Edwin Popken

Accredited Guide Number: 93

I am a Military Historian from The Netherlands, but with a master’s degree in Military History from the University of Birmingham, UK. For more than 25 years I have read, studied WW2 through archival research and site visits. Not only the military aspect, but also the experience by individuals, soldiers and civilians alike. Since the early 2000s, I have shared my knowledge with different groups of people, taking them to these locations and sharing the stories.

Professionally, I focus on World War II operations in North Western Europe between September 1944 and March 1945. My main interest are the operations aiming to get the Allies across the Rhine from the North Sea to Switzerland, and Germans measures and operations to prevent this. My main areas of expertise are Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Scheldt, the liberation of Brabant, Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge, Operation Veritable, and the 1945 Allied Rhine crossings. A special theme I cover is the experience of Easy Company, 506 PIR, 101st Airborne from The Netherlands to Zell am See.

Since 2012, I have run my own research and guiding company, called Battlefield Discovery. Through my company I cooperate with several Dutch museums and the National World War Two Museum in New Orleans, USA, and am a partner of both Brabant Remembers and Airborne Region in The Netherlands.

Besides being a member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides with badge no. 93, I am a member of the Liberation Route Europe Guide Network.

Battles

ArdennesArnhemBand of BrothersBastogneBattle of OverloonBattle of the BulgeEindhoven & NijmegenHürtgen ForestLiberation of the NetherlandsOperation AintreeOperation BerlinOperation BlockbusterOperation Market GardenOperation PlunderOperation VeritableReichswald ForestRhine CrossingScheldt Estuary - Breskens Pocket & WalcherenWWII

Countries

BelgiumFranceGermanyLuxembourgNetherlands

Caters For

Adult Coach GroupsBattlefield StudiesBattlefield WalksBespoke GroupClubs and SocietiesCollege GroupsCorporate ToursCycling battlefield toursEvening PresentationsFamiliesIndividualsLong ToursMilitary & VeteranPilgrimage GroupsSchool GroupsShort ToursSmall GroupsStaff Rides

Areas of Expertise

Fall 1944

  • Operation Market Garden
  • Operation Constellation/Aintree
  • Liberation of West-Brabant 1944
  • Battle of the Scheldt
  • Peel Marshes and Blerick
  • Hurtgen Forest
  • The Island 1944/45

Early 1945

  • The Island 1944/45
  • Ardennes Offensive
  • Kappelsche Veer
  • Winter on the Maas
  • Operation Blackcock
  • Operation Veritable/Blockbuster
  • Rhine crossings 1945, incl. Op Varsity/Plunder; Remagen; Nierstein/Oppenheim
  • Hammelburg Raid

Easy Company, 506 PIR, 101st Airborne from The Netherlands to Zell am See