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oranjewachtstraat
Arnhem
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While liberation was being celebrated elsewhere in the country, the city of Arnhem was more concerned with commemoration. The Battle of Arnhem…

While liberation was being celebrated elsewhere in the country, the city of Arnhem was more concerned with commemoration. The Battle of Arnhem had been lost, and the city was left in ruins. The British soldiers who had fought in Arnhem found it difficult to accept that they had been defeated. But the veterans and their families were greeted with open arms by the people of Arnhem. One veteran was surprised at their friendly attitude when attending one of the first commemorations. He said: “How is this possible? You are all so kind to us but we did nothing for you...” The people of Arnhem look at it differently. Diny was just seven years old when she was forced to leave the city. She says: “You, the veterans, gave us hope and you risked your lives for us. That is something we are extremely grateful for and that will never change.” The bridge plays a large part in the commemorations that take place. In the evenings it is illuminated in red and blue. These are the colours of the ‘Airbornes’ as the people of Arnhem affectionately call them.

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