Footsteps of WWII · The Netherlands

John Frost Bridge, Arnhem

Bridge · 17–21 Sep 1944

The story

The road bridge over the Lower Rhine was the final objective of Operation Market Garden. On the evening of 17 September 1944 about 740 men, chiefly Lt-Col John Frost's 2nd Parachute Battalion, reached its northern end and occupied the houses around the ramp; an attempt to take the southern end failed. On 18 September the reconnaissance battalion of 9th SS Panzer Division under Viktor Gräbner tried to rush across from the south and was shot to pieces. Frost's force, never relieved, held until about 05:00 on 21 September. The bridge was bombed by the Americans on 7 October 1944, rebuilt in the same style in 1948, and renamed after Frost in 1977.

What to look for

A steel arch bridge, a near copy of the 1935 original. On the north ramp are information panels and memorials; the streets where Frost's men fought were rebuilt after the war. Walk onto the bridge to see how open the approach is, and the river Gräbner's vehicles crossed.

Plan your visit

Public road bridge with footpaths, free at all times. Ten minutes' walk from Arnhem Centraal. The visitor centre 'Airborne at the Bridge' stands by the north ramp; check opening times before you go.

Nearby sites

• Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery · 5 km
• Old Church and Kate ter Horst house, Oosterbeek · 5 km
• Airborne Museum Hartenstein, Oosterbeek · 6 km
• Waal crossing memorial (De Oversteek), Nijmegen · 14 km
• Ginkel Heath drop zone, Ede · 14 km
• Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial · 20 km

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