The Battle of Arnhem in September 1944 is commemorated annually in the municipality of Renkum and surrounding areas. The fierce fighting at and around the bridge, as well as at key locations such as the former Hotel Hartenstein, Schoonoord, the Tafelberg, and of course, the Old Church in Oosterbeek, remains etched in the memories of many. The retreat across the Rhine to Driel also garners significant attention.

Less known and often overlooked is the difficult and rapid withdrawal of soldiers from the perimeter in Oosterbeek to the Rhine. The challenging conditions under which this retreat took place are also frequently forgotten. In the dead of night from Monday, September 25 to Tuesday, September 26, 1944, over 2,300 soldiers had to retreat across the Rhine near Driel. This evacuation was codenamed Operation Berlin.

White ribbons along the route, made from parachutes, marked the path to the river. These ribbons became a lifeline for the soldiers. Losing sight of the ribbon or losing contact with the soldier ahead of you could mean getting lost or worse. A ribbon became a lifeline for these ordinary young men, these soldiers. Exhausted from the battles, they had to make their way through forests and floodplains to reach the banks of the Rhine. They were out of ammunition, hungry, and severely sleep-deprived. In the pitch-dark night, under pouring rain and relentless artillery fire, they had to find their way. They had lost an illusion as the Battle of Arnhem and the occupation of the bridge had failed. It was also heartbreaking to leave behind a devastated village and their wounded comrades. Almost all the remaining soldiers, predominantly British, gathered near the Old Church by the Rhine to attempt the crossing.

The audio tour tells the story of one of them, though sadly, many did not survive this journey. In 2003, a small monument was erected at the location where the men boarded the small boats, manned by engineers. This monument is only accessible during the month of September (Airborne Month), but the route from Park Hartenstein through the woods to the Old Church is permanently open.

This retreat and the site hold great significance. In fact, this location marks the end of Operation Market Garden. It is not only a memorial for the many young soldiers who had to flee in September 1944 but also for those who lost their lives or were taken prisoner here.

Link to the page for the audio tour: www.whiteribbonmile.nl/audiotour