Historical Panel September 1944: Kranenburg

"70 years of peace" – Flooding as a means of defense
Background:
The German Wehrmacht tried to slow down the Allied advance by using water. They did this through an inundation plan – a planned flood – to flood the low-lying area. There were three phases of flooding intended to make the front line shorter and more defensible.
On December 2, 1944, dikes were blown up near Arnhem, after which the Betuwe was flooded.
At Erlecom, the dike was blown up, so that the left part of the Rhine also flooded up to the Querdamm.

Consequences for the Kranenburg region:
On December 8, 1945 (this is probably a mistake, December 1944 is meant) locks at the Wylermeer were blown up.
On February 11, 1945, the lock in Brienen was destroyed.
During the night of 8 to 9 February 1945, the British 43rd Division left its headquarters in the Netherlands, and when they reached Kranenburg, the road was completely flooded.

Problems with movement and evacuation:
The water rose even further on 10 February 1945, and flooded the Nijmegen-Kleve road for 8 kilometres.
The Allies could only move vehicles to higher areas such as Kranenburg and Nütterden via Wyler.
Amphibious vehicles (such as the DUKW) were used to transport food and provisions.

Impact on the civilian population:
Many residents of Kranenburg had already been evacuated in 1944.
The water did not begin to subside until 14 February 1945.
The return of residents then began. The city was dry again.

An important role was played by Ludwig van der Grinten, who from 30 March 1945 informed people about their return and the availability of habitable houses.

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Source

• Text: RJArmy.nl
• Photos: RJArmy.nl