Testimonials

  Just back from Oosterbeek which included three full day Battlefield Tours. Two of these were provided by Edwin Popken. I cannot recommend Edwin enough and his knowledge of Market Garden... read more is second to none. We wanted to be shown and understand the details from Joe's Bridge all the way to the Island. We split the days between the 101st airborne area and the 82nd Airborne area. The common thread was the journey of XXX Corps. Edwin is able to adapt each tour and goes the extra mile to ensure any request is dealt with. There was just I and my 11 year old son and although my son is very knowledgeable he is still 11 years old. At no time did my son lose interest and was keen to ask questions all day for two days. Edwin was fantastic with him. I have never visited so many slit trenches and fox holes before.
Both my son and I now have a much greater understanding why Market Garden was planned, the bravery on the ground, the sacrifices paid, what was achieved and the failures along the way. It is a battle so shaped by misinformation, media and debate that we are now able to understand what happened on the ground rather than on a cinema screen.
If you are in the Arnhem area and wish to walk in the footsteps of those brave individuals back in 1944, then Edwin is the guide you need to book. You will not regret it.

  Thanks Edwin and Erik for researching and arranging such a memorable battlefield tour for my family. My request was to follow in my father’s footsteps during his time in... read more Holland when he glided into Holland with the 82nd Airborne, September 1944. We experienced so much of the military history as we drove through the fields and over the bridges. Special thanks for the maps, pictures, museum visit and book presented at the end of the tour as a keepsake.

  Edwin provided a great experience during my recent visit to Belgium and Germany. My father fought in WW2 and was in the 4th division, 22nd Regiment. He was wounded in... read more the Hurtgen Forest in November 1944 and again near Prum, Germany in 1945. Edwin took us to both places. He clearly did a good deal of research in advance and that allowed us to closely trace my dad's footsteps. He even had obtained copies of my dad's draft registration and hospital records from his wounds. We also visited Henri Chapelle Military Cemetery where my dad's best friend is buried. Edwin had obtained information, including a photograph, of my father's friend. Our visit to the Hurtgen took us deep into the forest-Edwin had figured out exactly where my dad's unit was during that awful battle. Exactly what I had hoped for.

It was a very meaningful day and Edwin was great-exceeded expectations. He was very well prepared and made it an unforgettable day.

  Edwin is “the real deal” and I do not give that praise lightly. I am a retired military officer and historian. I spent a full day with Edwin examining Operation... read more Market-Garden from Eindhoven to Arnhem and many locations in-between. Edwin knows the battlefield like no other and he relates the story at any level - from strategic decisionmakers to minute tactical problems. He is not only so very knowledgeable but is also a warm and welcoming companion, so very relatable in manner. It was a great pleasure to learn from Edwin and I look forward to seeing him again.

  Personal stories combined with an extraordinary fact based knowledge about what actually happened, why it happened, where it happend en who were involved.

Was there dust in my... read more eyes? No. Tearing up when Jo read a letter to us while we stood in front of the grave of the writer was unavoidable. The respect for the people that lived or died during the events that took place at Arnhem/Oosterbeek could be felt in every story.

We enjoyed a private tour. Just four of us with both Edwin and Jo pouring their astonishing knowledge about what happend onto us. No question was left unanswered. I could have listened to them for a week!

I am sure that I will be booking them again on another subject and I can recommend Edwin and Jo to anyone who wants to know more about Market Garden.