What was the Battle of Arnhem?
The Battle of Arnhem was part of Operation Market Garden, one of the largest airborne operations in history. It took place from September 17 to September 25, 1944. British paratroopers landed on the Veluwezoom and advanced from the Ginkel Heath, Wolfheze, and Oosterbeek towards Arnhem. However, the Germans put up fierce resistance. During the fighting, Arnhem was reduced to rubble, and the Eusebius Church was not spared.
If you’re wondering what the Battle of Arnhem is: in the Eusebius Church, the story of the Battle of Arnhem is told in a powerful and moving way in a permanent exhibition in the tower. From here, you can overlook the areas where the battle took place. The glass balconies of the Eusebius Tower offer a striking view of the impressive John Frost Bridge.
The objective of the Battle of Arnhem was to capture the Rhine Bridge from the Germans. However, the mission failed. Very few paratroopers reached Arnhem, and they were ultimately unable to hold their positions. The Germans retaliated harshly. The city was evacuated and plundered, the resistance was arrested, and Arnhem became a ghost town.
What was Operation Market Garden?
Operation Market Garden was conceived by British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. It consisted of two parts, each with its own codename.
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‘Market’ involved the dropping of paratroopers near Eindhoven, Nijmegen, and Arnhem to capture the bridges.
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‘Garden’ was the advance of ground troops from southern Netherlands.
The goal was to create a corridor leading into Germany, especially targeting the war industry in the Ruhr area. Things went relatively well up until Nijmegen, but Arnhem proved to be, quite literally, “a bridge too far.”
The John Frost Bridge
The Rhine Bridge that was so fiercely contested is now called the John Frost Bridge. It was renamed in 1978 after Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, the British commander at the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. The bridge came under fire from both sides. To prevent it from falling back into German hands, the British bombed it. The bridge was not operational again until 1950.
The Eusebius Church During the Battle of Arnhem
During the fighting between the British and Germans at the Battle of Arnhem, a fire broke out in the Eusebius Church. The wooden interior and roofs were destroyed, and the centuries-old organ was completely lost. The Eusebius Tower barely survived but was so badly damaged that it collapsed during the harsh winter of 1944/1945, destroying much of the church’s nave. The church rose again during the post-war reconstruction period, restoring pride to the city and its inhabitants.