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SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM OOSTERBEEK
Utrechtseweg 232,6862 AZ Oosterbeek, the Netherlands
Representative in Great Britain: Mr.F.Young, ó.Kildown Gardens,Cliftonville,Kent CT9 3EG.
NEWSLETTER NO 40 Editor:Drs. R.P.G.A.Voskuil
OCTOBER 1990 Translation:Mrs.A.Meeuwsen

From the Editor.
The 46th Commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem was again an impressive and moving event.Apart from the large official functions,there were smaller meetings at different places.like reunions of units of the Division or meetings at which a monument or a plaque were unveiled.
It was a very busy time for the Museum and this year again there were visiting veterans who came to donate some special souvenir.
Because of the modest size of this Newsletter.it is impossible to relate all events which took place during this period.so we were forced to make a choice.We will.however, write about some more special meetings in our next Newsletter.
“Crossroads Oosterbeek,September 22nd,1944” in Airborne Museum.
This famous painting can now be seen at the Museum.lt was painted in 1946 by David Shepherd.who had been commissioned by the 4th Para Brigade,and for years it hung in the Officers’Mess of lOth Para Battalion.On Sunday,September 21st,General Sir John Hackett handed it over to the Museum as a permanent loan. It has been given pride of place in the large room of the Museum.
“Not one shall be forgotten.”
A memorial stone was unveiled beside the Old Church at Oosterbeek on Sunday,Septem¬ber 23rd after the 9 o’clock morning service.The flags which hid the monument were uncovered by General Sir John Hackett.Captain Z.Gasowski and Mrs. Kate ter Horst. The text on the stone reads:”In September 1944 British Airborne soldiers and their Polish comrades.with support of brave Dutch men and women.fought a grim battle round this ancient church in the struggle to liberate the Netherlands from Nazi tyranny. This stone commemorates all who took part in this action and above all those who died. NOT ONE SHALL BE FORGOTTEN.”
Sculptor donates statuette to Renkum Municipality■
Sculptor Jits Bakker,who as a seven-year-old boy watched the air-landings at Renkum, has donated a bronze statuette (height 1 metre) of a parachutist to Renkum Munici¬pality. It was unveiled near Hartenstein House on September 21st by the Mayor.Mr. J. Verlinden.in the presence of many veterans. The artist has donated his statuette as an homage to all soldiers who fought here for freedom in September 1944.

Special-Subiect Afternoon on Saturday.November 3rd.
A special-subject afternoon will again be held for our 3rd.We will meet at the ELEKTRUM near Arnhem where we wi the sixth time.
The programme is as follows:
13.30 – 14.00 hrs : arrival of members.
14 00 – 15 00 hrs : Lecture by Mr.A.Schemkes of Arnhem about the actions which took place in September 1944 around Johanna Hoeve, an area roughly confined by the Wolfhezerweg ,Amsterdamseweg,Dryenseweg and the Arnhem-Utrecht railway line.For many years now.Mr. Schemkes has been making a special study about the battle m this area.The lecture will be illustrated by slides.
15.00 – 15.30 hrs : tea-break.
15.30 – 16.00 hrs : continuation of lecture by Mr. Schemkes.
16.00 – 16.30 hrs : showing of the film “Airdrop at Arnhem”, an American film- documentary from the Fifties.
The ELEKTRUM is situated at the Klingelbeekseweg near Arnhem,a small distance West of the road-junction Onderlangs/Bovenover.Telephone numer 085-568020.
Members are this time allowed to bring guests, these are required to pay an entrance fee of ƒ 5,- .
Placing of two new memorial pillars.
Some years after the Battle of Arnhem,five wooden memorial pillars were placed in Oosterbeek at points which had played an important role during the Battle.During the years that followed,these pillars suffered from the weather and also from vandalism.This resulted in the replacement of three of them by stone pillars.
These three were placed at the upper end of the Drijenseweg, along the Valkenburg- laan and near the Old Church.
The condition of the two remaining wooden pillars went from bad to worse and after letters from an inhabitant of Oosterbeek and from our Society to the Municipal Council.money was given by the council for the replacement of these last two pillars. We are pleased to teil you that these new stone pillars have now been put into place, one near the house called “Beukenhove” on the Utrechtseweg 192 and one near the Tafelberg Hotel.The text on the Tafelberg pillar has also been adjusted.
Polish Badges of Honour.
This year,Polish Badges of Honour were awarded to the following persons: Mrs.A.E Verstand,Mrs.H.Berendsen.Mrs. J.G.G.Nusselder.Mrs.A.de Jong,Mr.A.Zelebowski, Mr. C.Luursema and Mr.W.Scholten.Captain Z.Gasowski,leader of the Polish delegation^ presented the badges on September 21st.
Donation by Health Insurance Company.
The Health Insurance Company “Het Zilveren Kruis” has donated a number of advanced appliances to aid visually handicapped people. These will be placed at the disposal of Arnhem veterans. The Airborne Forces Security Fund at Aldershot will take care of the distribution. Our member Mr.C.van Roekel has played an intermediary role in this matter. 1
From the Treasurer.
Enclosed with this Newsletter you will find the giro-card for payment of your yearly subscnption Members who pay before November 3rd,can obtain their new membership card during the Special-subject afternoon on November 3rd. The cost of the subscription is f 20.- for single members, f 30,- for a family membership.

General Sir John Hackett during the presentation of’ the painting “Oosterbeek Crossroads,22 September 1944”
(Photo:B.de Reus.)

Ministory from book “Mission Completed”.
The other day Mr. R.J.E.M.van Zinnicq Bergmann’s book “Het doel bereikt” (Mission Completed) was published.The book starts with the author’s adventurous escape from occupied Holland to England.There and in Canada he was trained as a fighter-pilot. During the Allied advance through Europe he took part in a large number of attacks at enemy targets,flying a Typhoon.One of these attacks took place on September 17th,1944,and was aimed at the German flak positions near Arnhem. The story of this attack has been chosen as the Ministory to go with this Newsletter.
The book is well worth reading.it contains 208 pages and has been illustrated by photo’s.It has been published by Van Mazijk at Leiden and costs ƒ 29,90.
Donation by Thanet Branch.
Our Society has received a gift of £ 50. from the Thanet Branch.The money will be allocated to educational purposes.

Gliders land again at Wolfheze.
Gliders landed again at Wolfheze for the first time since 1944, on September 22nd. The two gliders were towed behind power-planes from Terlet and uncoupled over the landing-areas,after which they made a perfect landing.The pilots of the gliders, both members of the Terlet glider club, were accompanied by two ex-glider pilots, lan Toler and John McGeough, who very much appreciated this chance to land again at Wolfheze after so many years.The initiative for this flight came from Mr.Luuk Buist of Oosterbeek,who organized this event,together with a large number of assistants. There are plans to organize this event again next year.so that the role played by. the Glider Pilot Regiment during the Battle of Arnhem be kept alive.
The 13th Commemorative envelope.issued by the Airborne Museum shows the painting by David Shepherd “Oosterbeek Crossroads,September 22nd,1944. The envelopes are numbered and provided with a special postmark,dated Septem er , • ’
Society receives part of proceeds from exhibition.
In our last Newsletter we wrote about an exhibition to be shown at the Westerbouwing restaurant.More than 3.000 people visited this exhibition,many of which gave a small donation.The total proceeds,ƒ 540,-,were divided between our Society and the Foundation “Lest We Forget”.

R.Kershaw “It never snows in September”.
The other day a book was published’ which gives a survey of the German reaction on the air-landings during Operation Market Garden.lt has been based on countless interviews and on a sound study of the available records.
It is true that a small number of books on this subject has been published before, but they gave a one-sided and highly coloured view of the German experiences, while at the same time there was no book to give a total view.
Major Kershaw has filled this gap with his book which is totally unbiased and which has been written in an exemplarily sober style. A great number of the illustrating photographs comes from the Wochenschau film,taken around Oosterbeek.These photographs will be new to most readers.The maps are excellent,apart from a few typographical errors, and have been printed in colour.
The Airborne Museum has a limited number of this book in its shop.In my opinion.this book deserves a place on the bookshelf of everyone who takes this subject seriously. Price : ƒ 97,25. (A.Groeneweg.)

Two new guide-books about Operation Market Garden.
Two new guide-books have come out about the area in which Operation Market Garden took place. “Operation Market Garden I”covers the operations area of the lOlst and the 82nd American Airborne Divisions between Eindhoven and Nijmegen. In “Operation Market Garden II” most attention is given to Arnhem and its surroundings,describing the actions of the Ist British Airborne Division and the Ist Polish Independent Parachutist Brigade.
Both books,which were compiled by Mr.L.P.J.Vroemen,contain a short historie introduction.a short survey of the actions of the air-landing divisions and a number of walking- and car routes along the several historie places.They also contain a short list of relevant books,a number of maps and a survey of cemeteries, museums and yearly commemorations.
The presentation of these books took place in Hotel Sionshof, situated between Nijmegen and Groesbeek, on September 17th.
The books have been published by the European Library at Zaltbommel and cost ƒ17,90 each.

“Een Drielenaar in Oorlogstijd” can now be ordered.
This book by Mr.Benjamin Jansen of Driel describes his experiences during the Battle of Arnhem and the time afterwards.Mr.Jansen published this book himself in a very limited number.Apart from Mr. Jansen’s diary,the book contains also stories from 20 other inhabitants of Driel.
This book (251 pages) has now sold out,but it is still in demand.In order to issue a reprint which can be sold at a reasonable price (ƒ 21,-),a minimum number of 50 books must be printed. If you are interested in this book and want to order one (or more) copies,please contact Mr. G.H.Maassen Sr.,Jan van Riebeeckweg 82 6861 BH at Oosterbeek.
In our next Newsletter we hope to tell you whether there will be a reprint of this book

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SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM OOSTERBEEK
Utrechtseweg 232, 6862 AZ OOSTERBEEK, The Netherlands
Representative in Great Britain: Mr. F.Young, 6,Kildown Gardens, Cliftonville, Kent CT 9 3 EG
Editor:Drs.R.P.G.A.Voskuil Translation:Mrs.A.Meeuwsen
Presentation of “De Polen van Priel” and opening of the exhibition.
The presentation of “De Polen van Driel,the first Polish Independent Parachute Brigade of General-Major Stanislaw Sosabowski during the Battle of Arnhem”,took place on Friday,March 23rd ,in the Airborne Museum. The author,Mr.George F.

Cholewczynski.had come over from America especially for this. The first speaker was the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Airborne Museum,Mr. Verlinden.who welcomed the guests.Then followed Flora Bouman on behalf of the publishing firn.,LUNET of Naarden.She gave a short talk about the realization of the publication of this book.
Then the author presented the first copy of the book to Mr.G.H.Maasse Sr. It was Mr.Maassen who first took the initiative to gather and publicize infor mation about the Polish Para Brigade and the röle it played at ne . .
On behalf of the Dutch team which has been assisting Mr.Cholewczynski during the past six years,Mr.Voskuil presented the author with a special souvenir of the Battle of Arnhem.lt consist of a small piece of string belonging to a Polish parachute which was dropped on Zone K near Driel on September 21st,1944. This piece of string had been dug up again presentation,had been framed,surrounded by After the presentation it was time for the Polish Brigade by Mr. B.Lincewicz,a Polish
On Saturday,March 24th,the book was presented to the members of the Society, during the General Annual Meeting.A large number of the members present availed themselves of the opportunity to buy a copy of the book and to have it signed by the author who was present at the meeting.

10th Anniversary excursion on Sunday,June 10th.
This excursion was already mentioned in our last Newsletter.We can now give you the programma for this day:
10.00 hrs. Arrival of the participants at the mooring-pontoon of Heymen Ship- owners,on the Rijnkade at Arnhem. Coffee.
10.30 hrs. Walk around the Northern ascent of the John Frost Bridge.Mr.Drs.van
Iddekinge,who is the municipal archivist,will give information about the actions which took place in this area between September 17th and 21st,1944.
12.30 hrs. Return to the Rijnkade to board the excursion boat.
13.00 hrs. Lunch.During lunch the boat will travel up-river for some miles.
The excursion proper will begin after lunch, the boat will take us from Arnhem,along the Veluwezoom to Wageningen and back to Arnhem. During this trip a large number of points along the river can be observed which played a röle in the Battle of Arnhem.They can all be found in the special excursion guide.
17.00 hrs. Arrival at Arnhem.

Booking. The boat can accommodate 200 passengers. You are advised to book soon. The costs are ƒ 37,50 for (family)members and ƒ 42,50 for guests. Bookings are accepted via giro nr. 44 03 641 of Vereniging Vrienden van het Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, mention “Rijnexcursie.”
The costs include the excursion,coffee on arrival, lunch and the excursion guide. The extensive guide contains 26 pages with a lot of photo’s and maps. Several members have helped to compile this guide.

Parking.As this excursion takes place on a Sunday,parking on the Rijnkade and along the river will offer no problems.There is also parking space on the Grote Markt between the St.Eusebius Church and the Provinciehuis.
If you come by train,the distance from the station to the Rijnkade is about a 10 minutes walk.
Members who do not live at Oosterbeek or Arnhem,will find enclosed with this Newsletter a small map with detailed information.
People who come from Nijmegen are advised to take‘the Nelson Mandela bridge,they will reach the Rijnkade via Weerdj esstraat and Vossenstraat.
If you are unable to take part in the mornino’e woiv …
At 12 30 hr morning walk,you can join the excursion at Iz.JU nrs tor the lunch on board and the boat-trip.

Society donates camera to Airborne Museum.

On the occasion of the lOth Anniversary,the societ donated a ZEISS SUPER IKONTA photo camera to the Museum.In September 1944 this type of camera was used by the Army Film and Photographic Unit (AFPU) to take photographs of the
actions at Wolfheze and Oosterbeek. The size of the negatives is 6 x 6 cm, each film supplies twelve photo’s.

There was a special reason for the fact the the British Army photographers had been supplied with German camera’s: they came from Sweden. The Germans had exchanged a series of these camera’s for Swedish ball-bearings.Afterwards the Swedes sold these camera’s to Great Britain! They were then used to supply the AFPU with camera’s.
Although these camera’s produced good photographs,they had the disadvantage that one could only shoot twelve pictures with one film.The British camera-men had only taken films with them for two days’ shooting,when it appeared that the battle would not be over within two days,they could no longer use their camera’s.
The German army photographers of the “Propaganda Kompanien” used Leica 35 mm camera’s with 36 pictures on one film..
A figure representing the British camera man Gordon “Jock” Walker will be placed, holding the camera, in the diorama in the basement of the Museum. The figure is also a gift from the Society to the Museum.

“De Polen van Priel”:fllling a gap in the history of the Battle of Arnhem.
Much has been written about the Battle of Arnhem during the past 45 years. However, the röle of the Polish Para Brigade in this battle has always been a rather shadowy one. But now there is a book which has been dedicated to this Brigade.Is does not only describe the Battle of Arnhem, but also the previous history of the Brigade, its foundation, its training and also the history of its remarkable commander,General-Major Stanislaw Sosabowski.
The research for this book has taken more than six years.The American author Mr. George F. Cholewczynski interviewed tens of veterans and was allowed to study every report,both in English and in Polish, in the United States and in England.
All this has resulted in the appearance of a sound and very readable book. Although its title might suggest that it only describes the actions in and around Driel,the author does give extensive Information about the presence of the Polish troops in and near Oosterbeek.
The book is well-produced, it contains about 290 photographs,many of which have never been published before.
The publisher is LUNET of Naarden.The book costs ƒ 39,95.

 

Commemorative envelope.Towards the end of 1989,the Polish authorities issued a series of special stamps,depicting Polish commanders during the second world war. One of these stamps has been dedicated to General-Major Stanislaw Sosabowski and the Battle of Arnhem.

It took a lot of effort to obtain a sufficiënt number of these stamps but in the end they arrived in Oosterbeek. The Society has decided to use them for a special commemorative envelope which will be stamped in Warsaw. The envelopes will cost ƒ 5,- and be on sale at the Museum,during our excursion on June lOth, and of course via the giro account of our treasurer.
New books: Our member,Drs.A.Groeneweg,has translated Geoffry Powell’s book “The Devil’s Birthday into Dutch. See also Newsletter No. 37.
Hackett’s book “I was a stranger”, can now be bought at the Museum in a paper¬back edition. ƒ 28,70.
“De Polen van Driel” appears to be a best-seller.If you have not got it yet.you’d better hurry!
“Theirs is the glory”:we have been able to obtain some copies of this film on video.lt can be bought at the Museum, ƒ 87.50.
Stop-press : our excursion on June lOth. During the morning walk around the Northern aspect of the bridge,we will be able to visit the top floor of the B.A.S.F. building near the bridge. This will give us a marvellous view over the whole area. We are very happy that the Directors have been so kind as to open their building to us – on a Sunday,too! – and we know that the participants will appreciate this kind gesture very much.
The excursion has not yet been fully booked, but we advise you not to wait too long.The sooner we know the exact number,the sooner we can plan the catering,etc. Additional excursion guides can be obtained ,they cost ƒ 5 –

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SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM OOSTERBEEK
Utrechtseweg 232,6862 AZ Oosterbeek,the Netherlands
Representative in Great BritiancMr.F.Young, 6,Kildown Gardens,Cliftonville,Kent CT9 3EG
NEWSLETTER No 36 Editor:Drs.R.P.G.A.Voskuil
OCTOBER 1989 Translation:Mrs.A.Meeuwsen

From the Editor.
This year again thousands of people,among whom were hundreds of veterans,attended the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem.The service of remembrance in the Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek,was,as always,the most impressive and moving high point of the week.
Although the programme was more or less similar to that of other years,there were also some special meetings,like the one at Driel where the monument to the Royal Engineers and the Royal Canadian Engineers was unveiled.
In order to give those members who could not be present.an impression of the various events.we have decided,like we did in 1984,to include with this News- letter a photo coverage of the various meetings.Because of the special character of this’45th commemoration,and also on the occasion of the forthcoming lOth anniversary of our Society,the photo’s will this time be in colour. All photo’s were taken by our own photographer,Mr.B.de Reus.
Our series of Mini-stories will be continued in our next Newsletter.

Special-Subject Afternoon on Saturday,November 25th.
A special-subject afternoon will again be held for our members on Saturday, November 25th,1989.We will meet in the ELEKTRUM at Arnhem,where we will be welcome guests for the fifth year.
The programme will be as follows:
13.30- 14.00 hrs : arrival of the members
14.00-15.00 hrs : Lecture by Mr.G.H.Maassen from Oosterbeek on the röle played by the First Independent Polish Parachutist Brigade during the Battle of Arnhem. Mr.Maassen,who is the archivist of Renkum Municipality,has for many years made a special study of this subject.His lecture will be illustrated by colour – slides,most of which have not been shown before.
This lecture coincides with the forthcoming publication of the book “De Polen van Driel” by the American author George Cholwczynsky,which describes the experiences of the Polish parachutists at Driel.Mr.Maassen will give more Information about this book.
15.00-15.30 hrs : tea-break.
15.30- 16.00 hrs : continuation of lecture by Mr.Maassen.
16.00-16.45 hrs : showing of the new video-documentary “Forever in our Memory” (More Information about this film further on in this Newsletter).This film will be for sale during the tea-break and af ter tha showing.
The ELEKTRUM is situated at the Klingelbeekseweg in Arnhem,a small distance West of the road junction Onderlangs/Bovenover. Telephone number 085-568020.

Donation to the Museum of General Urquhart’s personal pennant.
During a special meeting in the Museum on September 15th, Mrs.Pamela Urquhart handed over to the Museum the personal pennant belonging to her late husband, General R.E.Urquhart. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Airborne Museum,Drs.J.W.A.M.Verlinden.accepted the pennant on behalf of the Museum.
This pennant,fastened to a lance.stood for a large period of the duration of the Battle at the back of the then Divisional Headquarters.Hartenstein House. One of the most published photographs of General Urquhart of that time shows him at the back of Hartenstein House,the pennant beside him. ,
Just before the Division’s evacuation across the Rhine,General Urquhart s batman, Corporal Hancock, hid the pennant inside his battle blouse.After his arrival at NijmegenjCorporal Hancock returned the pennant to General Urquhart,who was very pleased and surprised as he thought that it had been left behind.
Afterwards,this maroon pennant with the blue Pegasus,was framed behind glass and hung on the wall in the Urquhart family home in Scotland.Now.after 45 years.it has returned to Hartenstein,where it will be given a place of honour.

Two new life-members.
Two more persons have applied for a life-membership: Mr.Izak de Vries from Haifa, Israël, and Mr.Eric Seal from England.

Important gifts.
During the past commemoration week, our Society has received several important gifts of money.
Mr.James Swanston donated ƒ 1100,-,on behalf of the 7th (Galloway) Battalion, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers. This Battalion also donated a chair to the Museum.
Mr.J.R.Roberts donated F 350,- on behalf of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical— Engineers (REME).
The Thanet Branch ircn England donated £ 25. for the schools project,and a member of the Thanet Branch donated the same sum for this project.
The Society is very grateful to these givers for their great generosity.

New souvenirs for sale.
During the past month,several new articles have been purchased.Mr.Ch.van Roekel, who is responsible for the buying and selling of souvenirs,together with Mrs.M. de Langen and Mr.W.T.B.de Ruyter.has compiled a special information leaflet which you will find with this Newsletter.
Memorial Booklet.
During the reception on September 22nd on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Airborne Museum and the Society for Geography and History of Renkum Municipality, a memorial booklet was presented, called “In Heerlijckheit en Hoofd¬kwartier 1949-1989”. (For more information about this booklet,see Newsletters No 33 and No 35.)
This booklet,which is only in the Dutch language.was written by Messrs Dr H J Leloux and W.J.M.Duyts.It contains about 45 photographs,most of which daté from the period that the Airborne Museum was still housed in a wooden shed and afterwards in part of the stables of Doorwerth Castle.
This booklet can be bought at the Museum and costs F. 10,-.
Polish Badges of Honour.
Among those who received the Polish Badge of Honour from this year’s leader of the Polish Pilgrims.Mr.Gasowski.were two members of the staff of the Museum- the director.Mr.C.Wilhelm and the curator.Mr.B.de Reus.
The Polish Government conferred a high Polish order on our member Mrs. C. Baltussen

Mrs.Pamela Urquharc donates the personal pennanc belonging co her late husband to the chairroan of the Board of Trustees of the Airborne Museum, Drs.J.W.A.M.Ver 1 inden (photo: B.de Reus).

Donation of set of medals.
While visiting Oosterbeek on the occasion of the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem,Mr.Eric Seal from England has donated his medals to the Airborne Museum. During the Battle,Mr.Seal belonged to the First Para Battalion.
This set will also be given a place in the special show-case in the Museum.
Unveiling of the Engineers Monument.
This unveiling took place in the afternoon of Friday.September 15th. The monument is dedicated to the Royal Engineers and the Royal Canadian Engineers. The 260 and 553 Field Company RE and the 20 and 23 Field Company RCE were responsible for the evacuation across the river Rhine of the survivors of the First British Airborne Division.This evacuation,which took place in the night of September 25th/26th,1944,was executed under heavy German artillery-fire.
The idea to erect this monument was born after a lecture on the subject by Mr.H.Duinhoven in November 1988. (Information about the ensuing activities can be found in Newsletter No. 34.)
The monument was designed by our member.Mr.H.van de Brand. It was unvelled by Colonel Holburn.who.as a young corporal of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, was himself evacuated across the Rhine by the Engineers in September 1944.
New Commemoration envelope.
In the series of commemoration envelopes,the twelfth was issued by the Museum last September. This time it shows an enlarged picture of the commemoration medal which was presented to all veterans during their visit to Arnhem and 0os~ terbeek. The envelopes are numbered and provided with a special postmark,dated September 17th,1989. The price is ƒ 5,-.

“Forever in our Memory”, a gripping documentary.
On September 7th of this year.the first showing took place of the video film “Blijvend in Herinnering”. This documentary aims to give an answer to the question why we keep on remembering the Battle of Arnhem till to day.
The village of Oosterbeek,the place where the British troops kept on fighting till the last minute.plays the central part in this story.
In the first part of the film we hear the stories of a number of veterans and civilians about their experiences during the Battle. One of them is sergeant Gordon Walker,a camera man who filmed the actions of the British air landing troops.He tells his story with the help of fragments of his own films.
Other participants are General Urquhart, Father Dijken,who worked in the Tafel¬berg field hospital,and Mr.Bal,who watched at close range the landings of the gliders and the parachutists. Their stories are also illustrated by unique professional and amateur film fragments.
The second part of the film describes the origin of the commemorations directly after the war. The then acting burgomaster of Renkum Municipality,Mr. J.ter Horst,took the initiative,together with General Urquhart,to organize a remembrance service in the Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek. We are shown pictures of that first service and of the laying of the foundation stone for the Airborne Monument.
Inhabitants of Oosterbeek who,as a schoolchild,were the first to lay flowers on the graves during the commemoration service,teil their story:Mrs. H.de Jongh- Langevoort and Messrs. H.Kardol and J.Hartgers.
The film ends with pictures of subsequent commemorations.
The duration of this film is 40 minutes,there is also an English version,titled: “Forever in our Memory”. It can be obtained from the Museum and from Bal Video Produktie,Rozensteeg 1, 6862 DH,Oosterbeek, tel. 085-340719.
The price is ƒ 55,-. Apart from the VHS-system ,there are also other systems in supply.
Second photo book about”Arnhem in 1945 “.
In April 1985,a book was published called “Arnhem voorjaar 1945,Wandelen door een verlaten stad” (“Arnhem^pring 1945,walking through a deserted city”.) This book,illustrated with photo’s by the Arnhem photographer Nico Kramer,gives an impression of Arnhem as it looked in 1945.The interest in this book was so large that the compilers,Wim Verhoef and Paul Vroemen,decided that a second book was called for. The first book contained about 200 photo’s, but Nico Kramer had taken more than 800 pictures in 1945. It was therefore not difficult to make a choice for a second book.
This second book has now appeared.One cannot but be impressed by the way Kramer managed to picture so sharply and clearly the enormous devastation and scenes of desolation which made up Arnhem in that time.
Kramer systematically photographed streets and houses in every part of the town. Much of what he photographed can no longer be recognized as such.new buildings have taken the place of the ruined ones.Many other houses,however,could be restored.and are still recognisable.
The compilers have given each photo a short note and indication of its place, so it is very well possible to walk through the town with the book as one’s guide and see for oneself how the town has risen again from its ruins.
The book also contains a Street plan.
Part of Nico Kramer’s diary has been incorporated with the text which is both in Dutch and in English.The same applies to the notes with the photo’s.
The book costs ƒ 49,50 and is obtainable from booksellers in Arnhem and from Kramer’s photoshop,Looyerstraat,also in Arnhem

Bijiage bij Nieuwsbrief No. 36.
Appendix to Newsletter No. 36.
45ste HERDENKING VAN DE SLAG OM ARNHEM
45th COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF ARNHEM
1944 – 1989

 

 

Foto’s/Photographs: B. de Reus, Airborne Museum, Oosterbeek.

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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. 71, August 1998
Representative in Great Britain: Mr. E.E. Shaw, 298 Totnes Road Paignton – Devon TQ4 7HD Tel. 0803-553616

Normandy excursion
The plans for an excursion to Normandy announced in the last Newsletter have now taken shape.
The 5-day trip will take place from 26 to 30 May 1999 inclusive. The association considers itself lucky to be able to call on the help of one of our members, Mr Jac. Haegens from Sittard. In the last ten years Mr Haegens has organised many battlefield tours in the region and his knowledge of the history of D-Day and the days following 6 June 1944 borders on the encyclopaedic.
Further information about tire excursion can be found on the application form enclosed with the Dutch edition of this Newsletter.
If you would like to go on this bus trip, your quick response would be greatly appreciated.

A Douglas C-47 Skytrain (known to the British as the Dakota) in the Airborne Museum at Ste. Mere tglise. This is one of the museums that will be visited during the excursion to Normandy in May 1999.
(Photo: Berry de Reus, 1998)

‘Verscheurde Horizon’
(Torn Horizon)
At the end of 1995, Chris van Roekel thought it was time to dedicate a Ministory to the part played by British and Polish army padres during the Battle of Arnhem, there being so little known about the subject. With great determination Chris began gathering, sorting and studying all available information on the topic, and it soon became clear that he had enough information to fill a book. Now, almost three years later, this publication has appeared under the title ‘Verscheurde Horizon, de Airborne Chaplains van Arnhem’ (Tom Horizon, the Airborne Chaplains of Arnhem).
Eighteen British and Polish padres were involved in the area in September 1944; three lost their lives during the fighting. All chaplains were allotted to a specific unit, so their experiences, particularly in the first days of the Battle of Arnhem, are closely linked to the experiences of those units. The longer the fighting in and around the capital of Gelderland continued the more their efforts became concentrated on the countless wounded in the various aid posts, emergency hospitals and hospitals in Arnhem. Eventually a number of chaplains arrived at the hospital in Apeldoom, and subsequently in various prisoner-of-war camps in Germany.
The book deals systematically with tire role fulfilled by these army chaplains in all phases, and their post¬war experiences are also not overlooked. The 140 page book is illustrated with numerous photographs, many previously unpublished.
The ‘Verscheurde Horizon’ is available at the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ for 27.50 guilders (25 guilders to Friends’ Society members).

Increase in subscriptions
The Society’s annual subscriptions are to be increased from 1 January 1999 as decided during the AGM on 4 April 1997. In the Netherlands, individual membership will go up to 30 guilders and family membership to 40 guilders. Subscriptions for members in Britain will be 10 pounds sterling, except for Arnhem veterans.A payment form for our members in the Netherlands will be included with the next Newsletter, No. 72. Your prompt payment of subscriptions is kindly requested so that your 1999 membership card can be enclosed with Newsletter No. 73, due out in February 1999. This will help to save on postage costs.
(Erik van de Meiden, treasurer)

Bargain offers
September is ‘Airborne month’: first the Airborne Walk and then the Commemoration, and the society thought it appropriate to reduce the price of some of its sales items for the occasion.
Kate ter Horst’s book ‘Cloud over Arnhem’ will be offered at 12.50 guilders. The price of the poster of the painting by artist Paulus Pieters will be reduced to 2.50 guilders, the Border Regiment badge to 7.50 guilders and the colouring picture for children to 4 guilders.
The poster, colouring picture and Border Regiment badge will only be available at society’s sales stands, for example at the forthcoming Airborne Walk (Saturday 5 September). ‘Cloud over Arnhem’ can be bought at the sales stands and at the Airborne Museum.
(Erik van de Meiden, treasurer)

Battlefield Tour
Forty-eight people took part in the Battlefied Tour held on 6 June 1998 and organised by Wybo Boersma. One third of the participants were Friends’ Society members, one third came from the Documentation Group ’40-’45 with ‘others’ making up the final third.
In view of the excursion’s great success, the Airborne Museum is arranging a similar trip to be held on Saturday 12 September 1998. The programme will be the same as that for 6 June 1998 (see Newsletter No. 69).
The cost of the excursion is 45 guilders per person and applications close on 7 September. More information can be obtained from Wybo Boersma: daytime at the Airborne Museum, tel 026 3337710, evenings at home on 0318 6396633.
(W. Boersma)

Unusual acquisition
Society member M. Verhoef from Arnhem recently presented ‘our’ museum with an unusual British .303 cartridge. He found it last March alongside the Johannahoeveweg.
It seems that the cartridge had been modified and used for the concealment of radio data. This was a mandatory practice laid down in appendix C of the British signals instructions. The bullet was removed from the cartridge case and hollowed out. A message form for pigeons, containing frequencies, slidex and other information, was inserted in the hollow bullet which was then re-fitted to the cartridge case.
The discovered form contained call-sign data from 18 September onwards and probably originates from one of the 4th Parachute Brigade units. Considering the spot where it was found the cartridge could be from 156 Parachute Battalion or from Brigade Headquarters. Unfortunately the information is insufficient to identify the unit to which the call-signs belonged.
Mr Verhoef has given the bullet to the Airborne Museum on long-term loan.
(W. Boersma)

The British cartridge and message form found by Mr M. Verhoef alongside the Johannahoeveweg in March of this year.
(Photo: Roland Bockhorst, April 1998)

Exhibition 1999
Although it seems a long way off, the Airborne Museum is already busy with the organisation of a new exhibition scheduled for the spring of 1999. The chosen subject: Operation Pegasus I and II.
As was the case for tire current exhibition on British and Polish prisoners-of-war, a working group will be formed for the setting up of this exhibition. This will encompass the following activities: the writing of a schedule/plan, the gathering of photographs and other material, the making of a lay-out for the exhibition, the writing of texts, the design of a poster and the recording of (video)interviews with former participants and/or resistance members.
Those interested in becoming part of this working group can contact W. Boersma on the previously indicated telephone numbers.

Appeal for volunteers
The Airborne Museum possesses many films, video and sound recordings relating to the Battle of Arnhem. These archives include official films, video recordings of TV broadcasts, interviews with veterans on video tape and sound tape, radio broadcasts from the Second World War and so on. However, much of it is poorly arranged and documented, making access rather difficult. The Airborne Museum is therefore looking for one or more volunteers to catalogue the film and sound archives. For this the tapes will first have to be viewed and/or listened to and then a description made of the contents of each tape. This is time¬consuming work which the permanent museum staff are never able to get round to.
Anyone willing to help is asked to get in touch with W. Boersma.

Is ‘De Tafelberg’ to be demolished?
Many of our members not living in the Arnhem area will be unaware of the fact, but this frightening question reflects the actual situation.
Various articles on the subject have appeared recently in the local and regional press. It is true: ‘De Tafelberg’, an historic building from the Battle of J Arnhem, refuge for wounded civilians and servicemen in September 1944 and featured in tire 1945 film “Theirs is the Glory’, is on the ‘wanted’ list of a property developer with one aim in mind; demolition and re-development.
Naturally enough this has not escaped the notice of the Friends’ Society, and ‘De Tafelberg’ was an agenda topic at the management meetings held in April and May of this year. On the 20th May it was decided to send a letter to the board of the Airborne Museum Foundation setting out a number of possible plans for the use of ‘De Tafelberg’ and the part the museum might be able to play in these. The most important points are detailed below.
1. We find the newspaper suggestion that the building be used as a cultural/historical museum/centre very appealing.
2. In our view this provides a ‘golden opportunity’ to realise the desired and necessary extension to the museum. Larger objects such as a Bren gun carrier, a Morris truck plus 17 pounder, part of a glider, a Sturmgeschiitz and an 88 mm Flak gun could be exhibited there. An historic walk could be set out between Hartenstein and ‘De Tafelberg’.
3. Other museums and organisations, such as the Local History Society, the Veluwezoom Museum Foundation, the ‘Kneppelhouf Foundation and the Dutch Aircraft Examination Group Foundation’s Air War Museum 1940-1945, could find a home in ‘De Tafelberg’.
4. The building has a large room ideally suited to the holding of lectures and film shows.
5. We realise that this plan would cost money, but which of the proposals in the ‘Plan 21st century’ for the Airborne Museum costs nothing?
6. Let us not get bogged down in an attitude of ‘This simply isn’t possible!’. Reacting attentively and the grasping of this opportunity show a policy of awareness.
7. We urgently request the foundation to investigate this option seriously and from a positive aspect.
That, in essence, is our letter.
Alas, the Society management has to report that up to 21 August, three months after our letter was sent in fact, no reaction has been received from the Foundation, not even a confirmation of receipt or an explanation for the delay in handling the matter. And we are simply showing enthusiasm!
Meanwhile, totally separate from the above issue, the Society has asked the municipal leaders to place the premises at Pietersbergseweg 46 (‘De Tafelberg’) on the municipal monument list. The same request has been made by the Local History Society, the ’Vijf Dorpen in’t Groen’ Association and the Airborne Museum Foundation. The municipal Monument Commission has given the burgomaster and aidermen positive advice on the subject, on the understanding that it refers to the more recent northern section of the building. The council leaders have not yet come to a definite decision, but moves are being made to see that the advice is followed. (C. van Roekel)

Explanation is given at Johannahoeve during the cycle tour held on 13 June 1998.
(Photo: Joost Egberts)

In Memoriam: Ben de Vries
Mr Ben de Vries passed away in April of this year at the age of 81. Towards the end of 1957, career officer De Vries became board member of the ‘Local Museum for the Renkum Municipality, Airborne Museum department’ Foundation. He became chairman of the foundation in June 1965, a position he held until 1978 when he was succeeded by Jhr. mr. H.G. van Holthe tot Echten.
During his long period as board member he carried out a tremendous amount of work for the Airborne Museum, which at that time was housed in the former stables at Kasteel Doorwerth.
Through his extensive contacts with all manner of bodies in England, he was able to acquire much missing equipment for the museum over the years. He was also closely involved in the museum’s modernisation in 1967.
With Ben de Vries’ passing we have lost a remarkable personality who meant a lot to the Airborne Museum.

112th (Wessex) Field Regiment RA, TA, 1938-1946
Most books on the parts played by allied units in the liberation of Western Europe appeared within 10 years of tire end of the war. Then it was relatively easy to produce these publications; events were still fresh in the memory and the majority of those who had been involved in the struggle were still alive.
Now, more than a half century after the war, writing such a book is a little more difficult. It is therefore the more remarkable when the occasional regimental history is published. And such was the case when, last year, the book ‘112th (Wessex) Field Regiment RA, TA, 1938-1946’, by Douglas Goddard, Eric Rankin and James Vigers, arrived on the scene. The authors, all veterans of the 112th, reconstructed the eight-year history of this artillery regiment from official reports and eye-witness accounts. At the time the book was being compiled, 90 of the original 670 men who served with tire regiment were still alive! Much of the book deals with the period from June 1944 to May 1945 when the regiment, equipped with 25-pounder guns, took part in the advance from Normandy to North Germany. Operations in which the regiment was involved include the battle of Odon and fill 112, and operation ‘Bluecoat’ in Normandy, and after ‘Arnhem’ the Seine crossing, the defence of the area around Groesbeek, the ‘Geilenkirchen Offensive’ and operations ‘Veritable’ and ‘Plunder’. A short chapter is given over to Operation Market Garden, when, from 23 September onwards, the regiment provided fire support to the 1st Airborne Division in Oosterbeek, initially from Oosterhout and later from Lienden in the Betuwe.
The book comprises 207 pages and contains maps and photographs. The book is not for sale at the Airborne Museum but can be ordered by sending 15 pounds sterling to Douglas Goddard, Quinnells, 38 The Ridgeway, Wargrave-on-Thames, Berkshire RG10 8AS, United Kingdom. The book will then be sent to you as quickly as possible.

The Annual Air Despatch Memorial Service
This year once again a service will be held at the Air Despatch Memorial situated on the ‘Van Limburg Stirumweg’, 200 metres to the right of the main entrance of the Airborne Cemetery.
The service will commence at 16.00 hrs on Sunday 20 September 1998.
The service is held in memory of the Air Despatchers of the Royal Army Service Corps who gave their lives in valiant attempts to resupply the Airborne forces during the Battle of Arnhem (operation Market Garden 18 – 25 September 1944).
The service is to be conducted by the Rev. Don Irvine (an ex-Air Despatcher) assisted by
Lt Col C. Lawrence and Mr Frank van den Bergh, together with the ‘Aerend Heem Scouting Groep’.

No ‘Muur van Ortner’ (Wall of Ortner) at Arnhem bridge
On Tuesday 30 June 1998, the Arnhem council voted by 21 votes to 16 against the placing of the ‘Muur van Ortner’ on the northern approach to the John Frost Bridge in Arnhem. This brought to an end a long period of discussion between those for and against this work of art. Austrian artist Manfred Ortner’s creation was to consist of a tall steel structure intended to suggest a red, transparent wall.
A questionnaire showed that the majority of the Arnhem population was overwhelmingly against the placing of tire artwork at a spot which had played such a dramatic role in the Battle of Arnhem. Protests against the sculpture were also received from Britain, namely from the Arnhem 1944 Veterans’ Club and from Tony Hibbert, this year’s Leader of the Pilgrimage.

Correction 1
In the previous Ministory (No. 58, ‘Remembering General Sir John Winthrop Hackett’ by C. van Roekel) a photograph appeared with the following caption: ‘During the time in ‘The Hollow’ (a series of depressions in the Bilderberg woods), Staff Captain Jasper Booty took the opportunity of photographing Brigadier John Hackett (r) and Captain B.A.B. Taylor with his personal camera. Captain Taylor was Battery Captain of the 2nd Airlanding Battery, Light Regiment Royal Artillery, (photo: 20 September 1944)’.
A further check in the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ archives showed this caption to be incorrect. It should have read: ‘During the time in a trench close to the Hartenstein, Captain Jasper Booty, Staff Captain of the 4th Parachute Brigade HQ, took the opportunity of photographing Brigadier John Hackett (right) and Lieutenant H.G. Taylor, commander of the Defence platoon, with his personal camera. (Photo 23 September 1944)’.
See also the ‘Photographs’ section in the book ‘The Harvest of Ten Years’.
The above means that an inclusion in ‘Who was Who during the Battle of Arnhem’ (bottom of page 35) will also have to be altered.
(Geert Maassen)

Correction 2
We have received the following correction from Mr Steffen from Huizen.
T read Newsletter No. 69 with interest, particularly the story of Flight Lieutenant David Lord’s Victoria Cross. The article stated that 106 VCs were awarded during the Second World War.
Alas, this number is incorrect. The total number of VCs awarded was 182, of which 81 were posthumous awards. This covers all branches of the armed forces including those from British Commonwealth countries. Thirty Two VCs Were awarded to members of the RAF, including of course David Lord.
For the total of 182 may i refer to page of Taprell Dorling s book ‘Ribbons and Medals’.

Download nieuwsbrief

FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM

Editors:Drs. R.P.G.A. Voskuil, C. van Roekel, G.H. Maassen jr.
Newsletter No. 73, February 1999
Representative in Great Britain: Mr. E.E. Shaw, 298 Totnes Road Paignton – Devon TQ4 7HD Tel. 0803-553616

On 6 September 1998 n simple monument was unveiled al the spot in the Plankett Wambuis woods where Stirling LI- 883 from 570 Squadron was shot down on September 23rd 1944. The unveiling was carried out by Christine Watkins, sister of the pilot who died in the crash, Flying Officer W. Kirkham, mid her husband. On the right is Society member Cees van den Bosch, who instigated the placing of this memorial. See also Newsletters 71 and 72. (Photo: Luc Eitting, Lunteren)

19th General Members Meeting
The management invites you to attend the 19th General Members Meeting and AGM of the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum Oosterbeek.
The meeting will be held in the Zalencentrum Lebret, Lebretweg 51, Oosterbeek (tel. 026 3333168) on Saturday 10 April 1999 starting at 2 pm.
The agenda is as follows:
1. Opening
2. Minutes of the General Members Meeting of
4 April 1998
3. General Report 1998
4. Financial Report 1998
5. Audit Committee Report
6. Budget for 1999
7. Election of Officials
8. Appointment of a reserve member to the Audit Committee
9. Questions
10. Closure of the meeting.
Point 4: Financial reports and information are enclosed.
Point 5: The Audit Commission report will be available for perusal half an hour before the meeting begins.
Point 7: Messrs C. van Roekel and E. Wijnhoud have reached the end of their terms of office and have declared themselves available for re-election.
Mr J. Smits will also be stepping down. The board of management have proposed Mr C.C. van den Bosch from Arnhem for a seat on the board.
Article 8 of the Statutes allows for the proposal of alternative candidates. In this case a written nomination should reach the secretary (Sportweg 2, 3871 HH Hoevelaken) at least 10 days before the meeting, signed by a minimum of 10 members and accompanied by a declaration of availability from the candidate. The candidate must be a Society member and adult.

Lecture on Fallingbostel
After the AGM on 10 April, Society member Marcel Anker will give a lecture entitled ‘The German prisoner-of-war camp Stalag XI-B at Fallingbostel’. Many servicemen who fought at Arnhem were imprisoned there.
Marcel Anker originally intended to give this lecture during the theme day held on 31 October last year, but was unable to do so because of unforeseen family circumstances.

Annual report 1998
During the General Members Meeting on 4 April 1998, retiring board members Mrs J.M. de Langen and Mr W.T.B. de Ruyter were re-elected.
Twelve meetings of the board were held and a number of consultations took place with the ‘Publications’ and ‘Events’ work groups. Mr W. Boersma represented the Foundation board at our meetings and his input was very much appreciated.
Membership. We started the year with 1282 members, but sadly 13 Society members passed away during 1998. They were the ladies C.N. van Dijke and T. Klaassen-Keller, and the gentlemen G. van Brenk, M.F. Kelderman, M.A. ten Horn, Ph. Zwijnenberg, G.A. Versteegh, J.A. Jaspers, G. Gatland, R.J. Brough, R. Cook, E.C. Wedgbury and W.G. Fillingham. Eighty-three members were removed from the membership list during 1998 through resignation or non-payment of subscriptions, but thankfully a membership increase of 153 meant we closed the year with a total of 1339 members.
Newsletters. Thanks to the efforts of the editors and the valiant few who are always on hand to get things ready for posting, it was again possible to publish four Newsletters complete with Ministories.
Work groups. Last year the ‘Events’ work group was extremely busy with the organisation of the excursion and the theme day (see below). The ‘Publications’ work group advised on the production of the book ‘Verscheurde Horizon’ (Torn Horizon).
There is still much interest, both here and abroad, in the Schools Project, which provides young folk with information on the Battle of Arnhem. More than 3,000 schoolchildren visited the Airborne Museum within the framework of the Schools Project. The Airborne Commemorations Foundation also cooperated in this educational scheme.
Excursion/Theme Afternoon. The cycle trip held on 13 June with the ‘4th Parachute Brigade’ as its theme was a great success, thanks mainly to the efforts of the ‘Events’ work group. The Theme afternoon held in the Zalencentrum Lebret on 31 October, during which Mr W. Boersma gave a talk on the Allied prisoners-of-war after the Battle of Arnhem, was very well attended.
Unfortunately Mr M. Anker had to postpone his lecture on the German prisoner-of-war camp at Fallingbostel for personal reasons. In its stead Mr Boersma explained one or two things about the Airborne Museum.
The special Battlefield Tour held on 6 June was such a success that there was a repeat performance on 12 September. The tours were organised by Mr Boersma from the Airborne Museum Foundation.
During the year the Airborne Museum received as gifts a WS no.18 Radio Set, a uniform and pieces of equipment, and a contribution towards the cost of an investigation into a future vision for the Airborne Museum.
The books ‘Krijt onder de schoenen’ (Chalk under the shoes) by Society member Mr W. van Houten and ‘Verscheurde Horizon’ (Torn Horizon) by Mr C. van Roekel were our new items for sale. ..
Sales stands were present at the General Members Meeting, the theme afternoon, the Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days, the Airborne Walk Resistance Day and the Pegasus Walk. Proceeds for the Society amounted to 3,709 guilders and 50 cents.
All in all, 1998 was a good year. (M. de Langen, secretary)

Normandy ’travellers’, watch out!
Preparations for the trip to Normandy are proceeding apace. Agreements on accommodation bookings have been reached and the programme has been established. At the moment a comprehensive excursion guide is being compiled.
We propose holding a preparatory talk with all participants, which will take place at the Airborne Museum on Friday 7 May at 8 pm. During the talk the programme will be run through and the excursion guides will be handed out. The subject will be introduced with the aid of some video films about D-Day. We hope to see the participants at the above time, date and location.
The outstanding payments for the excursion need to be made before 1 March 1999 so that we can pay the necessary deposits.
(C. van Roekel, on behalf of the Normandy excursion committee)

Unique boat journey on 16 May 1999
Using the application form included with this Newsletter, you can register for a unique boat trip that will take you from Arnhem to beyond Nijmegen and back via the river Rhine, the Pannerden Canal and the river Waal. This exceptional day trip, which does not appear in the normal boat tour operators’ programme, is being offered as part of the celebrations surrounding the approach of our Friends’ Society’s 20th anniversary and the fact that our museum celebrates its 50th birthday this year. As well as passing many places that played a major role in Operation Market Garden, the tour will take you through one of the most beautiful parts of our country and will acquaint you with the international waterways that are so important to our economy. Everyone – non-members included – is welcome! This means you can also reserve places for partner, children and acquaintances on the enclosed application form. But don’t wait too long, and don’t allow this unique opportunity to pass you by!
(C. van Roekel)

50 years Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’
The Airborne Museum was set up in 1.949 It was then part of the Renkum Local History Trust and was initially housed in a wooden barracks in the inner courtyard of the largely destroyed Doorwerth Castle. Some time later the exhibits were moved to the castle’s former stables. A quick calculation tells us that, in 1999, the Airborne Museum will have been in existence for 50 years, and so numerous activities related to this anniversary will be held throughout the year. An overview of events is given below.
10 and 11 April: National Museum Weekend. Guides will lead the ‘Perimeter walk’. Starting times 12.00, 14.00 and 15.00 hours. Distance 5 km.
The guides will provide explanations on the way. Free route map for all participants. A discount will be given on the museum entry charge during that weekend. Any member prepared to act as a guide can make this known at the museum. The battlefield tours will be under the overall direction of Mr A. Groeneweg.
16 April -1 November: ‘Ontsnapt van de Veluwe’ (Escape from the Veluwe).
Exhibition about the escape to safety from the Veluwe by 138 servicemen from the 1st Airborne Division and other allied units, plus a few Dutch civilians, on 22/23 October 1944.
8 May: National Cycling Day. Cyclists following the Tourist Board Cycle Route can visit the Airborne Museum at group rates.
21 May – 20 June: “Invasion ’44 – ’99”. Members of the ’40 – ’45 Documentation Group will be exhibiting material from their collection relating to the Normandy invasion on 6 June 1944.
15 May: The now traditional book fair in the Airborne Museum selling second-hand books and documents concerning the 2nd World War. Those taking part will include the SFAM
(Mr O. Luursema) and members of the ’40 – ’45 Documentation Group.
19 June: Battlefield Tour. Led by guides, a visit will first be made to the Airborne Museum followed by a bus trip and walk over the former battlefields. Starting time, 10 am at the museum. The Battlefield Tour will last until approximately 4.30 pm. Cost, 52.5 guilders including lunch and information folder. There are 47 places available.
(W. Boersma)

Part of Pack Howitzer found
A unique find occurred during a military- archeological investigation near a footpath alongside the Valkenburglaan in Oosterbeek on Saturday 10 October 1998.
While digging, the investigators came across a supply container with crash pad and small board with lights and battery still attached. Other WW II items found near the container included a German 5 cm shell case, bullets, a German pocket torch and a Sten gun magazine. Once the container was removed there appeared to be another sizeable piece of metalwork in the excavations. It turned out to be a piece of cast steel with two handgrips, weighing about 50 kilograms. The experts on hand quickly identified it as the top sleigh of a 75 mm Pack Howitzer.Never before has such a large, complete section of a 75 mm gun been found in Oosterbeek. The guns are best known for the positions they occupied in the meadows and farmland around and about the Old Church in Lower Oosterbeek during the greater part of the Battle of Arnhem.
(Dick Timmerman)
Editors’ note: These guns were used by the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, during the Battle of Arnhem. The two Troops of No. 1 Battery that landed on 17 September 1944 were moved on 18 September from their positions south-east of landing zone ‘Z’ to new positions on the eastern and south-eastern edge of the farmland between the Bilderberg Hotel and Valkenburglaan. Sergeant Dennis Smith of the Army Film and Photographic Unit took two photographs of a gun from one of these units in action in that area.
During the afternoon of 19 September, No. 1 Battery was ordered to leave the Bilderberg and take up new positions in Lower Oosterbeek: A Troop to the north of the Concert Hall and B Troop to the south of the Van Hofwegen laundry near Ploegseweg. There they remained until the end of the battle.

Top sleigh from a 75 mm Pack Howitzer. It was found on 10 October 1998 near a footpath bordering a field between the Bilderberg Hotel and Valkenburglaan in Oosterbeek. (Photo: Dick Timmerman, Arnhem)

Items from Huize De Tafelberg brought to safety
On 1 January 1999, Huize De Tafelberg in Oosterbeek came under new ownership. For fifty years it was owned by the fathers of the Society for African Missions, but they have now sold it. The last inhabitants left for Cadier and Keer in the province of Limburg on 21 December 1998.
Those of you who have ever visited the building will know that photographs and a plaque that hung in the hall recalled the days in September 1944 when the building served as an emergency hospital, and the summer of 1945 when it was used during the shooting of the film ‘Theirs is the Glory’.
Shortly before the last inhabitants left, these unusual souvenirs were removed from De Tafelberg in order to avoid their being stolen, and they are now safely stored in the Airborne Museum.
According to the latest reports there are plans to build 21 luxury apartments on De Tafelberg site. Efforts will be made to ensure retention of the present building’s characteristic front elevation plus the hall and staircase.
When the new apartment complex is completed it is hoped that a place will be found in the building for the plaque and the photographs.

Request for assistance
Brigadier Frank Steers has sent us an appeal from England, the gist of which is as follows:
At the moment an investigation is under way into the Logistic Support of the 1st Airborne Division. Brigadier Steers would like to get in contact with former members of the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), including from Air Despatch, the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) and the Army Catering Corps. All information on the above units, however modest, could be of value to this research. He is especially interested in former cooks and others who were involved in the provision of food. Information about these servicemen is difficult to come by because they were attached to the various divisional units.
Anyone who can provide names or has other relevant information can get in touch with Brigadier Frank Steers MBE at 9 Goldfinch Close, Paddock Wood, Kent TNI2 6XW, England. His telephone number is 01264-363582 (from England) and his E-mail address is 101706.n62@Compuserve.com.

‘Gevangen op de Veluwe’ (Trapped on the Veluwe)
The book ‘Gevangen op de Veluwe’ was published in October of last year. It was written by Mr Wolter Noordman from Heerde and is about operation Pegasus 2. This operation took place on 18 November 1944 with the intention of getting a group of nearly 100 allied airmen and airborne soldiers back across the Rhine to their own lines. Most of the airmen had made emergency landings in the Netherlands and the airborne soldiers had been left behind on the Veluwe following the failed Battle of Arnhem. Earlier, on 22 October 1944, a 138 strong group of servicemen escaped across the Rhine at Renkum: this was operation Pegasus 1. For all sorts of reasons Pegasus 2 was a failure. Only seven men succeeded in crossing the Rhine and of the others, seven were killed. About thirty men ended up in German prisoner-of-war camps, some wounded. Those remaining took the opportunity of re-contacting the Resistance.
Mr Noordman spent eight years investigating the background of this operation. He researched 51 escape stories, but since the inclusion of all of them would have resulted in a complicated and unreadable book, he has selected the experiences of eight servicemen who tried to find their way about the Veluwe, including those of pilots and airborne soldiers. The stories are written in such a way that the servicemen’s own words are used. The various experiences overlap one another to a degree and give an excellent picture of the Resistance’s work in Central Holland. A number of well-known names appear in the book, for instance Brigadier Hackett, Captain Noble (RAMC), Tex Banwell and Lieutenant Du Bois (SAS).
A number of men were nevertheless brought back over the Rhine via the Biesbosch and elsewhere following the failure of operation Pegasus 2. ‘Gevangen op de Veluwe’ shows in particular the efforts made by the Veluwe inhabitants in the hiding and re-location of these allied servicemen. Without the help of the Resistance many more of them would undoubtedly have finished up in German POW camps.
The book is lavishly provided with footnotes and contains a comprehensive bibliography, sad to say something that is often lacking in other publications. A book to read beside the open fire in the winter! ‘Gevangen op de Veluwe’ by Wolter Noordman is published by Voorhoeve in Kampen. It comprises 192 pages, is illustrated and costs 29.50 guilders. It is available in bookshops and at the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek.
(W. Boersma)

Message from the Treasurer
Most members have now paid their subscriptions for 1999 and will find their membership card enclosed with this Newsletter. Those who have not yet paid are kindly, though urgently, requested to do so as soon as possible, otherwise it will be assumed that one is no longer interested in membership of the Society and will result in automatic removal from the membership list.
The subscription fees applicable per 1/1/1999 are given below.
For members in the Netherlands, Individual Membership is 30 guilders, Family Membership is 40 guilders and Life Membership 400 guilders. Payment can be made in the Netherlands into Postbank account number 4403641 under the heading, Vereniging Vrienden Airborne Museum, St. Bernulphusstraat 8, 6861 GS Oosterbeek.
For members in the UK, Individual Membership costs 10 pounds sterling, Family Membership 13 pounds sterling and Life Membership 125 pounds sterling. Payments in England can be made (in pounds sterling) to the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum, Lloyds Bank, Paignton, Devon TQ3 3ER, account number 7136514.
Members elsewhere in Europe pay 35 guilders for Individual Membership and members outside Europe, 50 guilders. They can make their payments in Dutch guilders into account number 53 66 21 128 of the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum’ ABN-AMRO BANK, PO Box 46, 6860 AA Oosterbeek, The Netherlands.
(E. van de Meiden, Treasurer)

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