During the battle for the liberation of Valkenburg in the southern tip of the Netherlands, street fighting made a Sherman M4 tank to fire its gun in close quarter combat. The 75mm shell exploded on a corner of a house, the house was not restored after the war but was left untouched. The impact damage and splatter damage of the explosion is clearly seen today. A little Maria statue is placed inside the blast hole.
Liberation of Valkenburg
The US Army 119th regiment of the 30th infantry Division ‘Old Hickory’ entered the town on the 14th of September in 1944, a few days before Operation Market Garden commenced. Valkenburg was heavily damaged by war actions of the ‘Old Hickory’ and the retreating German units. Combat platoons blew up all bridges over the river the Geul and demolished some hotel buildings. In the process the Old Hickory took out some 75mm anti tank guns of the German PAK40 type. One of these can still be seen in a bit further down the road. Valkenburg was liberated in the morning of 17 September 1944.
Visit
The blast damage can be seen at the Lindenlaan number 30 in Valkenburg aan de Geul.
My father, PFC Henry S Surant was in the 401st signal co [avn] in Eys not far from Valkenburg but latter 11-4-44. I was fortunate to see all of Valkenburg this past April of 2023 with the help of a talented Dutch guide Paul who lives in the area