Airborne Landings on Ginkel Heath Ede
-
Airborne Ede
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 yearly event is suitable for young and old and free of charge.
Airborne Landings Ede programme
The air landings will be commemorated in September 2021. Planes will drop paratroopers above the Ginkel Heath in Ede, as it was done during Operation Market Garden. The commemoration on the Ginkel Heath will take place in a closed setting and by invitation only. Unfortunately, it is not available for visitors. However outdoor exhibitions will be organized and a variety of activities will take place during this ‘Airborne month’.
More information
Princess Beatrix and Prince Charles at Airborne Ede in 2019
Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, and Princess Beatrix were both present during the Airborne Landings on Ginkel Heath in 2019. Several veterans who fought against the German occupier in 1944 also attended. 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 attended 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.
