Follow the steps of the Allied forces - Liberation Route extends

PRESS RELEASE

On 19 April 2011, the Liberation Route’s 26 new “listening locations” were unveiled in an official opening ceremony on the Ginkel Heath, which was the site of a fierce battle at the beginning of Operation Market Garden. Located throughout the Arnhem, Nijmegen and Veluwe region, these listening locations tell the story of what happened in the region during Operation Market Garden and the Rhineland Offensive of 1944 and 1945. The ceremony was opened with a magnificent display as parachutists landed on the Heath. It continued with the official unveiling of the new locations by the Mayor of Arnhem, Ms. Pauline Krikke, and the Mayor of Ede, Mr. Cees van der Knaap.

The Liberation Route follows the course of the Allies during the liberation of Eastern Holland. This region played an important role in ending the Second World War. The Liberation Route was opened in 2008 with 23 listening stones explaining the extraordinary events that took place. With the additional 26 stones, the Liberation Route now comprises of 49 historic locations. Some of these include details of the liberation of Apeldoorn, the evacuation of the zoo (Ouwehands Dierenpark) and the launch of Operation Veritable from Groesbeek. An information panel, in three languages, is located at each of the listening locations to inform passers-by about what happened there.

Audio reports can be downloaded from the website <L CODE="http://www.liberationroute.com/">www.liberationroute.com</L> either before setting off or on the spot using a smartphone. The reports can be played using any MP3 player, iPod or mobile phone. The audio reports are also available in three languages: Dutch, English and German. The local tourist information offices (VVVs) have free leaflets containing an overview of the listening locations as well as the war cemeteries, museums and relevant monuments nearby.

The Liberation Route has been well received and enthusiasm is spreading as southern England, Paris, the Ardennes, northern Brabant and Berlin show interest in becoming part of this successful concept. This would extend the Liberation Route trail to follow the steps of Allied forces from Normandy via Nijmegen and Arnhem in the direction of Berlin. Once this happens, the full route that the liberators followed in 1944 and 1945 will be clearly visible.

See the attached appendix for full explanation of the additional “listening stones”.