Liberation Route Marker 153: Craving peace

Craving peace
Fierce battles take place in and around Nispen prior to its liberation. When it finally comes on the 26th of October 1944, there have been many military and civilian casualties. In Nispen, a plan has already been drawn up for a symbol of peace. It is this Vredeskapel, a Peace Chapel, designed by Joseph Cuijpers.

In the days before its liberation, there was exceptionally fierce fighting in and around Nispen. Units of the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, known as the Polar Bears, had been tasked to capture Nispen, but they came up against heavy German fire, especially at the Honingbossen. The Polar Bears eventually managed to liberate Nispen on the 26th of October 1944.

The village had been in the front line and was fired upon by both German and Allied artillery and mortars. But after the German troops were driven back, they continued to launch grenades at Nispen from the direction of Roosendaal. This again caused casualties.

Audiospot - Craving peace

Liberation Route Europe is a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. With hundreds of sites and stories in nine European countries, the route links the main regions along the advance of the Allied Forces in 1943-1945.
The entire route consists of themed routes that can be travelled by by hiking, walking, cycling and car. These routes pass numerous historical and interesting sites and tell stories from a multitude of perspectives that were important in the final phase of World War II.
Many routes feature listening spots, offering the opportunity to listen to a historical story at a location. In addition, many ‘Vectors of Memory’ have been placed, indicating that the passer-by is on one of the Liberation Routes.
The routes can be found on the Liberation Route Europe website or in the app through which many stories can also be listened to.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar & Liberation Route Europe
• Photos: Arjan Vrieze