The Timberwolves Cycle Route North | Liberation Route Brabant

Cycle 44 km along historic WWII sites in West Brabant and discover the story of The Timberwolves.

( 3 hour 39 minutes ) 43.9 km

Starting point: from your location

Show all 4 photos

This northern cycling route of 44 km starts at the train station in Zevenbergen. Along the way, you'll pass the Mark River and the Liesbos forest. Be sure to stop for lunch in Etten-Leur and take a moment to admire the beautiful Basilica of Oudenbosch. During your ride, you'll learn more about the battles the Timberwolves fought near the Mark, where they met the Polish forces and where the remarkable story of First Lieutenant Cecil H. Bolton unfolded. (This text was translated by AI)

The Liberation Route Brabant tells the story of the liberation, but also reveals what World War II meant for ordinary people in Brabant. Eight cycling routes, spread across North Brabant, guide you along Brabant Remembers stories, audio columns from the Liberation Route Europe, monuments, and museums that together highlight the impact of the war on North Brabant. (This text was translated by AI)

Route map
You can view this r…

Route map
You can view this route page on your telephone or download the GPX file. If you prefer to go on the walk using a paper map, you can order one in our webshop.

Brabant Remembers
During the Second World War, lives were profoundly changed forever. Brabant Remembers relates personal stories about the Second World War, major or minor: about mobilisation, resistance, collaboration or liberation – stories about events that centre around a life-changing moment.On the Liberation Route Brabant you pass places where these stories have taken place. Brabant Remembers wants to preserve the stories and experiences of those who went through the war and pass them on to future generations.Would you like to know more about Brabant Remembers, stories and explore similar routes? Check out brabantherinnert.nl.

Liberation Route Europe
This walking tour through North Brabant is part of the Liberation Route Europe, a network of 10,000 kilometres of walking tours throughout all of Europe. The walking tours go past museums, monuments, cemeteries and historic locations that remind us of the final phase of the Second World War. With hundreds of places and stories distributed over twelve European countries, the Liberation Route Europe connects the regions through which the Allies progressed in 1943-1945. Visit liberationroute.com for more information.

About this route
The route is marked out using the Brabant numbered junction system. Simply follow the Liberation Route Europe marks with the maple leaf. The route between the junctions is marked by arrows. If there is anything wrong with the signposting along this route, please report this on visitbrabant.com/meldpunt You can also call us on +31(0)800 4050050.

Liberation Route Brabant direction signs

Follow the 'Liberation Route' signs. These are hanging under the regular junction signs.

Hotline routes
Hotline routes
If there is something wrong on the route, report it here.

Skip map tab stops

Sights on this route

Starting point:

Stationslaan 1
4761 BG Zevenbergen

Vector: Church brings salvation

The city of Zevenbergen was bombed twice during World War II, killing a total of 125 civilians. However this number would have been much higher had about 2,500 civilians not managed to find the shelter under the Bartholomeus (St Bartholomew's) Church in time.

Vector: Battle of the Dykes

On Monday 30 October 1944, the village of Leur was liberated without any significant resistance. The US 414th Infantry Regiment, part of the 104th Infantry Division known as the Timberwolves, was then ordered to advance north and form a bridgehead over the Mark River.

Vector: The Timberwolves meet a Polish Division

One such meeting of “friends” took place on a cold Monday on 30 October 1944.

Vector: No Timberwolves in Breda!

When speaking about the liberation of the Dutch city of Breda, the role of the Polish forces is what first comes to mind. After all, it was the 1st Polish Armored Division that liberated this old Brabant city on 29 October 1944.

Hotel Restaurant ‘t Witte Paard

With the intimate hospitality of a family hotel, the Herberg & Wijnwinkel ’t Witte Paard (White Horse Inn & Wine Shop) in Etten-Leur offers everything that lovers of the good things in life will appreciate.

Vector: Liberation battle in Hoeven

During the liberation of the village of Hoeven there was heavy fighting and resistance resulting in civilian casualties.

Vector: Two monasteries are liberated

Before moving on to the village of Standdaarbuiten, the American Timberwolves liberated the town of Oudenbosch without much resistance. The Sisters of the Saint Anna Convent and the Monks of the Saint Louis Monastery, along with the rest of the town, were overjoyed.

Vector: Saving the Basilica

At the end of the war, German troops on the retreat were ordered to preemptively blow up all church towers.. However, when it became necessary to destroy the Basilica of Oudenbosch town in the Netherlands, German Generalleutnant Walter Stein decided not to do so.

Vector: Allen Bridge: British troops build bridges for Timberwolves

The most important operation for the Timberwolves Division in West Brabant was the formation of a bridgehead across the Mark River at Standdaarbuiten village.

US Division under Canadian command!

Before this, never in military history had a US Division operated under the command of a Canadian general. This rather unusual honour occurred for the US 104th Infantry Division, better known as the Timberwolf Division, in West Brabant.

Vector: First Lieutenant Cecil H. Bolton receives a Medal of Honor

On the night of 2 November 1944, First Lieutenant Cecil H. Bolton played a pivotal role in the fighting for the village of Standdaarbuiten.

Vector: A Norwegian Spitfire crashes near Standdaarbuiten

In late October 1944, Allied ground troops were more or less stuck near the Mark/Dintel River in northwestern Brabant.

Vector: The first American attempt to cross the River Mark

In the early morning of 31 October 1944, a group of American troops rowed across the River Mark. Their aim was to surprise the German defenders and form a bridgehead on the north side of the river.

End point:

Stationslaan 1
4761 BG Zevenbergen