This route was created in cooperation with OudWinterswijk and 100% Winterswijk. On the website&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.oudwinterswijk.nl">www.oudwinterswijk.nl</a>, you will find impressive personal stories about this tank battle.Walking in the Achterhoek A long-distance trail runs through the Achterhoek, connecting to the international route. This trail starts at the German border, passing through ’s-Heerenberg on its way to Vorden. There, the route splits towards Gorssel (with a connection to Zwolle) and Holten (with a connection to Groningen). In addition to this trail, there is a regional trail — a circular walk through the Achterhoek — as well as several themed walks. The Second World War left indelible traces in the Achterhoek. Each trace tells its own story — sometimes big, sometimes small. The leading roles belong to the victims and heroes of that time. Along various impressive routes, you will get to know the people and their stories.

The Netherlands

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Fight on the border 

They aimed their weapons at the British tanks, with projectiles piercing the approximately six-centimeter-thick steel walls. Several vehicles caught fire. The British then retreated, but soon returned with flamethrowers. Shortly after, the battle was decided. The next morning, Saturday, 31 March, the British entered Winterswijk, which had been abandoned by both residents and Germans. Once it became clear that Winterswijk had been truly liberated, the inhabitants rushed back into the village from all sides, giving their liberators a warm welcome.

Farm Veldboom on fire

During the Second World War, smuggling also took place frequently along the border between the Achterhoek and Germany. The dense forests and secluded paths in this area made it ideal for covert activities. Smuggling played a crucial role both in daily survival and in supporting resistance efforts against the German occupiers.Boundary stoneFollowing the Peace of Münster in 1648, official state borders were gradually mapped and measured, including the boundary between the Duchy of Guelders and the Bishopric of Münster. However, it took more than a century of disputes before physical boundary markers were finally installed. One such marker can be found here on Grensweg: sandstone boundary stone 765A, a so-called “letter stone”. These smaller stones were placed at minor border points. The side facing Gelderland bears a “G” (for Guelders), the year 1766, and a serial number. The opposite side is marked with an “M” for Münster.

Border with Germany

The beech tree holds rich symbolic meanings. As a living monument, it represents lasting freedom, hope, and resilience. Its deep roots symbolize a strong connection to the past, while its fresh green leaves stand for renewal and new beginnings. The tree’s broad crown offers shelter, just as freedom does.

The Liberation Beech

On Thursday, 29 March 1945, due to the advancing Allied forces, fanatical German troops had fallen back to the hamlet of Woold. These were mostly young and inexperienced recruits, deployed in a desperate attempt to delay the inevitable. They took cover in the fields, armed with large quantities of anti-tank weapons, including the feared Panzerfaust. Each Panzerfaust contained 800 grams of explosive charge, enough to penetrate and disable a tank.The border The border between the Netherlands and Germany predates the German nation itself. The boundary stones in this area, now marking the border with the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, originally marked the edge of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the former Kingdom of Prussia. The numbering of the boundary stones starts in southern Luxembourg, which at the time still belonged to the Netherlands. Stone number 862, the final one, is not located in Groningen, but near Enschede. This marks the historical end of Prussian territory, which only became part of Germany in 1871.In some places, 18th-century stones still exist, bearing the coats of arms of the Duchy of Guelders and the Bishopric of Münster. Others are more modest, marked simply with the letters “G” and “M”.New boundary stones After the Napoleonic era, new European states emerged, including the Kingdom of Prussia to the east of the Netherlands. It was decided that the border through the Achterhoek, defined in 1765, would remain unchanged. New boundary markers were installed, this time using painted wooden posts instead of stone, likely due to cost considerations. A century later, these were replaced by durable stone markers in the form of obelisks. Just behind the bench here, you can see boundary post number 762A.

German tanks enter Woold

Bombers would drop their payloads early to escape more quickly, causing several farms to be hit and destroyed by bombs or crashing planes. Many farmers had therefore built air-raid shelters. As soon as the first planes appeared, they had to get out of bed and take cover. After an hour to an hour and a half, when the first bombers returned, the danger for the night had passed, and they could go back to sleep.

Fighter Bombers

A few minutes before ten o'clock in the morning, the Germans spotted the enemy and opened fire. The fighting lasted until late in the afternoon. Of the sixty M4 Sherman tanks, ten were destroyed. Sixteen German and nine British soldiers died. They were temporarily buried by the roadside, and after liberation, their remains were reburied in the General Cemetery.

Tank battle in the Woold

As British tanks approached, they opened fire. British officer Howard quickly ordered his soldiers to jump from the tanks, limiting their losses. Even during the shelling, he took the wounded in his jeep to this farm, De Rozenhoeve, where he set up an emergency shelter and an English doctor administered first aid.

Emergency shelter in the Rozenhoeve

On 30 March, Good Friday, the Allies approached Woold. The situation remained tense: they advanced rapidly, but the German defenses, despite their weakened position, were determined and ready to fight to the limit.