XXX Corps saved by Willem Hikspoors
On September 19 1944, the German 107th Panzer Brigade was deployed from Nuenen to lounch a counterattack on Eindhoven and Son. The advancing British XXXth Corps had to be stopped. The German tanks had therefore to cross the River Dommel. They sent reconnaissance units to assess the possible crossings.
At this bridge, German reconnaissance units encountered Willem Hikspoors. Willem was a gardener on the Soeterbeek estate and had immediately realised what the Germans were planning. He managed to convince them the bridge would not hold. Moreover, with his performance, he saved the son of the estate owner, who was being held by the Germans as a spy. For his cool-blooded act, Willem received a medal and, in 1984, the bridge was named after him.
At this bridge, German reconnaissance units encountered Willem Hikspoors. Willem was a gardener on the Soeterbeek estate and had immediately realised what the Germans were planning. He managed to convince them the bridge would not hold. Moreover, with his performance, he saved the son of the estate owner, who was being held by the Germans as a spy. For his cool-blooded act, Willem received a medal and, in 1984, the bridge was named after him.
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Willem Hikspoorsbrug, Woensel-Noord, Netherlands
- Market Garden September 17-21
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Fred Vogels
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