Friends of the Airborne Museum
Editors:
Drs. R.P.G.A. Voskuil
C. van Roekel G.H. Maassen jr.
Newsletter No. 82, May 2001
Translated by Cathrien and Peter Clark
Representative in Great Britain: Niall Cherry, 3 Church Road, Warton, Lancs, PR4 1BD Tel. home 0177-2632764

23 April 2001. Author Chris van Roekel hands the first copy of the book ‘The Torn Horizon’ to Mr Jan ter Horst, (photo: Ben Kolster)

‘The Torn Horizon’
In 1998 our Society Chairman Chris van Roekel published a book about the British clergy who took part in the Battle of Arnhem entitled ‘Verscheurde Horizon’. This book generated a lot of interest in the United Kingdom and it was therefore decided to produce an English version under the title ‘The Torn Horizon, The Airborne Chaplains at Arnhem’.
All expenses for this issue were met by the Ter Horst family from Oosterbeek. During an informal meeting on 23 April last, the author presented the first copy to 96-year-old Mr Jan ter Horst. The Ter Horst family has decided that all profits from the book should go to the Anti-Landmine Foundation, an organisation that lobbies for the worldwide banning of landmines.
‘The Torn Horizon’ consists of 134 pages with 71 illustrations, and costs 35 guilders. Post and package (if required) cost 5 guilders extra. The book is on sale at the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’.

New treasurer
At the AGM on 7 April 2001, Erik van der Meiden relinquished his post as Friends’ Society treasurer. He has held this position for the last four years and is succeeded by Frits Miedema.
For a temporary period Erik has offered to provide help and advice to the new treasurer and to our British representative Niall Cherry on a number of activities, because the financial administration of a large society, with members here and abroad, is extremely demanding both in time and effort. We thank Erik for all the work he has carried out with such care and accuracy over the past four years and for his readiness to continue assisting the society.
(Chris van Roekel, on behalf of the Board)

Many thanks!
During the AGM of 7 April last I handed over my function as treasurer in the management board of the Friends’ Society to Frits Miedema.
1 would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone for the wonderful co-operation I have received over the last four years. My special thanks go to the volunteers who, through their efforts, keep society expenses as low as possible, and to Niall Cherry our British representative, who single-handedly and in addition to his hectic job, carries out all manner of tasks for our 400 members in the United Kingdom. For a short period 1 hope to be able to support Niall in financial matters.

I would also like to express the wish that your new treasurer, Frits Miedema, can depend on your continued co-operation. Once again, my heartfelt thanks!
(Erik van der Meiden)

Social Evening
A number of British members of the Friends’ Society will be visiting Oosterbeek during the weekend of 22, 23 and 24 June 2001. To mark this occasion a Social Evening will be held in the Airborne Museum on Friday evening 22 June. Dutch members are also invited to come along and make the acquaintance of some of their English colleagues and exchange views. During the evening, which begins at 7.30 pm, the library and depot will be open for ‘inspection’. Refreshments are at one’s own expense.
To assist the organisation, Dutch members wishing to attend this Social Evening are requested to notify Eugene Wijnhoud (Bernhardlaan 41-1, 6824 LE, Arnhem; tel. 026 3513100) before 18 June next.

From the AGM: the lift
You will doubtless be aware that your board has expressed strong views regarding the plans to fit a glass lift, for the less mobile among us, to the outside of the Airborne Museum.
You all know that some time back we made a plea in favour of retaining the front elevation of ‘De Tafelberg’ and part of the railway bridge over Klingelbeekseweg. It was here that Frost’s batallion suffered its first heavy losses in its advance into Arnhem on 17 September 1944. Traces of the hail of bullets they encountered are still clearly visible. It is in this light that our objections should be considered.
The issuing of a joint statement in an attempt to prevent the difference of opinion with the Airborne Museum Foundation from escalating into a situation that could sour the general co-operation regarding the museum has not, up to now, led to full consensus between the respective management boards.
A few days before the AGM it seemed that varying views on the declaration written by one of our board members still existed, but that the differences of opinion had largely been solved. Therefore our only alternative was simply to give you a declaration of the state of affairs as seen from our viewpoint. The following declaration was read out by Mr Ben Kolster at the AGM and should be regarded as an end to our ‘contribution’ in the matter, and to the discussion.
‘At present the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek provides only limited access for the less able. The present provisions no longer meet today’s requirements, and so an improvement plan was compiled.
The management board of the Airborne Museum Foundation asked the newly formed Airlift Foundation (specially set up for the task) to look into the possibilities of accessibility for the less able and then to implement the necessary provisions. However, the management of the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum sees the Airlift Foundation’s proposed design of a glass lift on the outside of the Airborne Museum as an impermissible tarnishing of the value as a monument of these historic premises. For this reason the management of the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum came up with an alternative: a below-ground extension of the museum that would include a lift facility.
The plans led to heated discussions between the management boards of the Airborne Museum Foundation and the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum regarding the path to follow. Each board was made aware of the other s arguments and motives, but nevertheless differences remained over the option to be implemented. The Airborne Museum Foundation’s board eventually decided to go ahead with the Airlift Foundation’s proposal of a glass lift on the outside of the building. They feel that a below-ground extension could not be realised within a reasonably foreseeable time, which itself would lead to a delay in the provision of facilities for the disabled. The museum board places much value on making the museum accessible within a very short time, something that seems possible with the Airlift Foundation’s proposed plan.
The museum board certainly recognises that a future below-ground extension is desirable for the quality of the museum. They also realise that, in the eyes of the Friends’ management, a glass lift as originally proposed would be a disproportionate blemish on the face of the ‘Hartenstein’ building.
Meanwhile, the lift design has been modified. The lift shaft will continue below ground level to such a depth that connection to a future extension under the ground will be a simple matter. The top floor of the building, that houses the documentation centre, offices and store room, will not be made accessible by lift. This will mean a shorter lift shaft that, as the museum board sees it, will make it less visually dominating.
The board of management of the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum regret that their proposal was not subjected to an expert feasibility study and that their objections were only taken into account through a modification to the original plan. They remain opposed to the planned external lift, while at the same time recognising the responsibility and power of decision of the Airborne Museum Foundation, and therefore respect the decision that has been taken.
In mutual consultation, both boards have concluded that a facility for making the museum more easily accessible to the less able is of major importance for the museum, and the way this is achieved must not lead to a rift between them. The prime objective is that everyone works towards a qualitatively high- value museum with a clear message and accessibility for all. The discussion is therefore closed.’
Individual members wishing to help with the lift project can make a contribution to the Airlift Foundation in Oosterbeek.

Royal Engineers Exhibition
An exhibition dedicated to the British sappers during the Battle of Arnhem opened in the Airborne Museum on 23 April last. The opening ceremony was conducted by Mr E.C. O’Callaghan In September 1944 Mr O’Callaghan held the rank of captain in command of the 2nd Platoon, 9th (Airborne) Field Company Royal Engineers. This platoon fought at the Rhine Bridge in Arnhem from 17 to 20 September 1944.
Using photos, documents and artifacts, the exhibition gives a well laid out and interesting picture of the part the sappers played. The opening ceremony coincided with the official handing over to the Airborne Museum of the completely renovated Clark Air Bulldozer. The vehicle, which was paid for by the Society of Friends, has been given a place in one of the dioramas.
This occasion also saw the arrival of the book ‘Airborne Engineers, The Shiny 9th’ by Patrick Pronk (see below) and the brochure ‘De genie tijdens de Slag om Arnhem’ (The engineers during the Battle of Arnhem) by Martin Peters and Jaap Korsloot. In 16 pages the latter publication tells the story of the engineer units of the 1st Airborne Division during the Battle of Arnhem. The booklet follows the stages of the exhibition. It forms a useful addition to Patrick Pronk’s book and is published by R.N. Sigmond Publishing, and costs 7.50 guilders. The ‘Airborne Engineers, the sappers during the Battle of Arnhem’ exhibition continues until
4 November 2001.

The author of the book ‘Airborne Engineers, The Shiny 9fh‘ Patrick Pronk and veteran Mr E.C. O’Callaghan study the exhibited photos during the opening of the Royal Engineers exhibition on 23 April last, (photo: Berry de Reus)

‘Airborne Engineers, The Shiny 9th’
There is still much to be told about the Battle of Arnhem. At least that is the conclusion we can draw from the ‘The Shiny 9th’, the book about the 9th (Airborne) Field Company Royal Engineers by Patrick Pronk, a Friend of the Airborne Museum. The 9th Field Company RE was, and still is, exceptional. Already a long-standing unit-raised in 1787 – it was one of the first Airborne units and is still ‘airborne’.
In the book we follow the company in the Second World War from its battles in France via Dunkirk, the ‘Home Army’, the beginning of its Airborne role, its part in the attack on the heavy water plant in Norway, North Africa, Sicily, Arnhem and, again, Norway. The compilers of the Royal Engineers Battlefield Tour and the authors Mackay, Pakenham- Walsh, Purves and Henniker have already written books about the Royal Engineers at Arnhem. Pronk’s book, in English, makes a nice addition to this list. The tasks allotted to the company at Arnhem were the support of the Reconnaissance Squadron’s Coup de Main force on its way to the Rhine Bridge, the removal of any demolition charges there (and at the railway bridge in Oosterbeek), followed by any job that might be expected of an engineers unit. In many instances this turned out to be an infantry role. After the landings we see (parts of) the company in the battle against Krafft’s SS Panzer Grenadier Battalion in Wolfheze, at the railway bridge in Oosterbeek, at the Rhine Bridge in Arnhem, around Huize De Sonnenberg and at the Old Church in Oosterbeek, at the Driel ferry, in the laying of white tapes marking one of the two routes for the withdrawal across the Rhine, and in captivity.
Pronk’s book is somewhat more personal than Purves’ ‘The 9th’ and has therefore more depth. The book is beautifully presented by Sigmond Publishing and is an easy read. ‘The Shiny 9th’ comprises 109 pages and costs / 27,50.
(Okko Luursema)

Rules for using the library
The Airborne Museum’s archive and library were recently transferred to their new location in the refurbished top floor of the ‘Hartenstein’.
In order to avoid any confusion it might be a good idea to repeat the regulations applying to use of the library and archive. These are open for everyone to consult after making a prior appointment with Mr A. Groeneweg. Books and documents cannot be taken out but copies can be ordered (at cost) provided they do not infringe copyright.
(A. Groeneweg)

Medal set
Recently, and for the first time, the Airborne Museum came into possession of a set of medals belonging to an ex-Royal Army Service Corps Air Despatcher, veteran Ronald Arthur Clancy, who died on 31 October 2000 at the age of 76.
As an R.A.S.C. Air Despatcher attached to the 6th British Airborne Division (63 Composite Company 6th Airlanding Brigade), Ron Clancy was involved in the re-supply of British troops in Normandy in June 1944. On 19 September 1944, during the Battle of Arnhem, he flew on a re-supply mission from Keevil to Oosterbeek. Next day he was again scheduled for a re-supply flight but his group was stood down at the last minute and replaced by another.
Ron Clancy was a co-instigator of the Air Despatch monument at Van Limburg Stirumweg in
Oosterbeek, which was unveiled in 1994. (Cees van den Bosch)

Director of the Airborne Museum Wybo Boersma receives ex-Air Despatcher Ron Clancy’s medals from the hands of Cees van den Bosch. Ron Clancy passed away in October last year.
(photo via Wybo Boersma)

Fulbeck Hall
Fulbeck Hall in Lincolnshire, former headquarters of the 1st British Airborne Division, was, until recently, home to an exhibition on the Battle of Arnhem.
Following the death of its lady owner Mrs Mary Fry, the house has been closed and the exhibition dismantled. The material has been returned to the people from whom it was loaned.
A few veterans decided to donate their items to the Airborne Museum, and these include an inscribed metal plate that once stood in front of the Military Police nissen hut at Fulbeck Hall. The museum was also given a collection of photos and documents. (W. Boersma)

Fie received this major British decoration in recognition of all the work he has done in compiling the ‘Roll of Honour, Battle of Arnhem’ and for his research over many years resulting in the re-identification of around 40 dead servicemen who, until then, had no known grave. On top of all this he has been engaged for years in compiling the many ‘Rolls of Honour’ of all the British and Canadian divisions and their supporting units that took part in the liberation of Western Europe from D-Day onwards. These Rolls of Honour are to be found in the Memorial Hall of the Liberation Museum in Groesbeek.
The Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum would like to offer Jan Hey its warmest congratulations on receiving this well-deserved honour.

Appeal
Another of our members, David Truesdale, is currently working on a book about the experiences of Irish servicemen during the Battle of Arnhem. The book will be called ‘The Brotherhood of the
Cauldron’.
Up to now he has approximately 300 names of soldiers who were attached to the 1st British Airborne Division. He has the complete life story of some of these men, but of some of the others he has only a name.
David is therefore making an appeal to members of the Friends’ Society. Anyone who has any information about Irishmen who served with the division are kindly asked to contact David Truesdale, 16 Shiralee Drive, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4BA, Northern Ireland; e-mail david@truesdale59.freeserve.co.uk.

Excavated finds
For more than twenty years, Society member Hans van der Velden from Doorwerth has been engaged in searching the former battlefields with a metal detector for remains of equipment from the Battle of Arnhem. Of course this is done with the permission of the owners of the land concerned.
Over the years Hans has come across some really exceptional items. In the past some of these finds were given to the ‘Hartenstein’ on loan. Now, thanks to generous financial support from the Friends’ Society, the Airborne Museum has been able to purchase the major part of Hans’ collection of excavated items, some of which have been included in the Royal Engineers exhibition.
Over the coming year Roland Boekhorst from the museum’s maintenance staff will preserve the other items so that they remain in good condition.
MBE for Jan Hey

Friends’ Society member Jan Hey has been awarded the MBE.

The Airborne Monument
Following a request at the AGM, the management of the Friends’ Society re-contacted Renkum council with regard to the state of the Airborne Monument opposite Hartenstein.
It appears that the council is well aware of what needs to be done to the monument. A repair and maintenance plan has been made which will be carried out in a number of stages. Money has been put aside for this purpose. An encouraging message.

Apology
The previous Ministory carried the number 68, oddly enough the same as the edition before. Obviously something went badly wrong.
Alas, this is not the first time that such an error has occurred, but fear not. The culprit(s) will be severely dealt with!!
Would you please be so good as to alter the ‘second’ Ministory 68 to 69. You will see that the Ministory accompanying this Newsletter has the number 70. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience!
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Friends of the Airborne Museum
Editors:
Drs. R.P.G.A. Voskuil
C. van Roekel
G.H. Maassen jr.
Newsletter No. 81, February 2001
Translated by Cathrien and Peter Clark
Representative in Great Britain: Niall Cherry, 3 Church Road, Warton, Lancs, PR4 1BD Tel. home 0177-2632764

Friends for twenty years
The Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum is twenty years old! That means two hundred management meetings, eighty Newsletters, fifty lectures and excursions, fifty thousand schools’ projects and more than 300,000 guilders for our museum. And that’s not bad! Observant readers will translate this effort into hours of work. How many unpaid hours does it involve? How many words have been spoken and decisions taken? I’m afraid these are questions I am unable to answer, but I am certain that you and I would have a shock if a sum were made.
hi short, many board members, together with other enthusiastic members, have worked hard to keep our Society going and to expand it. And to give you the feeling that you belong to a fine organisation which, in conjunction with the museum, wishes to keep alive the memory of the Battle of Arnhem.
A club with 1400 members, here and abroad, ensures a lot of work for us, and every day of the year I am proud to think that there are so many people helping us with positive advice and action. Most board members have full-time jobs and do society work in their spare time. Because of this things sometimes go slightly amiss, such as when certain activities take more time than expected. But, luckily, in most cases a solution can be found. For instance, in all these years only once have 1 heard that two members found the late appearance of the Newsletter ‘scandalous’. In the view of the amount of work that goes into producing this publication I found that remark totally unfitting.
The new year promises to be interesting and exciting. The second Market Garden excursion, with the Grave-Driel sector as its subject, is under preparation. This trip will be a sequel to last year’s Neerpelt-Grave battlefield tour. Partially in connection with this, and as a finale to our AGM next April 7, a visit will be made to the recently re-opened Liberation Museum. As was the case last year, lunch will be taken in Zalencentrum Lebret prior to the bus journey to Groesbeek.
This year the preparations and ‘reconnaissances’ will be carried out for a possible extended tour of the Ardennes region in 2002. Naturally you will be kept informed.
A number of you will already be aware of the discussion that has taken place between the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum and the Stichting Airborne Museum (Airborne Museum Foundation, AMF) about the building of a lift for disabled persons. The Stichting Airlift (Airlift Foundation) was created for this purpose, made up of representatives from the AMF and the Stichting Gehandicapten Overleg Renkum – a body serving the interests of the disabled. Our Society is totally behind any initiative to make the building more accessible, not only for wheelchair users and those less fleet of foot, but also for people with vision and hearing difficulties.
However, a difference of opinion has arisen regarding the way in which the lift project could be realised. Should it be built inside the building, or should it be a glass lift shaft on the outside? Your board prefers the inside solution, assuming it is architecturally possible. We feel that everything possible should be done to avoid affecting the external appearance of the historical Hartenstein building, a listed National monument. The AMF and the Stichting Airlift go for the external option.
To make things absolutely clear it must be said the AMF, which by right has prime responsibility for the museum, has decided to set in motion the building plan for an outside lift. Despite this, the often fiery, but always constructive, discussion between the Friends and the board of trustees of the AMF is still in full flow. You will be informed of the latest developments during the next AGM.
Recently, it became possible for schools to download our entire schools project from our website, a fact of which we can be justifiably proud.
Thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of our British representative Niall Cherry, a group of British members will be making a battlefield tour in our area on 22, 23 and 24 June 2001.
You will find all other events listed in an appendix to this Newsletter. It promises to be another busy year, one that I hope we shall be able to look back on with satisfaction in 2002.
(C. van Roekel)

Dutch Commando Tom Italiaander’s uniform, recently donated to the Airborne Museum by his widow. Corporal Italiaander took part in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. See Ministory No. 68 (with Newsletter No. 80). (Photo: Berry de Reus)

Apologies
The bottom of the pages of the previous Newsletter had not been cropped, making it necessary to cut these through before you could read the contents. The printer has offered his apologies to us in writing, with the promise to do better in future.

‘Friends’ get their own room
Up until mid 2000 the museum’s attic apartment was the home of Curator Berry de Reus. The Airborne Museum Foundation has pul a room and storage facility at the disposal of the Friends’ society in the space that has now become available. Very soon we shall have a large conference room, and we shall be able to store our papers and stock in a neat and tidy manner. If desired we will also be able to leave items temporarily on the table without fear that the public will help themselves. The re-location and inventory will take a little time, and because of this the ordering of back numbers of the Newsletter will not be possible until the end of April. Thereafter we hope to provide you with an even better service than before.
(C. van Roekel)

Airborne Museum certificate
On 11 November 2000 the Airborne Museum, along with fourteen other Gelderland museums, was included in the Nederlands Museum Register. The museum received this ‘seal of approval’ during the Gelders Oudheidkundig Contact contact day held in the Open Air Museum in Arnhem. The certificate is awarded to all Dutch museums that satisfy certain quality requirement levels. As far as we know, ‘Hartenstein’ is the first military museum to be given this certification. Among other things, the requirements are that the material must be well ordered, and the collection registered. Quality requirements are placed on the staff, who must be well educated, as well as on the volunteers. The aim of this mark of quality is to promote the further improvement in the standard of Dutch museums.

New medal display cabinet
On 15 September last year a new display cabinet for the medals of soldiers who took part in the Battle of Arnhem was unveiled by Captain (Ret’d) Z.R. Gasowski, President of the Polish Airborne Forces Association. A second cabinet was badly needed because the number of medals given to the Airborne Museum continues to increase. In the year 2000, medals were donated by the following veterans and others: Colour Sergeant P. Banks, 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment; Lieutenant Colonel K.B.I. Smyth OBE, Commander 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment; Strzelec (Private) T. Soskow, 3rd Battalion, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade Group; Sergeant H.W. Walker, Royal Army Ordnance Corps; Lance Corporal G. Ward, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment.

Acquisitions
The museum recently acquired a copy of the well- known German propaganda magazine, the ‘Signal’. This issue dating from 1944 (No. 19) contains a report on the Battle of Arnhem. However, this is no ordinary copy but a smaller version in English. These were ‘delivered’ to England by way of VI ‘Doodlebugs’. Copies of these ‘Signals’ are very rare. At the end of the war there was also another flyer in existence called ‘The Other Side’. These too were sent courtesy of the VI. The museum obtained a copy of this publication some time ago.
(W. Boersma)

BBC documentary
In last October’s Newsletter mention was made of the filming of a television documentary about operation Market Garden. The museum was involved in the filming for four days, from seven in the morning till nine in the evening. The finished product is due for transmission by the BBC in May this year as one of a series of four. The presenter Dr Richard Holmes told the producers/directors, David Wilson and Julian Hudson, that the episode dealing with Arnhem is the best he has ever made. He had appeared previously in the ‘War Walks’ series that was broadcast on BBC and Belgian TV. This Arnltem section of the series is unusual in that it includes film shot for the first time in the attic of Zwarteweg 14 in Arnhem. It was here that General Urquhart, Captain Taylor and Lieutenant Cleminson were isolated and hid out from Monday afternoon the 18th until Tuesday morning the 19th of September. There are also interviews with Major Tony Hibbert, Moffat Burris (who took part in the crossing of the river Waal), and the above-mentioned Lieutenant, now Sir James, Cleminson.
After transmission by the BBC the museum will be given a tape which can eventually be shown at one of the Friends’ theme afternoons. The film lasts forty minutes.
It is not certain if all the footage is authentic. The credits mention that reconstructions are included. Keep an eye on your TV programme guide. (A. Groeneweg)

Our representative in Britain
One of our members in Britain, Mr Gary Jucha, whose father fought with 4 Company, 2nd Battalion, Polish Parachute Brigade in Driel in 1944, is the co¬ordinator of a small group of family and friends of Polish veterans who regularly exchange information on matters relating to this former unit. Contact is maintained via e-mail and letter. There are members of this group living in England, France, Poland, Canada, the USA and the Netherlands. Those interested can contact Gary Jucha, e-mail address: POLSK144@driel.fsnet.co.uk. home address: 160 Crown Street, Peterborough, Cambs, PEI 3HZ, England.
Gary also informed us that Major/Doctor Stanislaw Janusz (‘Staszek’) Sosabowski, son of the late Major General Stanislaw Sosabowski, passed away in England on 6 November 2000 at the age of 83. Staszek was blinded by German shellfire during the Warsaw uprising. There is a Sosabowski family website: www.sosabowski.com.
(Niall Cherry)

List of names
In the previous Newsletter I made an appeal regarding the compilation of a list of names of all servicemen of the 1st British Airborne Division who took part in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. I would like to thank all of you who responded. I hope to publish the list this year if possible. The following information will be included: name, army number, age (if KIA), unit, escaped or taken prisoner (POW). The names will be listed in alphabetical order, not per unit thus.
The list will be published in book form and not on CD-Rom. I will keep you up to date with the progress of the project via the Newsletter.
(Philip Reinders)

organised by ‘Airborne Battle Wheels Oosterbeek’ and the gun crew came from the ‘Living History Group Holland’. Various people wanted to know about the technical aspects of firing the howitzer, and Dick Timmerman provided some background information.
During the demo 5×5 shots were fired. Approximately 250 grams of gunpowder were used for each shot, this being packed in an ordinary plastic sandwich bag, and placed in a prepared 75 mm shell case. By prepared we mean that a live 9 mm firing cartridge was positioned at the bottom of the case. This firing cartridge replaced the original detonator, which had been removed. In order to increase the visual impact, shredded paper was also packed into the shell case. In view of the huge interest generated by this spectacle a repetition is possible!

A demonstration of the firing of a 75 mm Pock Howitzer on 15 September 2000 nt the Westerbouwing in Oosterbeek.
(Photo: Kees Smulders)

The sale of publications
Although this has already been mentioned in the March 1999 Newsletter No. 69, the management board of the Society of Friends would again like to emphasise that the sale of one’s own publications at AGMs, theme days and other meetings is not allowed unless permission to do so has been obtained from the board. A written request for permission should be sent to the board, accompanied by a sample copy of the publication in question.
Depending on the price of the publication, the author will be asked for a small contribution in order to help reduce the cost of the theme day or excursion concerned. For questions regarding this ruling, write to or ring Eugene Wijnhoud, Bernhardlaan 41-1, 6824 LE, Arnhem, tel. 026 3513100, e-mail E.Wijnhoud@12move.nl.
(E. Wijnhoud)

‘Unknown, not forgotten’
A demonstration of the firing of a 75 mm Pack Howitzer was given on Friday afternoon 15 September 2000 in the grounds of the Westerbouwing in Oosterbeek. The event was The unknown photo in the previous Newsletter stirred a number of members into action, eight responses being received in all. Doubtless many more Friends have been poring over the question.
The first person to ring got no further than the revealing and uplifting message, ‘It is not Heelsum!’, but subsequent letters and phone calls have been of increasingly substantial content.
Put all together the following conclusions and questions are not illogical.
1. The photo was not taken in the Arnhem region. No one recognises the topographical situation and/or the people.
2. The location seems to be in the Netherlands, even in the province of Gelderland, in view of the houses, small garden gates and tramline poles (but where are the rails?!). Others say they are German village houses.
3. The servicemen concerned have not been photographed in a combat situation. They walk as if on an exercise or a march. No personal weapons, ammunition pouches hand grenades or helmets are to be seen. The only weapon visible is a Vickers machine gun being carried on the shoulder of one of the men. Could they be prisoners-of-war being marched away? Is the man at the rear far right a German serviceman, perhaps from the Field Police?
4. The shadows (position of the sun) show that the men are going in a westerly direction.
5. The leaves on the trees, sharp light and thick scarves being worn suggest springtime.
With all facts set down we come to the vital question: are they men of the 6th Airborne Division in Germany in April 1945?
Reactions to the above would be most welcome, and I would like to thank sincerely those who have made their views known. To be continued (probably).
(Geert Maassen)

Battlefield tour ‘Market Garden 1’
On Saturday 19 May next, the Documentation Group ’40-’45 will be repeating the ‘Market Garden 1′ battlefield tour as organised by the Society of Friends on 7 October last year. Members of the Society of Friends and the Documentation Group can take part, and our guide will again be Jacques Haegens. The excursion will start from the NS railway station in’s Hertogenbosch, and bookings should be made before 15 April. All bookings will be dealt with in order of receipt, and you will only be notified if the excursion is fully booked. Contact W. Boersma for more information, tel. 0318 639633, e-mail w.boersma@wxs.nl.
(W. Boersma)

Normandy excursion
Society member Mr Jacques Haegens, who led the Friends’ Society excursion to Normandy in 1999, has informed us that he will again be making a five-day tour to the area in conjunction with Kupers travel agency in Weert. The excursion will take place from 22 to 26 August, the programme will be more or less the same as that of 1999, and the price will be 795 guilders per person. Members (and non¬members) who are interested in making this trip can contact Jacques Haegens on 046 4517065.

Appeal, 11th Parachute Battalion
I would like to make contact with veterans, families or others who may be able to help me with information regarding my research into the history of the 11th Parachute Battalion. I am not only interested in the Arnhem operation, but also other operations in which this unit was involved. Details of life in the battalion and training would also be welcome. Furthermore, I would like to invite veterans of the 11th Battalion and their families, planning to attend the Airborne commemoration this September, to a reunion on Wednesday 20 September 2001. This will be held in the Dreyeroord Hotel in Graaf van Rechterenweg, Oosterbeek, commencing at 2 pm. Entry for veterans and their family members is free, but others will be asked for a contribution of 17.50 guilders to help cover costs. Prior reservation is necessary, after which you will be given further information. Please make your reservations before 1 May with Peter-Alexander van Teeseling, Margrietstraat 30, 6862 GP, Oosterbeek, e-mail: nvdo.teeseling@wxs.nl.
(Peter-Alexander van Teeseling)

‘Tugs and Gliders to Arnhem’ (II)
In the previous Newsletter the publication of the book ‘Tugs and Gliders to Arnhem’ by Arie-Jem van Hees was announced. The following information is intended for members in the UK wishing to order a copy.
The book costs 69.95 guilders plus 16 guilders p&p per copy to the United Kingdom, making a total cost in the UK of 85.95 guilders (39.00 Euros).
The following methods can be used for trouble-free payment:

Eurocheque in Dutch guilders
Send a Eurocheque for 85.95 guilders, made out to AJ van Hees, Courtpendu 7, 6245 PE, Eijsden, The Netherlands. It should be pointed out that only Eurocheques bearing the EC logo are free of additional charges to the beneficiary. And don’t forget to write your name and telephone number on the back of the cheque.
Direct payment into my bank account in Euros
You can ask your bank to transfer your remittance of 39 Euros directly into my ABN bank account number 57.70.54.821 at the ABN Bank, Eijsden, The Netherlands. Please advise your bank that payment must be made ‘free of all charges to the beneficiary’. If this is not done, I shall be charged a 9.43 Euro administration fee by my bank. In addition, please ensure that your bank notifies my bank of your address and telephone number.
Payment by banker’s cheque or International Money Order will result in additional charges. For more details on these methods of payment please contact the author: A.J. van Hees, Courtpendu 7, 6245 PE Eijsden, The Netherlands.
(A.J. van Hees)

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