How To Make Operation Market Garden Work Alternate History

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Operation Market Garden

About the tour: Operation Market Garden

Tour Introduction

During WW2, Operation Market Garden was devised by General Bernard Montgomery to shorten the war in the autumn of 1944. On this tour, we follow the ground troops along their original route and examine the ill-fated operation that resulted in the deaths of so many troops. We see Joe's Bridge, take a look at the assault of the Irish Guards, resume the route of the XXX Corps at Grave Bridge and visit the Hartenstein Hotel Museum. We also pay a visit to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery before we visit the area around Arnhem Bridge and see where the pivotal battle took place.

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Tour Includes

3 nights hotel with continental breakfast
Specialist Battlefield Guide
Convenient local joining points

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(Deposits from £50pp)

We offer flexible payment options

Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone (), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -

Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
Send payments via online banking.
Send payments via cheque.
Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.

Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.

Our guide was most knowledgeable and had obviously a passion and interest in his subject which was underpinned by his own research.
Kevin

Tour Itinerary

FAQ's about the itinerary

I live outside the UK, can I still book a tour?

For customers living outside of the UK, if you want to make a booking you will need to provide a UK postcode on our online booking system. If you are not able to provide a relevant UK postcode then you can enter the postcode for London Victoria Coach Station – SW1W 9TP. You should then be able to proceed to complete your booking.

If you do encounter a problem then you can speak to one of our friendly advisors who will be happy to help.

Please Note : After completing your booking, a member of our Customer Service team will be in touch to make sure everything is okay.

Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

Either e-mail our Reservations Department or call on 01709 830 333 and they will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

Day 1

Local departure by coach, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

Day 2 - Joe's Bridge to Nijmegen

We travel to Joe's Bridge, the starting position of the Guards Armoured Division at the beginning of Operation Market Garden. We look at the Irish Guards assault and see their graves at Valkenswaard War Cemetery. We then see the vast German cemetery at Ysselsteyn before visiting the impressive Overloon War Museum. After lunch, we resume the XXX Corps route at the Grave Bridge, before looking at the tough fighting for Nijmegen and the crossing of the Waal River by American Airborne forces. We continue to our hotel ion the outskirts of Arnhem for a two-night stay.

Included meals: Breakfast

Joe's Bridge

Joe's Bridge (7)

Key Visits

Ysselstyn German Cememetery
Joe's Bridge
Nijmegen Bridge
Valkenswaard War Cemetery
Overloon War Museum
Grave Bridge

Day 3 - Hartenstein Hotel & The Battle of Arnhem

We begin at the Hartenstein Hotel, headquarters of the 1st Airborne Division during the Arnhem battle, and now an excellent museum. We then see an original memorial at Wolfheze and look at one of the landing grounds at Ginkel Heath. Following a visit to the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery we have lunch and then see some of the positions in the Oosterbeek Perimeter before visiting the area around Arnhem Bridge, where the pivotal battle for the outcome of Operation Market Garden took place.

Included meals: Breakfast

Arnhem Bridge

Arnhem Bridge (7)

Key Visits

Arnhem War Cemetery
Hartenstein Hotel, Oosterbeek
Ginkel Heath Landing Grounds Memorial
Airborne Memorial. Ginkel Heath
Wolfheze Landing Zone Memorial
Arnhem Bridge

Day 4

Return home.

Included meals: Breakfast

Read more information regarding the tour

Entrance to museums, places of interest and optional excursions are at extra cost.

Museum package available whilst on tour approx cost €40.

Pre-Tour Reading

A selection of related books for pre or post tour reading.

Kershaw, R. It Never Snows In September (Ian Allan 2010)
Lynch, T. Operation Market Garden (History Press 2011)
Margry, K. Operation Market Garden: Then & Now (After The Battle 2004)
Middlebrook, M. Arnhem 1944: The Airborne Battle (Pen & Sword 2009)
Urquhart, R.E. Arnhem (Pen & Sword 2008)
Waddy, J.R. A Tour of the Arnhem Battlefields (Pen & Sword 1998)

Passenger Information

The Tour

Operation Market Garden in September 1944 was General Bernard Montgomery's attempt to end the war before Christmas by launching a ground offensive through Holland into Germany with the route secured by Airborne forces. Market were the Airborne troops who would secure the bridges along the route and Garden were the ground forces from the British XXX Corps. At the far end British 1st Airborne Division found itself embattled at Arnhem waiting for XXX Corps; a battle in which only 2,000 Airborne troops would escape out of 10,000.Our Operation Market Garden tour takes you to some of the most famous locations in Holland connected with the fighting in September 1944 and will help put 'A Bridge Too Far' and 'Band of Brothers' into their correct context.

Foreign Currency

The Operation Market Garden tour takes place in Holland and therefore you will only need the Euro. You are advised to get Euros – in cash – in advance of your tour, as most banks in Holland do not provided currency exchange services.

What to Bring

The weather in Holland can be changeable and it is advisable to bring sensible clothes and always pack a jumper and waterproofs. Good, stout shoes are essential and comfortable walking boots or trainers are ideal. In warm weather always bring a hat and sun cream, and it is advisable to have a supply of water, which is usually on sale on the coach as well.

Specialist Battlefield Guides

All of Leger's battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.

Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.

Guides available (1/24)

Hotel

FAQ's about hotels

Can I join at the hotel?

If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.

No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.

Do the rooms have private facilities?

All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.

Are there tea and coffee making facilities in the room?

Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333

Do the hotels have lifts?

Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.

Do the hotels you use have ground floor rooms?

Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.

Should I take my own towels or will they be supplied?

Your hotels will supply towels in your room.

Will the hotel cater for vegetarians or any other dietary requirements?

We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.

We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.

You will stay two nights at the 4-star Hotel De Bilderberg in Oosterbeek. Overnight stays in Belgium will be in a city-style hotel.

Travel Options

FAQ's about travel

What time will I be picked up and dropped off?

Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.

Can I pre-book my coach seat?

Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law. Central view seats are free.

Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.

If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.

Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.

Will we be sat together?

We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach. Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port are not allocated.

Are refreshments served on the coach?

Hot and cold drinks are served on the main tour coaches. Prices are approximately £1 or 1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by the driver. Drinks may also be served on the transfer coaches but this is not guaranteed.

What route does the coach take?

Transfer vehicles are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.

With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.

Is there a toilet on-board the coach?

All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the U.K. port may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are used on transfers and tours (air holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.

Do your coaches have air conditioning?

All coaches feature air-conditioning. Should the air-conditioning system break down for a period exceeding 12 hours, compensation will be awarded up to a maximum of £10 per fare-paying passenger per tour.

Will I travel on the same coach from my joining point until I reach the hotel?

Depending on the location of your pickup point, you may be picked up by coach (not necessarily the on you are touring on), minibus, taxi, National Express or Megabus service. You may then be taken to another centralised pickup location or service station. We operate a passenger interchange at Stop 24 Services, where you will meet the tour coach you are holidaying on and then continue on with your outbound journey. Similarly, on the way home, you may also change transfer vehicles at another location, to take you to your final drop off point.

What is my Luggage allowance?

One medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. We may refuse to carry larger or heavier cases. Hand luggage can be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.

Will I travel via the Euro Tunnel or Ferry?

It could be either - This will be confirmed in your travel documents.

Are all transfer vehicles/coaches non smoking?

All our coaches and transfer vehicles operate a 'no smoking on board policy'. The use of electronic cigarettes is strictly forbidden.

Is food allowed on board the coach?

In the interest of fellow guests, do not take hot food or ice cream on board.

Is alcohol allowed on board?

alcohol can only be taken on board our vehicles at the discretion of your driver.

When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.

Executive Features

Air conditioning
Drinks machines

Onboard toilet

Reclining seats

Silver Service Features

Sit back and relax in specially-designed, deluxe reclining seats, with leather headrests, footrests and more legroom than standard coaches.
Enjoy the perfect temperature onboard with climate control.

Relax and have a chat in the spacious rear lounge.
Servery on board offering a range of refreshments.
Porterage* at most hotels, so you really don't have to lift a finger.

Time flies with our onboard entertainment system.
With free personal headphones you can tune into the music channel, listen to the radio or watch DVDs.
Onboard toilet

Silver Service Seating Plan

Silver Service Virtual Tour

Travel Extras

With an overnight stay or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...

Join your tour coach at the interchange.

On most tours if you'd prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.

Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.

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