1944, September.
The American Paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions have fought along Hells Highway to ensure that the British XXX Corps can keep progressing in the direction of Arnhem. The battle has been fierce and brutal. After the initial stages of Market Garden and the failure of the last stages (reaching the British Paratroopers in Arnhem), the region between the Neder-Rijn and the Waal will be the scene of months of mostly static battle. This area is known to the Allies as 'The Island'. From the other side of the Neder-Rijn, on high grounds, the German 88's rule and punish every open movement within sight. From Dodewaard and Opheusden in the West, to Driel, Elst and Lent in the East the US Paratroopers are the Main Line of Resistance.

In the middle of this all lies a little town called Valburg. The picture we are looking at is one of a knocked out Tiger near Valburg.

What do we see, and what do we know ?

• Tiger nr. 124, in a ditch near a field. An (apple) orchard in the back. Some trackparts are used on the turret. There is minor damage on the left side of the tank, wheels and track seem to be OK. Side seems to be covered with Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste. Color sceme: mostly Gelb, with Grün and Dunkelrott. Personel seems to have been evacuated since both hatches are open.
• A woman is standing on top of the tank, looking inside through the open hatch. She must be 25-40 years of age (a least 85 now if she is still with us).
• In our Photo Art submenu Then and Now, we have two pictures of a knocked out Tiger near Valburg. We have been to that exact location. The farmhouse is still there, so is the little electricity house on the second picture in the Then and Now menu. The Tiger on those two collages has been flipped over and some parts have been removed (as trophies?). A section of the left skirt is missing.

Question:

• The region around Valburg is dotted with farms. Who knows this (farmers?) woman, who has seen this picture before?