Liberation Route Marker 221: A day never to be forgotten

A day never to be forgotten
In September 1944, heavy fighting takes place in central and northern Limburg between the Allies advancing from the Peel Region and the German occupiers. In November, Kessel is the scene of death and destruction. The ferry capsizes, causing civilian casualties. On the 17th of November 1944, German troops blow up the parish church tower and set Keverberg Castle ablaze.

The liberation of Kessel occurred during the fighting in central and northern Limburg between Overloon and Meijel: the Peel Region.

There was fierce fighting between the Allies and the Germans. From the Peel, the Allies advanced towards the River Meuse. A few days before liberation, on the evening of the 11th of November, the Kessel ferry capsized. Seven Belfeld inhabitants and six German soldiers were drowned during the perilous crossing. On the 17th of November 1944, the Germans blew up the church tower with explosives, collapsing it onto the nave of the church. By six o'clock, Keverberg Castle was packed with explosives but the attempt to blow it up failed.

Soon after, the castle was set on fire. On the 19th of November, British liberators entered the village unopposed from the direction of Helden.

Audiospot - A day never to be forgotten

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: Jeroen Koppes (1, 2), Peter Schipper (3, 4, 5)