Veenhoopsbrug Smilde

The "Veenhoopsbrug" across the Drentsche Hoofdvaart in Smilde was captured undamaged by French SAS parachutists on April 7th and 8th 1945. The local resistance had succeeded twice in removing the explosive charges from under the bridge. The bridge had to be recaptured twice before the French at the bridge were relieved by Canadian troops on April 12th. The bridge was a connection northwards for the Canadian 2nd Infantry Division but was not on the main route of advance. The current bridge replaces the original one from the war.