"

On May 10, 1940 German paratroopers landed on the island of IJsselmonde. To their surprise they not a ferry but a bridge. This bridge was just opened in 1939 and was not on the German topographic maps. On May 11, 1940 Dutch troops arrived in Alblasserdam. They tried repeatedly to force back the German paratroopers on the other side but they failed bacause of heavy firepower of the German side. After German bombers bombed the center of the village of Alblasserdam, with 32 fatalities as a result, the Dutch gave up their attempts. Besides the mentioned citizens of Alblasserdam, at least four Dutch soldiers were killed in the battle for the bridge.

Because of the lack of the bridge on the German charts this bridge was mentioned "The Forgotten Bridge".

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Source

• Text: Gerard Passchier
• Photos: Gerard Passchier