WWII route 40-45 Wageningen Rhenen Ede Renkum Wageningen

WWII cycle route
From the Grebbelinie 1940 via the Zuid Ginkel 1944 to Hotel de Wereld 1945.
May 1940, the Germans invaded the Netherlands and west of Wageningen they came across the Grebbelinie's inundation area-water barrier that runs from the Betuwe to the IJsselmeer with a passage at Rhenen and Amersfoort.
This waterline was meant to protect Holland. But the apparent superiority of the German enemy and the relatively young fanatical SS army made it impossible for the Dutch armies, outdated in terms of personnel and material, to hold out with this old way of warfare and defense.
In this bike tour along well-known points in the landscape starting at the Grebbeberg at junction 34, we ride under the Grebbeberg and west of Rhenen we enter the center with the Cunera church tower as a striking landmark. In the photos you can clearly see that there was heavy fighting here. The city was almost completely shot to pieces but the church tower was miraculously spared. On the Grebbeberg is the Honorary Cemetery of all the fallen in this battle. On the flanks of the Grebbeberg there was man-to-man fighting but after 3 days it was already clear that this would not hold.
We continue our journey through the inland field along a casemate towards the Ginkelse Heide in Ede where drop zone Y is located between junctions 64 and 84, where hundreds of Paratroopers landed on 18 & 19 September 1944 for the Battle of Arnhem.
Between junction 84 & 82 drive over the Weideveldweg. Here you will pass drop zone X in Renkum where on 17 September hundreds of paratroopers landed again, but also Horsa gliders that transported Jeeps, light artillery and also troops.
Further on at junction 87 you will pass the Burger memorial monument which was unveiled in September 1945. We are now driving towards Renkum where during the war the entire Dorpsstraat was in ruins, see the open air exhibition with maxi photos 175cm x 225cm in August and September.
At junction 83 we enter Wageningen, where the capitulation was signed on May 5, 1945 in Hotel de Wereld.
Even more cycling and walking routes await you at Hotel de Wereld and the VVV.
Have fun and see you in hospitable Wageningen
Made possible by Proeft Wageningen
http://trialwageningen.nl/magazine/