Wings of Liberation

Sometimes called the biggest invention of WWII: the Bailey Bridge. This is the view from the Bailey Bridge on the museum grounds, toward the Market Garden Pavilion with a 'Long Tom' gun in front.

The Long Tom was a 155 millimeter caliber field gun, used as heavy field weapon by the United States armed forces during World War II. The gun could fire a 45.36 kg shell to a maximum range of 22 km.

The British 25 Pounder Gun was used to support both infantry and tanks. Prior to the advance of the ground troops, over 240 of these guns were pounding the German troops, but they held their ground.

Over 450 gliders left England towards the drop zone behind this museum. WACO 11A piloted by William McFadden landed here, but his glider was damaged beyond repair.

The medic is Father Francis Sampson, Chaplain of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, helping a wounded soldier. The Simplex Servi-cycle in front was used by him during operation Market Garden.

The Gliders were towed to the drop zone by transport aircraft such as this Dakota. The signing UA designates the 315 Troop Carrier Group (TCC) which operated from Spanhoe Airfield in England

It took 2 weeks to get this Skytrooper from Arizona to Best in 1997. After restoration, it was named Darlin' Dorien after the daughter of Jan Driessen, the founder of the Wings of Liberation museum.

A peak inside the C-53-C Skytrooper, with the typical benches provided to seat 20 Para Troopers with full gear, awaiting transport to the drop zone near Son

While the airborne landings are under way, the British XXXth Army Corp starts its advance from Neerpelt. But opposition is very strong and the Guards Armoured Division does not get past Valkenswaard

Bicycle shop "Kuyper's" in Veghel was the centre of the Veghel Resistance group, with bicycle repairer Ton Kuyper as the driving force. He was awarded the Memorial Cross for his heroism.

Opposition to the German occupation was strong and German propaganda pamplets were defaced with Dutch utterances of frustration and anger. The text in red reads: GERMANY WILL NEVER WIN!

Another picture of the liberation of Eindhoven, at what is now known as the Wal.

People in the Eindhoven area are elated, but further up Hell's Highway, men at Son are feverishly working to construct a Bailey Bridge to open up the Corridor again.

At Son, a Flak 36, 88 mm Gun was in position near the Wilhelmina canal. The Gun opened fire at the advancing Parachute Infantry Regiment, causing a delay enabling the Germans to blow up the bridge.

Eventually, the Flak-88 was knocked out. This mini diorama depicts a group of US Infantry men posing in front of the captured gun. It seems to have been inspired by a photograph taken at that time.

The British troops of the 1st Airborne Division have formed a defensive zone at Oosterbeek. In the course of the night, the British troops at Arnhem surrender.

The Sd.Kfz. 251 half-track was an armored fighting vehicle designed to transport the panzergrenadiers of the German mechanized infantry corps into battle. They were commonly referred as "Hanomags".

The British airbornes at Oosterbeek are driven into an ever tighter spot, with the ferry at Driel put out of order. But they can make radio contact with units at Nijmegen to ask for artillery support.

The M3 Half-track, was an American armored vehicle used by the United States, the British Empire, and the other Allies during World War II and in the Cold War. About 15,000 M3 were produced.

During WWII, black soldiers were deployed mostly as truckers,to provide stocks to the front line.

Thе GMC CCKW is a 'deuce and a half' ton, 6X6 U.S. Army truck that came in many variants, from standard cargo truck to pontoon bolster. Between 1942 and 1945, over 500,000 of them were produced.

This GMC (awaiting restoration) was originally set up as a motorized workshop, including a lathe, hydraulic press, grinder, drilling equipment, all of them powered by an on-board generator.

The bridges at Grave and Nijmegen are bombed by the German air force, in an attempt to destroy them all. Many civilians are killed as a result.

This picture was taken after the liberation of Eindhoven, with both locals and soldiers celebrating the moment. For the troops, it did not last, because Victory Day was still months away.

It is the end of Operation Market Garden but the Western Netherlands will continue to suffer until May 1945. In the South however, people start rebuilding their lives, sometimes with one of their liberators.