Tree of Horrocks

The Horrocks Tree is a centuries-old sweet chestnut tree of approximately 400 years old. It stands on the grounds of the De Hoge Hof farm on the Derdebaan in Groesbeek. This tree was named after an important moment during the Second World War.

The war and Operation Veritable
In February 1945, Groesbeek was once again dominated by war. The major airborne operation Market Garden of September 1944 had been over for months, but the region remained a frontline area. From Groesbeek, the Allies began their next major offensive: Operation Veritable. This was an attack on the German defense lines in the Reichswald, just across the border near Kleve.

This attack started on February 8, 1945. British General Brian Horrocks, commander of the British XXX Corps, used the chestnut tree at De Hoge Hof as a lookout post. From this elevated position, he had a good view of the surrounding landscape. Here he gave the order to attack the German lines. The tree literally stood on the edge of the front.

The meaning of the tree
Since then, this chestnut tree has been called the Horrocks Tree. It has become a living symbol of the battle that was fought here and of the beginning of the liberation of the Rhineland. The tree still stands in the same place and can be viewed by visitors to De Hoge Hof.

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Source

• Text: RJArmy.nl
• Photos: TracesofWar