Market Garden and Huertgen Forest Tour

Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany

KD
Knee Deep Into History LLC
  • Email address verified
Jul 11 - 14, 2025
Group size: 4 - 12
Market Garden and Huertgen Forest Tour
Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany

Knee Deep Into History LLC
  • Email address verified

Jul 11 - 14, 2025
Group size: 4 - 12

About this trip

Get knee deep into history exploring two of the lesser-visited battles of WW2: Operation Market-Garden in the Netherlands and the Hürtgen Forest along the German-Belgian border. Both battles represented the Allied over-confidence after Germany’s rapid retreat in the Summer of 1944 and both were paid for in human lives.


In the case of Market-Garden, the heavy use of under-utilized airborne divisions convinced General Eisenhower to let Field Marshall Montgomery’s Second British Army charge 60+ miles largely up a single highway to capture the Rhine River bridge at Arnhem. If successful, the victory would have enabled the Allies to enter Germany’s industrialized Northwest before the enemy had time to respond. However, for a variety of reasons the offensive failed, and the loss of life was dear.


In the case of the Hürtgen Forest, numerous American divisions, most notably the 28th Infantry Division, were shredded to pieces trying to take this dense forest situated along the German Westwall. The American leaders constantly underestimated Wehrmacht’s ability to stand fast using a hodgepodge of troops and terrain that favored the defender.


Besides visiting sites of valiant sacrifice, this tour will explore the individual reasons that both offensives failed.

What’s included

  • Two Guides
    Two military historian guides who understand both sides of the story and who speak multiple languages and understand European culture
  • 3-Star accommodations
    We select European family-owned hotel / restaurants with a 3-star rating to give you both comfort and atmosphere.
  • Tour transportation
    Tour transportation depends on group size and uses a mix of 9-person people movers or cars, all equipped with A/C.
  • Most meals
    except those specified as “on your own” in the itinerary
  • Water, Soda, Snacks
    Snacks are available in the tour vehicles for the times when you need an energy hit.
  • Cultural events
    We include cultural outings such as calvados tasting, church tour, etc. and shopping time on trips longer than a few days
  • Admission fees
    We cover any museum or event fees necessary.

What’s not included

  • Travel
    We do NOT cover any transportation to/from the start/end point
  • Lodging before/after
    We do NOT cover any lodging before the start of the tour or after the end of the tour.
  • Dinner drinks
    Each participant covers their own drinks
  • Excluded meals
    Dinners or lunches specifically excluded in the tour brochure
  • Souvenirs and gifts

Available Packages

Double Occupancy
Deposit:$600
Available until May 11, 2025

Price is per person based on double occupancy.

$1,750
Deposit:$600
Single Room Supplement
Deposit:$600
Available until May 11, 2025
$1,900
Deposit:$600


Itinerary

Friday, 11 July
Pick-up at BRU, Lommel Cemetery, British 2nd Army & Airborne Sites

Pick-up participants at BRU at 12:00pm and drive to the Belgian – Dutch border. Visit the Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Lommel. Follow the British Second Army’s advance into the Netherlands, starting at Joe’s Bridge. Explore the 101st Airborne and 82nd Airborne sites and combat. Hotel in the Netherlands TBD.

Note: Pick-up and return point for this tour will be Brussel’s Zaventem Airport (BRU). A specific meeting point will be provided later. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the meeting point. Participants with their own vehicles can arrange to meet us at an alternate location.

Your Organizer


KD
Knee Deep Into History LLC
At KDIH we design and guide WW1 and WW2 battlefield tours in Europe. Our philosophy includes: 1) Getting clients into the field as much as possible; 2) Guiding small groups (12 max.) to ensure greater interaction with the guides; 3) Presenting a balanced view of both sides of the story; 4) Designing tours for those seriously interested in history; and 5) introducing clients to local, not American, culture. We also excel in organizing bespoke tours for families or groups. Contact us with your tour needs.