Sluis Heumen

The lock in Heumen, located on the Maas-Waal Canal in the province of Gelderland (Netherlands), played a prominent role during the Second World War, especially in the context of the Battle of Nijmegen and Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

Strategic importance of the lock
The lock at Heumen was strategically important because it provided control over the water level and shipping on the Maas-Waal Canal, a crucial connecting route between the Maas and the Waal. Whoever controlled the lock could influence the water management in a large area and control traffic on the canal.

During the Second World War
German occupation: During the German occupation from May 1940, the lock was under the control of the Wehrmacht. Like other infrastructure junctions, the lock was heavily guarded.

Operation Market Garden (September 1944): The aim of this Allied operation was to quickly advance to the north of the Netherlands, and ultimately Germany, via airborne and ground troops. In this context, a series of bridges and locks had to be captured, including the bridge at Heumen, which is located directly next to the lock.

On 17 September 1944, American paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division landed near Groesbeek and Mook. Their mission included securing bridges over the Maas-Waal Canal.

The bridge and lock at Heumen were eventually captured fairly quickly by American troops, but there was fierce resistance from the German occupiers in the area.

The Allies were lucky that the bridges were not blown up by the Germans in time, which was crucial for the progress of the operation.

Current memory
At the lock and bridge in Heumen, little in daily traffic reminds us of the battles of 1944, but there are various memorials and information panels in the region that highlight the role of the area during Market Garden. There are also walking and cycling routes along historical locations in the Nijmegen-Groesbeek-Mook-Heumen region.

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Source

• Text: RJArmy.nl
• Photos: RJ Army

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