Airborne Landings on Ginkel Heath Ede
Airdrop Airborne Ginkelse Heide Ede - BezoekEde
Airborne Ede
21 September 2019
The most important event involving Ede took place in September 1944. During Operation Market Garden, some 2.000 Allied airborne troops parachuted onto Ginkel Heath. They would attempt to capture the bridges at Arnhem.
Each year, this day is commemorated and relived in September during the Airborne Landings and Commemoration. The event is suitable for young and old and free of charge. In 2019, the Airborne Landings and Commemoration in Ede will be held on 21 September.
Airborne Ginkelse Heide Ede - BezoekEde
Airborne Landings Ede programme
- In the air: demonstrations and parachute landings will take place at various times
- Commemoration square: thousands of spectators will congregate to commemorate the events of 1944
- Public square: market, climbing tower and food and drink
- Ginkel Heath Experience: shows, workshops, music and food and drink
- Activities for kids
- Musical performance
Princess Beatrix and Prince Charles at Airborne Ede in 2019
Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, and Princess Beatrix will both be present during the Airborne Landings on Ginkel Heath. Several veterans who fought against the German occupier in 1944 will also be in attendance. The dignitaries will be there for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Market Garden. In September 1944, thousands of Allied parachutists landed as part of Operation Market Garden. Dutch Minister of Defence Ank Bijleveld and Chief of Defence Admiral Rob Bauer will attend the commemoration as well.
Bombing of Ede
On 17 September 1944, at the start of Operation Market Garden, allied planes bombed the southern part of Ede. The barracks occupied by German soldiers were the target of these bombings. Due to bad weather and navigation errors, many bombs landed on residential neighbourhoods in Ede instead of the barracks. Sixty-nine people were killed. Each year, a brief commemoration is held at the monument on the Parkweg road on the Friday before the Airborne Landings and Commemoration. Pupils from Ede schools will lay flowers at 11:25, which was the moment when the first bombs fell.