Ochten

The name Ochten is probably a corruption of "Uhtwo," the Germanic word for dawn or morning meadow. The oldest mentions date back to the 12th century. Later, this evolved into Uchta and similarly sounding names.

During the mobilization in 1939, the Betuwe Line, part of the Grebbelinie, was restored and manned by the 44th Infantry Regiment. This was an exciting time for the village, where the defenders engaged in battle with the Germans. Ochten was under Allied fire from September 1944 during the Battle of the Betuwe, the flank in the Battle of Arnhem. To drive out or destroy the Germans, Ochten was heavily shelled with mortars. The village was largely destroyed at that time. To this day, unexploded ordnance is still regularly found. After the war, an extensive reconstruction plan was drawn up for the village. The reconstruction was characterized by a specific architectural style, something that is still visible today.

Ochten and then-mayor Henk Zomerdijk made the news in February 1995 when the dike that protected the village from the Waal threatened to give way. In a hurry, the village and surrounding area were evacuated, but fortunately, the dike could be reinforced in time, and the water receded a week later. A memorial still reminds of this threat.

Bloemenkwekerij Libert van Boxtel