On September 17th 1944 eleven Dakota's carrying paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, head for the dropzone near Grave Bridge. Because of a slight delay in the drop Lt. John Thompsons stick (E-Co 504th PIR - 82nd Airborne Division) jumps last and touches Dutch soil at only 700 meters from the bridge. Without even thinking about it Thompson sends a runner to his captain and starts the attack on the bridge. There is fierce resistance from the Germans; a Flak position opens fire and two trucks of German Infantry approach... Thompson and his fearless bunch manage to capture the building close to the bridge (the water control station) and the bridge is taken within half an hour after the drop.

The widow of Lt. Thompson was present during the ceremony, 60 years later to the day. American and Commonwealth veterans visited the former battlefield in great numbers. The Dutch Air Mobile Brigade payed their respects and the people of Grave watched the Airborne legends in awe. A most impressive salute came in the shape of two old warbirds; a C-47 Dakota and a B-25 Mitchell flew several rounds over the area, preceeded by a Chinook.
During the ceremony wreaths were laid at the monument near the bridge and the name of the bridge was changed into the Lt. John Thompson Bridge. A tribute to the man who took this vital bridge within the first hour of operation Market Garden ! A clear blue sky was the perfect setting for this historical event.

Pictures by: Donald van den Bogert - Screaming Ducks(c) 2004