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Church and Castle of Loon op Zand – Liberation Offensive 1944

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Church and Castle of Loon op Zand – Liberation Offensive 1944

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Church and Castle of Loon op Zand – Liberation Offensive 1944

Name: Church and Castle of Loon op Zand – Liberation Offensive 1944
Rating: 2

Recommended by 4 cyclists

Cycling is not permitted at this location

You'll need to dismount and push your bike.

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Location: Loon Op Zand, North Brabant, Netherlands

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Top cycling routes to Church and Castle of Loon op Zand – Liberation Offensive 1944

5.0

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1. Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan Pond loop from Tilburg

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Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

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4.8

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2. Giersbergen Village – Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan Pond loop from Tilburg Universiteit

36.8km

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50m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.4

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3. Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan Lake – Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan Pond loop from Molenwijck

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Easy

Tips

ZuinigeRijder

September 13, 2025

An initial attempt by the famed Desert Rats to drive out the German defenders from Loon op Zand on Friday, October 27, 1944, failed. Will the Highlanders succeed?

Loon op Zand is a key position in the new German defense line. Before the battle, residents are forced to dig foxholes. At the same time, German troops blow up the trees along Kasteellaan to block the road from the south. The first attack begins on the morning of October 27. British artillery fire causes the first casualties, including Miss Annette Verheyen, who is in the castle when the shells land. The British attack quickly stalls. To break the stalemate, the guns of the 7th Armored Division, the famed Desert Rats, then fire continuously on the village for eight hours. Despite the unprecedented hurricane of fire and steel, "only" three residents are killed, as the tall oak trees surrounding the castle absorb most of the shells.

It is now the Highlanders' turn to take the village. The commander of the 51st Highland Division, Major General Tom Rennie, decides to launch a large-scale attack. One brigade, 153, approximately 3,000 men, will attack the village head-on, while another, 152, will advance north through the woods to cut off retreating defenders. The attack is preceded by the usual preliminary artillery barrage. A civilian is killed in the process.

The battle plan is largely successful. The frontal attack from the south is successful, and most German soldiers withdraw to Kaatsheuvel. Only a small group holds out in the cemetery until nightfall. The brigade in the woods fails to block the German retreat. Near the Resting Hunter, the Scots do capture a German vehicle. To their surprise, it is filled with apples and excellent Dutch cigars. The liberators enjoyed this for months to come.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 50 m

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Sunday 26 October

10°C

7°C

100 %

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Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h

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Location: Loon Op Zand, North Brabant, Netherlands

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Church and Castle of Loon op Zand – Liberation Offensive 1944

1. Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan Pond loop from Tilburg

2. Giersbergen Village – Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan Pond loop from Tilburg Universiteit

3. Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan Lake – Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan Pond loop from Molenwijck

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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