This tour follows the Market Garden Corridor - 'Hell's Highway' to Arnhem. It relates what it was like to experience a German tank ambush on the road to Eindhoven at Valkensvaard, and the American parachute coup de main parachute assault on the Grave Bridge. The brutal fight for the massive road bridge across the Waal at Nijmegen is brought to life from the perspective of the SS defenders of the Nijmegen citadel. Hear of the nail-biting river crossing by American paratroopers, under intense fire, with only plywood and canvas boats and of Sgt Robinson's daring Sherman tank rush at the bridge, despite its obvious preparation for demolition. We also hear the heroic story of British Paratroopers at Arnhem and learn why it became a ‘bridge too far'.

Finally we move on to the Rhine where we explore about the dramatic yet decisive Allied crossings of the river under Operations Plunder and Lumberjack before finishing at Remagen where we learn about the capture of the intact Ludendorff Bridge.

In August 1944 Paris was liberated, symbolising a significant milestone in ending the war. However there was no time to rest on laurels and the allies planned another huge airborne offensive into the heart of Holland. The ultimate aim was to secure bridges over the Meuse and Ruhr rivers which would allow armour to cross into the territory in preparation for the advance deep into Germany itself. On 17th September 1944 the 1st and 82nd US Airborne Divisions and the 1st British Airborne Division landed by parachute and glider and succeeded in capturing the target bridges under Operation Market Garden (Market – airborne forces; Garden – land forces). But the advance stalled at Arnhem which meant the Ruhr couldn’t be secured and ended any hopes of finishing the war by Christmas.

In 1945 a concerted attempt to cross the Rhine was made and under Operation Lumberjack (1 – 25 March) the Allies managed to capture the strategic Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen intact and establish a firm bridgehead. This was followed by Operation Plunder (23 – 27 March) when over a million soldiers from three nations succeeded in establishing further bridgeheads. With Allied forces on German soil the days of the Reich were numbered.

Day 1 – Joe’s Bridge
Eurostar London St Pancras to Brussels (or join tour at Brussels South/Midi Station). Drive to Joe’s bridge on the Meuse-Escaut Canal to discuss the launch of ‘Garden’ the ground advance through the Valkensvaard tank ambushes to Eindhoven. Check-in to our hotel in Eindhoven for one night. (D)

Day 2 – Hell’s Highway
We follow ‘Hell’s Highway’ from the 101st (US) Airborne ‘Market’ drop zones across the Son Bridge to the 82nd (US) Airborne seizure of the bridge at Grave. We analyse the assault river crossing of the massive Waal Bridge at Nijmegen and the tenacious defence of its citadel by the 10th SS Division. Continue to Arnhem and check-in to our hotel for three nights. (B, D)

Day 3 – Arnhem: the assault
We explore the 1st airborne Division landings west of Arnhem and its attempts to reach the bridge across the lower Rhine. We undertake a walking examination of the capture and heroic defence of the Arnhem bridge by 2nd Para, against overwhelming attacks by SS infantry and panzers. (B, D)

Day 4 – The Oosterbeek ‘Cauldron'
We visit the Hartenstein 1st Airborne Division headquarters and Airborne Museum and discuss the tenacious British defence of the epic airborne perimeter. We then move down to Oosterbeek to view the Lower Rhine and the forlorn hope of the Polish parachute landings at Driel and the British evacuation across the river. The day finishes at the poignant Oosterbeek War Cemetery. (B, D)

Day 5 - Operations Plunder and Lumberjack
Today we leave Arnhem to explore the events of Operation Plunder, the successful Allied attempt to establish a bridgehead on the east bank of the Rhine. We move through the villages of Bienen, Rees, Hamminkeln and Wesel where troops from the 2nd British Army, US 9th Army and 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade fought determinedly against the armoured and mechanised German 1st Parachute Army. We then follow the events of early March 1945 when the Allies spearheaded their advance towards Remagen and its key bridge as part of Operation Lumberjack. We stop at Elsdorf, the first clash of Pershing and Tiger tanks in the war, and then through Meckenheim following the advance of US armour. Hotel in/near Remagen for one night. (B, D)

Day 6 – The Battle of Remagen
After a short, guided walk of the town we visit the remarkable Peace Museum located within the surviving pier of the bridge. The view from here of the missing bridge is a poignant reminder of the men wo died here and a fitting finale to the tour. After lunch we drive to Brussels for our early evening Eurostar return from Brussels to London St Pancras (or perhaps extend your stay). (B)