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Vrienden van het Airborne Museum
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM OOS TERBEEK Utrechtseweg 232, 6862 AZ Oosterbeek,Netherlands Representative in Gr.Britain:Mr.A.Maynard,M.B.E.
49,Glenfargroad,Catford,London SE6 LXN
Tel.: Ol.698.8969
NEWSLETTER No,10. may 1982
Editor:Drs.R.P.G.A.Voskuil.

Dear Friends,
Many members of our society from nearly all parts of the country attended the third A.G.M, on 12 March.Our British representative,Mr J.Maynard came over from London for the occasion.
The committee is pleased with the interest shown and with the increase in membership. The society can thus continue and even expand its activities.
As you may know,Mrs.J.Smit-Duchateau took leave as a committee member during the A.G.M. Enthousiastic,always ready to help and tireless,she has been a valuable collegue.
We owe her our gratitude and we thank her again.

Mr.C. van Roekel has been nominated as her successor.Together with Mr.Voskuil he will take care of the Newsletter.
Two afternoons devoted to special subjects are in preparation.During the Open Days at Deelen Airfield on 9,10 and 11 June our society will sell articles from the Museumshop and we shall do the same during the Airborne March on 3 September.
In this way we try to focus attention on the Museum and give our support.

Drs.J.Smits,Chairman.
From the editor.
This is the tenth issue of our Newsletter,an anniversary’number which appears shortly after the first lustrum of the Airbomemuseum at the Hartenstein.The Museum was reop¬ened in its present location on May 11,1978.Since then there has been no reason to complain about a lack of visitors.Much is being done to improve the Museum and to add to the collections.Many visitors therefor return regularly to see what is new.
The credit for these activities goes to trustees and staff.Many of the former have spent a great part of their spare time to shape the Museum into its present form. Our Society also benefits from the increasing interest in the events of September 1944.The membership is continually growing.
Through the Newsletter we aim to keep the members informed about the developments with¬in the Museum.
Starting with this issue we are introducing a new feature;short articles about aspects of the battle which have hardly or never been written about and about which questions have arisen.From now on you will therefore find a supplement to the newsletters edited by our new committee member,Mr C.van Roekel.
We hope that our members will contribute articles and that the experiment will prove succesful.
R.P.G. A. Voskuil.

In memoriam Mr. Robert Reinier Schuring.

The excursion costs 25 guilders per person,including lunch.There is place for 45 partici pants,but if a considerably greater number express interest,the excursion may be repeated.
Some points from the A.G.M. held on 12 March 1983,
In addition to the points mentioned above in the presidents letter the following should also be noted:
– 78 members were present.
– The General Report and the Treasurer’s Report for 1982 and the budget for 1983 were approved.
– Election to the committee.Mr Eykelhoff and Mrs.Smit-Duchateau were due to retire. Mrs Smit-Duchateau indicated that she did not seek re-election.In absence of other candidates.Mr.C.van Roekel,proposed by the committee,was elected and Mr Eykelhoff was re-elected.
The committee now comprises Mr.J.Smits – President.
Financial Committee.Mr Kardol resigned after being a member of the financial Commit¬tee for 2 years.Messrs v.Soest and Bekkers were willing to serve for T
Mr.O.Luursema offered to act as reserve member and will take BIACP another year.

Tex Banwell presents his battledress to director Wilhelm.(fotograph B.de Reus.)
Tex Banwell donates his battledress.
Mr Keith(Tex) Banwell has donated his battledress,which he wore during the battle of Arnhem and has since carefully kept,to the Airborne Museum.Tex Banwell served in the 10th Parachute Battalion which was dropped over Ginkelse Heath on 18 September 1944. Mr.Banwell frequently took part in the annual commemorative parachute drops over the Ginkel Heath.

Director Wilhelm – behind the scenes.
Work in the Airborne Museum is carried out by a team of full-time and part-time staff. Since 1 November 1979 this team is led by Colonel Wilhelm,the director.Col.Wilhelm has had a long military career. From the beginning of the war he was active in the Dutch resistance.After being arrested by the German Secret Police (S.D.) in 1942 he was in¬terned at Arnhem for some time. In November 1944 he managed to escape to England where he joined the S.O.E. and was trained for special operations,He received parachute training at Ringway.
In May 1945 he left for Ceylon where the S.O.E. operated under the name “Force 136”. In August 1945 he was dropped over Sumatra together with three other parachutists of the “Anglo Dutch Countersection” of Force llb.The four carried out reconnaissance tasks and assisted prisoners of war and civilian detainees.
In April 1946 he was transferred to Batavia,the present day Jakarta,where he served with the Military Intelligence Service.Half a year later he was posted to the Parachute Traini% School at Hollandia in the then Dutch New Guinea.
In 1948 he returned to the Netherlands but after two years he left again, this time to Korea where he was wounded in action. ,
On his return to the Netherlands he serves in a number of capacities including the staff of the Command Tactical Airforces and the Directorate Personnel of the Royal Dutch Air Force Later he was commander of the 3rd Group Guided Missiles and the Royal Air-
Force Academy.
In 1965 he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and three years later to Colonel. Colonel Wilhelm wears the para-wing with golden wreath for operational jumps. Colonel Wilhelm has been decorated on many occasions both in the Netherlands and abroad.

Open Days at Deelen Airfield.
The Society will have a stand at the Open Days at Deelen Airfield on 9,10 and 11 June. The Open Days are to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Royal Dutch Airforce.A new sticker,a commemorative envelope and a poster will be introduced on this occasion.
The sticker shows a number of Dakotas on a light blue background and costs one guilder each.
The commemorative enveloppe shows an aerial photograph of the bombed airbase at Deelen taken on 6 September 1944,eleven days before “Market Garden”.The envelope will have a field postmark which has never been used before.100 envelopes will be reserved for mem¬bers at a reduced price of four guilders including postage in the Netherlands.(one envelope per member.)
The subject of the poster is the start of Operation Market and shows a colour picture of a number of Dakotas ready to leave for the Netherlands.The cost for members is five guilders each,including postage in the Netherlands.
Mrs.J.M.de Langen,Secretary.

New items in the Museum Shop.
Recently introduced items are a new car sticker (light blue Pegasus on a maroon back¬ground, T-shirts, sweatheirs, scarves (special design) and a wall tile with a picture of Hartenstein.
Postal facilities in the Museum.
By popular demand a postage stamp machine and a post box have been installated in the Museum cafetaria.

Audio-Visual introduction to Market-Garden.
The installation of audio-visual equipment to explain Operation Market-Garden is almost complete.Computer controlled,the equipment gives an excellent introduction to those visiting the museum by means of slides and lamps on the model,accompanied by commentary in Dutch,English,German or French.The Dutch commentary has already been used many times;the other languages will be introduced as soon as various faults have been ironed out.
Reprinting of an interesting book.

The book “Kroniek van Ede” by the late Th.A.Boeree has been re-issued by Gijsbers & van Loon.The book provides a wealth of information about the Dutch partisans on the Veluwe and about the unsuccesful parachute landings and the fate of the parachutists.The cost in the Netherlands is 29,50 guilders.The book has not been translated.
Newsletter no 11,
The next newsletter will appear at the beginning of September.

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Vrienden van het Airborne Museum
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM OOSTERBEEK
Utrechtseweg 232, 6862 AZ Oosterbeek, Netherlands
Representative in Gr.Britain: Mr.A.Maynard, M.B.E.
49, Glenfarg Road, Catford, London SE6 1XN
Tel.: Ol.698.8969

NEWS-LETTER No. 8. October 1982
Editor: Drs.R.P.G.A.Voskuil Dutch-English translation: S.G.Beek-Hobart

Dear Friends,
As in past years, the month of September was very much marked by the Commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem. There is still a great amount of interest shown in this Commemoration, and in-between the many well-known faces, countless new faces were to be seen during the most moving and so-familiar service. More than thirty veterans returned here for the first time in thirty-eight years, and for many of them it was difficult to recognise the areas in which they had fought in 1944. The passing of time has almost healed the wounds in the landscape. But the memories remain, and though they may become somewhat faded, they will never be forgotten. As new generations grow up who have not gone through this most difficult period, it is important that they too realise that our freedom was fought for with great sacrifices. Not only the Airborne Cemetery and the various monuments, but also the Airborne Museum can contribute towards this.
It is imperative that this remain so, lest we should forget.
Drs.J.Smits, Chairman.

An Afternoon with a Special Theme on the 20th November, including a talk and the showing of films.
On Saturday, 20th November, an Afternoon with a Special Theme will be held in the Concert- Hall at Oosterbeek. The programme will be as follows: 14.00 hrs.: A talk which will be given by Mr.W.Boersma (committee member of the Airborne Museum Foundation) concerning the radio-communications during the Battle of Arnhem. Mr.Boersma will give an overall picture of not only the organisation of the Signal Service of the First British Airborne Division but also of the transmitter-receivers used and the reasons for the failure of the communications. The talk will be illustrated by the use of slides.
15.00 hrs.: An interval of about twenty minutes.
15.20 hrs.: The presentation of an original news-film about the Battle of Arnhem which was shown in the British cinemas in October, 1944.
15.4-0 hrs. : Presentation of a scientifically-based film which was made in 1967 By the Film & Science Foundation in Utrecht. Not only are original shots from 1944 to be seen, but also maps which have been integrated into the film material, showing moving arrows which help to give an impression of the progress of the various battalions during the Battle of Arnhem.
16.30 hrs.: Meeting closes.

News from the Treasurer and the Membership Administration.
You will find an accept-giro card included in this Newsletter for your contribution for I983 (for members in the Netherlands only). We would be most obliged if you could pay this contribution as promptly as possible, which most certainly helps to simplify our work. Immediately after payment, your Membership/Family Card for 1983 will be sent to you. Members planning to attend the Special Afternoon on the 20th November can of course pay
their contribution at the same time and receive their Membership Card. This saves your time and the Society postage costs! Our grateful. thanks for sue , + hp’lst December-
Should you wish to terminate your membership, this should be one needs a healthv
but do think twice about terminating your support for the Museum, which needs ah althy and increasing membership more than ever. You know of course that ha o a tributions go directly to the Museum!

The death of Mr.P.A.Hyatt.
We have just been informed of the death of Mr.P.A.Hyatt of South Coogee, Australia, a member of our Society and Arnhem veteran.

The Society’s sale of souvenirs a great success.
During the Airborne Walk, which took place on 4th September last, the Society of Friends sold souvenirs to a value of more than f 2000.-. A stall was set up in Oosterbeek at the crossroads near to Schoonoord, and Mrs.De Langen, Mrs.Smit, Messrs Hendriks, Smits, De Ruyter and Erik de Ruyter were in attendance. An amount of f 1698.85 was attributable to the sale of Airborne Museum souvenirs. A “sticker” especially designed for the Society by Mr.De Ruyter which was on sale, produced an amount of f 411.15. Over and above this, 13 new members were registered. All in all, a great success.

The gift of a diary.
One of our members, Mr.C. van het Kaar, M.B.E., who was a liaison officer attached to the 43rd Wessex Division, has given his diary to our Society. This diary covers the period from the 14th September 1944 to the 3rd December 1944.
Polish decoration presented at the Airborne Museum.
A short ceremony took place in the Airborne Museum on the 18th September, during which Captain Z.Gasowski, representing the former First Independent Polish Parachute Brigade, presented Polish decorations to four Dutch inhabitants and to four Polish people residing in the Netherlands. A Polish para-badge of gold was presented to the Burgomaster, Jhr.Mr. H.G. van Holthe tot Echten. Silver para-badges were presented to Mrs.A.W.Winkler-Koert, of the “Lest We Forget” Foundation, Mr.W.Boersma of the Airborne Museum Foundation and Mr.A.Baltussen of the Driel-Poland Committee. These special decorations were presented in recognition of the great effort made by the afore-mentioned in the organisation of the annual Airborne Commemoration.

Dr.Lipmann Kessel donates his medals to the Airborne Museum.
Dr.Lipmann Kessel, an English doctor, was one of the many veterans who came to Arnhem this year for the Commemoration. On 19th September, he made a short visit to the Airborne Museum, whereupon he donated his medal-set. In September 1944, Dr.Lipmann Kessel was assigned as a doctor to the 16th Parachute Field Ambulance, and during the Battle of Arnhem he worked in the hospital, St.Elisabeth’s Gasthuis, in Arnhem. After the fighting, he was taken prisoner-of-war and transported to Apeldoom. He managed to escape and was brought to safety by people in the Dutch Resistance. Under his pseudonym “Daniel Paul”, together with John St.John, he published the book entitled, “Surgeon at Arms” in 1958, which appeared in the Netherlands under the title “Een chirurg valt uit de lucht”. Later editions which were reprinted, appeared under his own name.

A unique instrument has been added to the Museum’s collection.
The Airborne Museum has recently come into possession of an extremely special instrument described as a “Horsa 1, C.G. and Weight Determinator” (“C.G.” signifies “Centre of Gra¬vity”). This instrument was used to accurately ascertain the way in which the cargo of a Horsa.glider should be distributed. The instrument itself consists of an aluminium plate in the shape of a longitudinal section of the Horsa, and this plate can be attached to a weighing mechanism. A great number of holes have been drilled into the plate into which metal discs of varying weight can be attached. These weighted discs can be distributed in such a way that a balance is attained. By proportionately distributing the same weight on the cargo in the real Horsa, the glider maintained a good balance during flight Tn fact though, the loading of the Horsa was often done much more simply withort tSfLSuS’
being used. Then the section of the Horsa glider behind the wings was first loaded until the front wheel left the.ground, and consequently the front section was loaded.
This type.o instrument is very rare, and as far as known, the only other example is to be found in the Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop in England.

A film about the British Medical Service during the Battle of Arnhem.
During the first.week of October a film-team from “Services Sound & Vision Corporation” of the British Ministry of Defence made film shots for a film about the Medical Service during the Battle of Arnhem. The film-team was assisted and advised by the English doctor Stuart Mawson, who wrote “Arnhem Doctor” (see News-letter No. 6). The film is mostly based on his experiences and accentuates the difficult and frequently chaotic circum¬stances under which the British doctors had to work in Arnhem and Oosterbeek in September 19^4. Most of the hospitals and first-aid posts were on the frontline. More than often there was neither water nor electricity and a shortage of bandages and medicine. The doctors often had to carry out operations with the most primitive resources and continual improvisation. For such young and inexperienced doctors such as Mawson, inadequately prepared to such difficult conditions, this was an extremely heavy mission. The film which is now being made is, indeed, meant to show British doctors who are being trained at the Royal Army Medical School in Aidershot this aspect of their work. The Head of the R.A.M.S., Colonel C.Ticehurst, is acting advisor to this film. Most of the shooting of the film is being done in Hartenstein, near Schoonoord and the Old Church in Oosterbeek, and in St.Elisabeth’s Gasthuis as well as the Hulkesteinseweg in Arnhem.
We hope to be able to show this film in one of our future Special Afternoons.

he film-team in action, with Hartenstein in the background.
from  left to right • C Wilson (producer), Colonel C.Ticehurst (Head of Training Institute for British Army Doctors), P.Hopkinson (film director), Dr.Stuart Mawson, P.Fumey soundman), T/Paynter (cameraman) and J.Randall (lighting). (Photo: B. de Reus)

Mr E Gerritsen retired on the 1st October as gardener of Hartenstein Park. As far back  Egbert Gerritsen assisted in the restoration of the war-damaged park and since g6l was SSmSent gardener. When the Airborne Museum was established in Hartenstein House in 1978, the visitors increased extensively. The great care taken by Egbert Gerritsen in upkeeping the gardens has enabled countless visitors to enjoy this lovely park which is so characteristic of Oosterbeek. We are extremely grateful to him.
Plans for a new “Airborne Museum” in Nijmegen.
In May of this year a foundation came into being called “Stichting Bevrijdingsmuseum 1944” (Foundation of the Museum of Liberation 1944) and its objective is “to establish and maintain an historic museum concerning the liberation in September 1944 of the City of Nijmegen & its surroundings”. This initiative has been taken by a group of veterans of the 82nd Airborne Division, whose unexpected arrival on the 17th September, 1944, started the liberation of this area. A delegation attached to this Association arrived in the Netherlands in September, 1981, to discuss their plans. Organisations relating to the former U.S.Troop Carrier Command announced their support. The Foundation would like to see its objectives attained in the Netherlands, in cooperation with the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek and the Society of Airborne Friends in Eindhoven. They hope for extensive support both in Nijmegen and elsewhere in order to realise this new Museum.

New publication of the book entitled, “Arnhem September 1944”.
In 1969 the book entitled, “Arnhem September 1944” was published, compiled by Drs.P.R.A. van Iddekinge, who is attached as historian to the Archive Dept, of the Municipality of Arnhem. The book has been sold-out for many years but has now been reprinted. It contains many photographs, and a concise text (both in Dutch and in English) gives a picture of the events which took place in Arnhem and Oosterbeek in September 1944. The book’s main theme is the attempt – which failed – on the 19th September to reach the bridge with a few battalions via Onderlangs and Bovenover. The battle in this area was covered by two German army photographers, who made an extensive series of photographs which came to light in I967 at the “Bundes-Archiv” in Koblenz. These photographs enabled a good picture to be constructed of the actual events of that Tueday in Arnhem. The book has been reprinted by Gysbers & Van Loon in Arnhem and costs f 24.75. The book is also obtainable at the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek
A new book about the events which took place in the Over-Betuwe, September ’44 – June ’45.

The area between Nijmegen and Arnhem suffered enormous war-damage – very many lives were lost and there was great devastation. The book entitled, “Het Manneneiland” (“Men’s Island”) written by Hen Bollen and Herman Jansen, describes this period.
The book tackles first of all the attempts made by the Allied troops to reach the First British Airborne Division in Arnhem. The fighting which took place at the Waal Bridge is the central theme of the first part of the book, as well as the crossing of the Waal River by the American Parachutists on the 20th September, the account of the first British tanks which managed to cross the Waal Bridge and the baffling reasons why the Waal Bridge failed to be blown-up. When the advance via Elst becomes impossible, the 43rd Wessex Division, after a great deal of difficulties, manages to reach by way of Valburg the Polish parachutists who had landed at Driel on the 21st September. The Polish and troops from the Dorsetshire Regiment then try to strengthen the British, who have become entrapped in Oosterbeek. These attempts have very little success. On the night of the 25th September, the remainder of the British Airborne Division retreats across the Rhine. From that moment onwards, the Germans try to capture the small Allied bridge¬head in the Betuwe. They also make various attempts to destroy the Waal Bridge at Nij¬megen, even using especially trained frogmen and one-man-submarines. However, the vulnerable bridge-head remains in Allied hands.
Life for the civilians becomes untenable, especially when the Germans inundate the Betuwe at the beginning of December. The Allies order that the population be evacuated, and finally only a thousand men remain. Their adventures, life and work in this grim and inundated area is the subject of the rest of the book. “Het Manneneiland” is a publication of “TERRA” in Zutphen, and costs f 39-

News-letter No. 9.
The next News-letter will appear in January, 1983.

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NEWS-LETTER No. 6.

JUNE 1982

Editor: Drs.R.P.G.A.Voskuil

Dutch-English translation: S.G.Beek-Hobart

Dear Friends,

Our Society’s Second Annual General Membership Meeting took place on the 20th March, 1982, in the Concert-Hall in Oosterbeek; 99 of our members were present.

Mr.A.Maynard M.B.E. was also present on this occasion. The Chairman, Mr.H.van Krieken, was unable to attend and the meeting was thus opened by the Vice-Chairman, Mr.J.A.Eykelhoff. First and foremost, the General Report for 1981, the Financial Report for 1981 and the Budget for 1982 were considered. This was followed by the election of the new Committee members as a consequence of the resignation of Mr.H. _van Krieken and Mrs.S.G.Beek-Hobart. Mrs.M.H.Steinweg-ten Horn had already presented her resignation in December 1981.

The three candidates proposed by the Committee were introduced to the members and since no other candidates were presented, they were nominated to the Committee with no further need to vote. Since then, the duties within the Committee have been established and are as follows: Mr.J.Smits, Chairman; Mr.J.A.Eykelhoff, Vice- Chairman; Mrs.J.M. de Langen, Secretary; Mr.H.A.Hendriks, 1st Treasurer;

Mr.R.Fennema, 2nd Treasurer; Mrs.J.Smit-Duchateau, member; Mr.R.P.G.A.Voskuil, member. The Vice-Chairman expressed his appreciation to the resigning members for their considerable contribution towards the Society of Friends.

The Cash Committee was extended from two to three members. Mr.J.Kardol was prepared to remain on the Cash Committee for the forthcoming year, and Messrs. Van Soest and Bekkers were prepared to join the aforesaid Committee.

Then Mr.W.T.B. de Ruyter, who will give the Society technical advice, was introduced to the members present.

In an open discussion thereafter, the members had a great deal of suggestions, many of which have already been discussed within the Committee. Any questions directly concerning the Museum were answered by Major Duyts.

At the end of the meeting, Major Duyts, on behalf of the Foundation Airborne Museum, presented the Vice-Chairman with a Chairman’s hammer for which the Vice-Chairman, on behalf cnf the Committee, was most grateful.

Finally, in closing the Meeting, the Vice-Chairman thanked all those present for their enthusiastic participation and invited all to view the film which had been previously announced in the Committee’s A.G.M. invitation.

A “special afternoon” dedicated to the fighting which took place in Oosterbeek.

On the 26th June, a “special afternoon” will be organised dedicated to the fighting which took place in Oosterbeek during the Battle of Arnhem and concentrated around Hartenstein and the western side of the “perimeter”. This “perimeter” was the bridge-head (in the shape of a horseshoe) held by the British in Oosterbeek and which they continued to defend against the Germans until the very end of the Battle. With the help of maps and aerial and ground photographs from 1944, an effort will be made during the walk which will take place to give an impression of the fighting as it raged in this part of Oosterbeek.

(….download original letter)

The return-walk will then continue along the “Pietersberg and Hartenstem port Park. Your guides for this special afternoon will be Messrs. Groeneweg, van Roekel and Voskuil.                                                                                                  .                                      ,            . . .

Any members wishing to participate in this afternoon are kindly reques e o su mi / 5.- to the Treasurer. For our British members who might happen to be in this area on the date mentioned, such payment can be effected in the office.

What happens to the Museum’s acquisitions?

Various kinds of objects relating to the Battle of Arnhem, as well as documents and photographs, are regularly received from civilians and war veterans. Such donations, whether received directly by the Museum or via our Society, are precisely registered together with the name of the person making the donation or the loan. Up until now, the donator was either thanked verbally or in written form. In the near future, a new and permanent arrangement will come into effect; this will include a “Certifi- caat van Ontvangst” (“Certificate of Receipt”) extended by the Airborne Museum. Some of the objects donated are exhibited first of all in the show-case in the reception room, alongside the maquette. Thereafter, space is found in the exhibition area or they are integrated in the archives or carefully stored. If necessary, objects are first of all cleaned, restored and preserved.

We regret that it is impossible to mention in the News-letter all the donations received; inevitably a choice has to be made.

The Records Department of the Municipality of Arnhem gives Aerial Photo Mosaic.

The Airborne Museum has recently received a large mosaic made up of aerial photo­graphs taken of Arnhem and its surroundings; these photos were taken on the 12th September 1944 by a British reconnaissance ‘plane of the R.A.F. 541 Squadron.

This mosaic, which is now permanently exhibited in the hallway of the upper floor of the Museum, was prepared by the Records Dept, of the Municipality of Arnhem for an exhibition held last year called, “Arnhem van Boven” (“Arnhem from the Air”).

A fortunate coincidence.

Some time ago, the Museum received two bottles of blood plasma which were left behind after the Battle of Arnhem in a house in Oosterbeek where wounded British soldiers had been attended to. Unfortunately the rubber tube and needle belonging to the bottles were missing. Fellow-workers of the Museum got in touch with hospitals and doctors in the hope that such an authentic tube could be found; but to no avail. When this problem was discussed with your Editor, he suddenly remembered that some-” thing resembling the long sought-after objects, had been seen somewhere in his attic. After some hunting around, a tube with fitting needle of the type sought, was discovered. The tube was even complete with glass-holder and filter, as well as the fitted cork for the plasma bottle. It is needless to say that this souvenir has now been removed from your Editor’s attic to the Airborne Museum collection!

The donation of uniform coats.

Two uniform coats have been donated to the Museum by Mrs. B.Breman-Peters from Benedendorp in Oosterbeek. Both coats ones belonged to a soMier and the other belonging to a lieutenant of the Royal Artillery – are in their original and complete state with all their badges.

A significant gift from the Glider Pilot Regimental Association

The British veteran Glider Pilot Regimental Association has donated 500.- to our Society, for which we are extremely grateful.

New diorama presents mortar. (See photograph).

The 3 inch mortar in the cellars of Hartenstein
(photo: B. de Reus)

The diary of a British parachute doctor is published.

A number of books have already been published about the organisation of the British Medical Service and the care for the wounded during the Battle of Arnhem. A short while ago, a new title appeared, “Arnhem Doctor” written by Stuart Mawson. Mawson was the battalion doctor of the 11th Parachute Battalion, which formed part of the 4th Parachute Brigade dropped onto Ginkel Heath on the 18th September 1944. Even though Mawson mentions no names of streets or roads, his descriptions of places and situations are so very clear that we can follow him pretty easily. At the rear of the 11th Battalion, he and his medical personnel march from the Ginkel Heath through Wolfheze to Oosterbeek via the Utrechtseweg, where they arrive in the evening of the 18th September. They continue their march along the Benedendorpsweg in the direction of Arnhem, and having passed the viaduct of Oosterbeek-Laag Station, they overnight in a garden situated on the Klingelbeekse Weg. Early in the morning of Tuesday, 19th September, the march is continued to nearby the Hulkesteinse Weg in Arnhem. The remainder of the 11th Battalion has by then become involved in heavy fighting at Onderlangs-Bovenover and the medical section, with Mawson, utilise the garage of a house onthe Klingelbeekse Weg as a first-aid post. When the situation becomes untenable, Mawson continues his work in a near-by shed, a few hundred metres westward. Here he first meets the Dutch nurse who has such an important role in the rest of the narrative.

Later, on that same 19th September, all the wounded and the medical personnel are evacuated from the shed to Hotel Schoonoord in Oosterbeek, which.was then being used as a hospital. By then, Mawson is definitely divided from his own attalion. As the Battle of Arnhem continues, he remains assigned to the medical staff of

Schoonoord.

Whilst the battle rages in full force, his description of the life and work in that hospital is extremely penetrating. But even more so, it is the way in which he analyses his own emotions as well as those of others, which makes the book so very special. Moreover, Mawson has the great gift of being able to put his experiences and emotions into words in a most fascinating and compelling manner.

His story finishes on the 23rd September, when Schoonoord falls into German hands, and he and all the wounded are taken into captivity.

“Arnhem Doctor”, which is published by Orbis in London, is imported by Keesing BV in Amsterdam and costs f 43-90. There is no Dutch translation of this book.

A new book about the British “Airborne” generals.

“The Silken Canopy” written by the British Major Victor Dover, appeared in 1979 and described the author’s experiences as a parachutist during the Second World War. Victor Dover has now written a second book entitled “The Sky Generals” which is about the generals who commanded the British airborne troops during this period. He describes briefly their youthful periods, their careers and their characters and then continues to study their roles in the building up of the different brigades and divisions as well as the airborne landing operations which took place in enemy territory.

General Gale is the first to be described; he was the first to be given command of the 1st Parachute Brigade which was established on the 15th September, 1942. Gale also led the 6th Airborne Division during the invasion of Normandy in 1944.

A great deal of attention is given to Browning, who is considered the “father” of the British airborne troops. Less well-known generals, such as Hopkinson and Down who were Urquhart’s predecessors in commanding the 1st Airborne Division, are also mentioned. In the chapter entitled “The Magnificent Disaster”, the roles of Urquhart and Sosabowski during the Battle of Arnhem are studied.

General Bols is the last of the “Airborne” generals to be discussed; Bols led the 6th Airborne Division during the attack over the Rhine in March, 1945.

The author also discusses, in a separate chapter, General Wingate who made extensive use of gliders in 1944 to get soldiers and material far behind the Japanese lines in Burma.

Although the strength of the British airborne landing troops has been gradually decreased, they have nevertheless played very important parts in a variety of local conflicts. They helped to maintain order in Palestine between 1945 and 1949 and also participated in the attack on the Suez Canal in 1956. These affairs are also discussed by the author.

“The Sky Generals” was published in 1981 by Cassell in London, and was imported to the Netherlands by Nilsson 8c Lamm BV. The price of this English book is / 44.35.

The News-letter.

The following News-letter will appear at the end of August and will contain a resume of the September Remembrance programme in Oosterbeek.

R.P.G.A.Voskuil.

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SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM OOSTERBEEK Utrechtseweg 232, 6862 AZ Oosterbeek, Netherlands Representative in Gt.Britain: Mr.A.Maynard, M.B.E.
49, Glenfarg Road, Catford, London SE6 1XN
Telephone: OI-698-8969
NEWS-LETTER No. 4, NOVEMBER, 1981
Editor: Drs.R.P.G.A.Voskuil Dutch-English translation: S.G.Beek-Hobart

Dear Friends,
Two months have gone by since the Commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem. As in previous years, it was a time when many of us thought back to those dramatic weeks when liberation appeared to be so near. Once again, hundreds of British and Polish veterans returned to the place where they fought thirty-seven years ago. Civilians and veterans met one another again during the various Commemoration services and very many reminiscences were revived. The Airborne Museum was full to overflowing with visitors from home and abroad. A great number of events took place during the Commemoration which we would have liked to mention, but, alas, lack of space has compelled us to make a selection. Nevertheless, we hope that this News-letter, however modest, will con¬tribute somewhat towards keeping alive the memory of the BATTLE OF ARNHEM.
R.P.G.A.Voskuil.

News from the Chairman.
Mrs.Steinweg-ten Horn, our 2nd Secretary, has given a lot of her time to the Society of Friends since its initiation. However, at the end of September, Mrs.Stein- weg informed us that, if someone else could be found to replace her at the end of the year, she would appreciate being relieved of her position as 2nd Secretary in order to gain more time for her previous activities. However, we most appreciate the fact that Mrs.Steinweg is prepared to continue helping the Society when necessary, though be it not as a Committee member.
At the 2nd Annual General Meeting, according to the Resignation Rota, two Commit¬tee members are due to resign; they are re-eligible. According to the Statutes, Art.8, sub 6, the Committee members are “to be nominated from those members, who, either personally or by family ties, are (or were) involved in the Allied Airborne Landing during the Battle of Arnhem in September, 19^”. Furthermore, it is important that candidates have a good deal of time available, are easy to get in touch with and can regularly undertake all sorts of activities in and around Oosterbeek. It’ is also desirable that they possess more than the average knowledge of English since there is a reasonable amount of English correspondence as well as the fact that our News-letter is also printed in English. With an eye to the future, may we ask you to give some thought to prospective candidates?
H. van Krieken, Chairman,

News from the Secretariat.
We are delighted to announce that our adviser, Maj. W.J.M.Duyts, was decorated, on the 18th September, with the Polish para-wings with golden laurel-wreath which he received from the Zwiazek Polskych Spadochroniarzy, situated in London. This distinc¬tion, which was handed over by Lt. Z.Gasowski, was awarded Maj.Duyts for his numerous activities for the Airborne Museum in general, and for the Polish section in particular. On behalf of all the Society’s members, the Committee has conveyed its congratulations to Maj.Duyts.
most welcome to help cover the costs. . , ,, , n
Our moral and somewhat modest financial support was given to e 7 V Artillery in their sporting achievement in order to collect enough money or e pur¬chase of an adapted car for the veteran, Len Clarke, who was wounded m sue a way during the Battle of Arnhem that he was left a permanent invalid. The collection resulted successfully. t
Another of our members, Mr.Ray Sheriff, performed a marathon “swim. at.the Papen- dal Sport Centre. This was a personal initiative on the part of .Mr.Sheriff in support.of the Year of the Handicapped. As you probably well know, Mr.Sheriff, who lost his. eyesight in 1944, was sponsored by a number of Airbomes. The substantial proceeds were given by him to “Het Dorp”. Mrs.Beek and Mr.Eykelhoff were present at Papendal to cheer him on, and consequently congratulate him.
We received an invitation from the Arnhem-Nijmegen Branch of the Royal British Legion on the occasion of the 60th year anniversary of this fine organisation, which does so much to help the veterans and their families. Mrs.Steinweg, herself a member of the Royal British Legion, attended the Remembrance Service and reception at the Jonker- bosch War Cemetery.
The Society has once again received a few gifts from its members, namely: from Mr.J.H.Adama, three photographs and two small documents; from Mr.K. J.Prockter, a group photograph of “A” Company 2nd Batallion The Parachute Regiment; from Mr.C.Wedgebury, two Dutch newspapers, a “Gelderlander” dated 26.9.1944 and a “Vrij Nederland” dated 14.10.1944; from Mr.E. van de Weerd, his recently-published books, “De Slag om de Veluwe” and “Bevrij- dingskroniek West-Veluwe”; and “on loan”, an American bag from Mr.J.P. den Boer. These most welcome additions were most gratefully received.
Our member, Mr.B.J. van der Meer from Kruiningen, presented the Museum with a fascia (name-board) “Airborne Museum” which he made himself with a great amount of care. This is now hanging above the main entrance at the rear of the Museum.
Finally, we would like to mention that the News-letters are prepared in their en¬tirety, by the Committee. Only the offset printing is done professionally. For this reason, as sincere amateurs, may we ask your clemency in case of inadequacies.
Last, but not least, we would like to thank all those members who have shown such interest, be it from personal contacts, telephone calls or letters.
M.H.Steinweg-ten Horn, 2nd Secretary.

News from the Treasurer.
I am very pleased to say that the contribution for 1982 will remain at a minimum amount of J 15.-, in spite of all the strongly increasing costs. Thanks to an increase of members, as well as to a large number of members who pay more than the minimum con¬tribution, we can continue with our objective, which is “giving support to the Museum”.
An additional point about which we are very pleased is that a Family Admittance Card will be shortly obtainable. The name of the person written-in on the card is thus con¬sidered an “ordinary member”, whilst the other family members are considered’”extra¬ordinary members”. The amount payable on such a Family Admittance Card will be a minimum of f 25.-, regardless of the number in the family; they must however all be living at the same address.
The enclosed Accept-Giro cards can be used for the payment of your I982 contribu¬tion. Would you be so kind as to fill in on this card, “ordinary member” or “extraordi¬nary member”. This only applies, of course, to those living within the Netherlands
Finally, we would like to mention that any new members registering after 1st July of the current year need only pay a half-year’s contribution. Those who register after the 31st October need not pay any contribution for that current year provided that the contribution for the following calendar year is booked over immediately.
H.Hendriks, Treasurer.

An Afternoon with a Special Theme: Arnhem and Oosterbeek in ftdne
After the Liberation in May, 1945, when civilians returned to the South-Veluwe
Sfea1j parts of Arnhem, Oosterbeek and surrounds were terribly destroyed AN J.U +u ’ a^ur’iayi 28th November, an afternoon will be organised, with this period as the theme of the afternoon.
.Mr.G.H.Maassen, who complied “Oosterbeek Verwoest” (“Oosterbeek in Ruins”) will give a oriet introduction over his study on this subject. Then, together with Mr.Voskuil,
e?. W1 > shown of photographs taken in 1945, and you will be le d on an imaginary walk through the debris of Oosterbeek and surroundings.
At the end of the afternoon, the film, “Thuiskomst” (“Homecoming”) will be shown. This documentary, which was commissioned by the Municipality of Arnhem, was made in 19^5 by R.Hornecker. The film shows us how the people of Arnhem returned to their war-tom city and how they tried to make it relivable again. The Municipality Archives in Arnhem has kindly made this film available.
This special afternoon on the 28th November will take place in the Concert-Hall on the Benedendorpsweg, opposite the old church, in Oosterbeek, and will start at 2.15 P-m.
A contribution of f 2.50 per person will be payable to help finance such an after¬noon, so that the Society’s funds are not too depleted.

Thirteenth reprint of the book, “It Was Like This / Zo was het”.
During the last 25 years, very few descriptions of the Battle of Arnhem have been so regularly reprinted as the book, “It Was Like This / Zo was het”, written by Lt.Col. C.B.Mackenzie, D.S.O., O.B.E. The first edition appeared in 1955, and contained 48 pages. Since then, the photo material in particular has been regularly supplemented. In the 9th edition, an account appeared, for the first time, of the role of the First Independent Polish Parachute Brigade Group during the fighting in Oosterbeek and Driel. This resulted in increasing the book’s volume to 84 pages. To this date, 29,000 copies have already been sold. The rights of publication which were originally in the hands of the Airborne Committee, have now (for this 13th edition) been passed on to the Airborne Museum Foundation.
The book costs f 9.50.

Brig. Mackenzie visits the Airborne Museum.
Brig. Mackenzie (then a Lt.-Col.), who was General Staff Officer 1 (Ops) on Gen. Urquhart’s staff during the Battle of Arnhem, visited the Airborne Museum in Hartenstein on Sunday afternoon of the 20th September last. This was, for Brig. Mackenzie, his first visit. He was shown round by Messrs. Wilhelm and Boersma. During the tour, Brig. Mackenzie gave a most interesting account of the situation in Hartenstein House during the Battle of Arnhem, when the building was being used by the First British Airborne Division as their Headquarters. After the tour, Brig. Mackenzie signed a number of copies of the 13th edition of his book, “It Was Like This / Zo was het”.

Brig. Mackenzie and Mr.Boersma (r.) visited the diorama of Gen. Urquhart’s command post, in the cellar of Hartenstein. (Photograph B. de Reus)

A new Airborne Museum Guide.
Both the Dutch and English editions of the new Airborne Museum Guide have now been published; this sixteen-page illustrated booklet is available for the price of f 1.-. The first few pages of the Guide relate briefly, though concisely, the events which took place in 1944. The rest of the Guide contains brief descriptions of all the exhibition areas open to the visitor during the tour of the Museum.

New publications about the Battle of Arnhem.
The number of publications since 1945 regarding “Arnhem”, is ever-increasing. We would now like to draw your attention to a recently published book, “Bevrijdingskroniek West-Veluwe” (“Chronicle of the West-Veluwe Liberation”) written by E. van de Weerd en G.Crebolder. Although the largest part of the book is dedicated to the fighting which took place in the Municipalities of Ede and Barneveld in April 1945, nevertheless the first three chapters are completely concentrated on the battle in 1944 and a few events which followed inasmuch as they occurred in the afore-mentioned municipalities.
The book opens with a chapter about the landing on the Ginkel Heath on the 18th September 1944 and the fighting which followed. Then, there is an extensive description of the Pegasus I and II Operations, in October and November 1944, which were meant to see that the Allied soldiers who had been left behind after the Battle of Arnhem were brought to safety on the other side of the Rhine. The third chapter is dedicated to “The Incredible Patrol”. It is the story of an intelligence-officer of the 101st American Airborne Division, who, together with five men from the Betuwe, crossed the Rhine on the 30th October 1944, into the still German-occupied Veluwe. The chapter tells of their wanderings over a period of days, and how they return, via Wolfheze, the Ginkel and Heelsum, to their division in the Betuwe, with twenty German prisoners of war.
The book is well-written and contains many interesting photographs and maps. It is published by the Bameveldse Drukkerij en Uitgeverij (Bamevelds Printers and Publishers) and costs f 28,-.

Monument to the 21st Independent Parachute Company.
On the 21st September, 1981, in the garden of the house, “Quatre Bras” (crossroads Utrechtseweg-Stationsweg in Oosterbeek), a monument was unveiled to the 21st Independent Parachute Company in memory of their presence in this area in 1944. This seems, in a way, hardly special; so many memorial plaques and monuments have been erected over the past years. However, what is notable in this case is that it concerns an extremely original monument (designed by the 23-year-old Saskia Deurvorst from Oosterbeek) and that the text is, for the first time, dedicated to the population of Oosterbeek and the support which was given: “In memory of the 21st Independent Parachute Company which held this area during the Battle of Arnhem and of the people of Oosterbeek who sacrificed so much to give their support”. David Eastwood, C.B.E., M.C., then one of the platoon-commanders, and Ans Kremer, living at Stationsweg 8 in 1944, both gave moving speeches, and then together removed the English and Dutch flags from the memorial.
The Burgomaster of Renkum and his wife, together with many English and Dutch sym¬pathisers were present at this ceremony.
The stimulating and active cooperation of the owners of “Quatre Bras”, B. & D. Architects Bureau, was exemplary. The English veterans and their Dutch guests were given a warm and splendid welcome, which was both mentally and physically stimulating; without mentioning the fact that the hosts took such great pains, at their own cost, in orga¬nising everything prior to the unveiling.
On this rather matter-of-fact note, we would also like to tell of an individual human experience: after 37 years, David Eastwood saw for the first time the then five year old little girl whom he, as a twenty-four year old lieutenant – in between his official activities – had tried to amuse in the cellar of “Quatre Bras” by playing games to try and take her mind off the incomprehensible horror of war.
A.Groeneweg.

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