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NEWSLETTER No.16 October 1984
Editor: Drs.R.P. G. A.Voskuil

Dear Friends,
During these last few months the fortieth anniversary of the liberation from more than four years of occupation has been commemorated in many places in France, Belgium and The Netherlands. The commemoration of the dramatic Battle of Arnhem has always been somewhat different from other commemorations elsewhere in Western Europe. Other places in Europe saw fierce battles in savage conditions and many young men were killed. There too contact existed between soldiers and civilians who were suddenly caught up in the front line and who often were liberated after a period of hard fighting. The Allied soldiers could look back on a completed mission and were immediately on their way to fulfill the next one. They moved on and their departure caused the contact to be short-lived and not very intense. The men of the British Airborne Division and of the Polish Parachute Brigade, however, were unexpectedly squeezed into a very constricted area when the Germans surrounded their positions. Instead of the joy of a permanent liberation, bitter fighting followed, ending so disappointingly. During that period soldiers and civilians shared the same deprivations, misery and suffering. Together they suffered the sorrows and the sadness. They witnessed each other’s devotion and spirit of sacrifice. They experienced the mutual help and care, both during the battle and the escapes later on. They got to know each other in distress and strong bonds were formed. This solidarity was the foundation of the annual com¬memoration and it still is.
The veterans, their relatives and next-of-kin who come to Arnhem are not received as tourists but as good friends. People look forward to their arrival and they are received with open arms. Most of them do not have to stay at a hotel, but enjoy the hospitality of the local families. The rest of the world may wear a mask of interest, it is in this very circle of friends where they may speak freely, where they are shown real interest and where they get full attention.
The fortieth anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem once again passed in an atmosphere of warm interest, solidarity and friendship. May these bonds of friendship last for many years to come.
J.Smits, president.

Meeting with lectures and films on Saturday, 24 November.
A meeting is scheduled in the Concert Hall on Saturday, 24 November. The programme is as follows;
14.00 hrs.: Lecture by Mr.J.Smits, jr. entitled: “By glider to Arnhem, no easy job”. Mr.Smits will explain with the aid of slides the course of take-off, the flight and the landing of the British gliders near Arnhem.
14.30 hrs.: Lecture by Mr.R.P.G. A. Voskuil on “The British war correspondents during the Battle of Arnhem”. A complete Public Relations Team was attached to the First British Airborne Division. The war correspondents were to record the battle or t e bridge in reports and on photographs, films and sound recordings. The lecture, illustrated with slides, will discuss the organisation and the efforts of these war correspondents.
15.15 hrs.: Intermission.
15.45 hrs.: Complete sound recordings made by Stanley Maxted during the fighting in Oosterbeek.
16.00 hrs.: Film on the Battle of Arnhem or, if it will arrive in time, a video tape recording of the British television broadcast on the occasion of the 40th commemoration.
16.30 hrs.: End.
The Concert Hall at Oosterbeek is situated in the lower part of the village, close to the Old Church and can be reached with Bus no.6 from Arnhem Station. Telephone number is 85332046.

Memorial Envelope Sold Out.
The Memorial Envelope issued by the Society of Friends was sold out within a month. Please do not send any more orders.
The Memorial Envelope issued by the Airborne Museum can still be obtained by trans¬ferring Dfl 7,50 into the giro account 4184300 of the Stichting Airborne Museum, Utrechtseweg 232, Oosterbeek, The Netherlands.

Society presents exhibition case.
On September 18 an exhibition case was officially presented to the Airborne Museum by the Society of Friends. The case contains objects and documents from the Museum’s collections relating to the 1st Airlanding Brigade that in September 1944 consisted of 1 Border’Bn, 7 Bn KOSB and 2 Bn South Staffords ( See Newsletter N0.I3 ).
Apart from personal belongings and photographs of veterans of the Brigade the original war diary of the period by the late Lt.Col.Payton Reid, C.O. 7 KOSB, is on display.
Even during the pilgimage new items could be added: Mr. Bourne from Birmingham, who served with 2 Bn South Staffords, presented the shoulder flashes worn during the Battle.

School Project to be continued.
It has been decided that the succesful “School project”, organised by Mr. C,van Roekel last winter, will be continued during the winter period. About 35OO pupils from schools in the municipalities of Arnhem, Ede, Heteren and Wageningen will be expected to visit the Museum. Our Society takes care of the organisation and con¬tributes fifty percent of the admission fee. The printing firm of Linders Adremo of Oosterbeek will provide free of charge the large sheet of 40 photographs of Market Garden that is issued to every pupil.

Thousands of visitors during September.
In the period of 15 – 28 September no less than 10.000 paying visitors passed the ticket office, bringing the total to date to 79000, which surpasses the number for the entire year 1983 by 9000. It could well be that 100.000 visitors will be counted in 1984,

Half a million visitors.
Six years and six months after re-opening at the Hartenstein, the Airborne Museum received its 500.000th paying visitor. Mr. and Mrs.Flikweert of Arnhem were pleasantly surprised when they found themselves the guests of honour on Saturday 6 October at three o’clock. On behalf of the Board of Trustees Mr W J M Du t presented them with flowers, a drawing of The Hartenstein, the book’of photographs”September 1944, Operation Market Garden” and an admission ticket enabling them to visit the Museum free of charge for the rest of their lives.

The official presentation of the new exhibition case. ( photo: B.de Reus )

Poster still available.
Forty years after the battle the artist Johan Paulus Pieters of Arnhem has expressed his imprssions and emotions in a large pastel-drawing. The composition shows the pre-war tower of the Eusebius Church, the bridge which was the target of the operation, the helmet of a dead soldier in the midst of a patch of heather and Pegasus in the clouds.
The artist has lent the original to our Society and the drawing is now on view at the Museum. A reproduction has been made and a small number is still available at the Museum. The price is Dfl 10,-. Orders by post for more than three copies only, at an extra cost of Dfl 7>50 and Dfl 8,25 conversion charges.

Souvenir stall during Airborne Walking Tour.
During the Airborne Walking Tour on 1 September our Society had a souvenir stall at Utrechtseweg, Oosterbeek. As in previous years the secretary, Mrs.M.de Langen was in charge of the organisation and souvenir articles from the Museum and of our Society were on sale, totalling Dfl 33^5i75 (!)•

Information required on 17-pounder guns.
Three 17-pounder guns from the battle are on display around the Airborne Museum. An appeal for information on these guns was already made in the last issue and although several veterans have reacted additional information is kindly requested.

New book on Market-Garden.
A few years ago under the pseudonym of Tom Angus, Colonel G.S.Powell wrote a brilliant account of his Arnhem experience as a company commander under Shan Hackett, called “Men at Arnhem”.
He has now written an excellent book on “Market-Garden” entitled “The Devil’s Birthday, The Bridges to Arnhem, 19W’, published by Buchan & Enright at £ 9-95- In a two-page review in The Spectator Max Hastings has called it the’ best analysis of the battle to be published thus far. To quote from the review:
On the plan: “Those who regard Arnhem as a wholly uncharacteristic spasm of bold- nes by Field-Marshal Montgomery forget the context in which he approved it: he knew that he had lost the first round of his battle with Eisenhower for resources to sup¬port the ‘single thrust’ by 21st Army Group towards the heart of Germany. The Arnhem operation, if it succeeded, would offer him the best, perhaps the only chance of for¬cing the Supreme Commander’s hand and regaining effective strategic control of the campaign.
Planning for the drop was hasty – seven days against almost as many months for the D-Day operations. It was hampered by the lack of understanding between soldiers and airmen which dogged the whole campaign. The air forces refused to accept the notion of a ‘coup de main’ by men dropped directly onto the objectives, as urged by Urquhart, First Airborne Division’s commander, among others. The decision to go for open Drop¬ping Zones at a distance from the objectives was the single most disastrous error in the plan, which an abler man than Brereton would never have allowed to stand”.
On Browning: ” ‘Boy’ Browning was one of those outstanding British military gentle¬men, quite numerous in high command throughout the 20th century, who inspire such personal affection and respect that it seems churlish to cast aspersions upon their intellects. Forty years later, to those upon whom Browning never wove a personal spell, he seems to embody most of the virtues and vices of Quards officers of his period. He does not carry conviction as a planner, or as a commander with the ruth¬less ability to ‘grip’ a battle. Indeed, once Market Garden was launched, Powell notes how little influence Browning exerted upon its progress.”
On the German Panzer divisions: “The author cuts sharply through the 40-year-old legend of the two unsuspected Panzer divisions at Arnhem, and the young intelligence officer whom Browning sent on sick leave after he made an unwelcome fuss about iden¬tifying tanks near the Dropping Zone. Through Ultra, 21st Army Group knew about the Panzers, However, far from being in divisional strength, they amounted to only weak brigade groups with barely 40 tanks between them. In the mood of the moment at 21st Army Group, even to those in the know they did not seem a critical menace. Montgomery and his staff should have known better, after seeing the huge difficulties that even the shattered remains of the SS Panzer formations had caused to unbroken British corps in Normandy”.
On the German reaction: “A great mistake was made in briefing the unblooded British parachute units of First Airborne Division. They were conditioned to regard their enemy lightly. Every Allied formation that had fought in Normandy knew how very, very good the Germans were, above all in defence and in quick reaction with make¬shift forces. ”
On the ground-air liaison: “Powell’s narrative provides further evidence of the extraordinarily poor ground-air liaison that still prevailed in 21st Army Group as late as the autumn of 19^4. Even when the weather enabled them to do so Allied fighter-bombers could not provide effective support for First Airborne Division for lack of Forward Air Control.. They did not even achieve effective interdiction on the approaches to the battlefield.” “Powell writes in the closing pages of his book that he has no regrets for Arnhem and knows no veteran of First Airborne who possesses them either. These are the * only sane sentiments for men who saw so many others whom they knew, or loved or commanded, die in the battle. Those of us who look back without memory, through the interval of a generation, can afford the indulgence of reflecting how much better if Arnhem had never been.”

The next Newsletter.
The next Newsletter will be published in February 1985.
Bijlage bij Nieuwsbrief No.16.
Appendix to Newsletter No.16.
40ste HERDENKING VAN DE SLAG ON ARNHEM
40th COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF ARNHEM
1944 – 1984

Donderdag 20 September. Generaal Urquhart houdt een toespraak in de Eusebius Kerk tijdens de Welkomstbijeenkomst voor de Arnhemveteranen.
Thursday September 20th. Address by General Urquhart in the
Eusebius Church during the Welcoming Ceremony in honour of the Arnhem Veterans.

Vrijdag 21 September, Kolonel Graeme Warrack onthult een gedenksteen in de Koning Willem III kazerne in Apeldoom, die na de Slag om Arnhem fungeerde als “Airborne Military Hospital”.
Friday September 21st. Colonel Graeme Warrack unveil a memorial stone in the Koning Willem III Barracks in Apeldoom, which served as the Airborne Military Hospital after the Battle of Arnhem.

Zaterdag 22 September. Kranslegging bij het Airborne Monument bij de brug in Arnhem.
Saturday September 22nd. Wreath laying at the Airborne Monument near the bridge at Arnhem.

Zaterdag 22 September. Kardinaal Simonis tijdens de mis bi i ho+ p Airborne Monument in Driel. J oolse
Saturday September 22nd. Cardinal Simonis during the Holv of the Polish Airborne Monument in Driel. n J:ront

Zaterdag 22 September. Overhandiging van het “Commemorative Sword” door generaal Urquhart in het Huis d’er Provincie in Arnhem.
Saturday September 22nd. Presentation of the Commemorative Sword by General Urquhart in the House of Province in Arnhem.

Zondag 23 September. De Herdenkingsdienst op het Airborne Kerkhof in Oosterbeek. Op de voorste rij: generaal Hackett, Prins Charles, Koningin Beatrix, generaal Urquhart en Prins Claus.
Sunday September 23rd. The Memorial Service at the Airborne Cemetery in Oosterbeek. In the foreground: General Hackett, the Prince of Wales, Queen Beatrix, General Urquhart and Prince Claus.

Generaal Hackett en generaal Urquhart bekijken tijdens een bezoek aan het Airborne Museum een van de diorama’s in de kelder.
General Hackett and General Urquhart look at one of the dioramas in the cellar of the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek.

Dame Vera Lynn in gesprek met de burgemeester van Renkum en zijn vrouw.
Dame Vera Lynn talking to the burgomaster of Renkum and his wife.
Foto’s/Photographs: B.de Reus ( no.1,7,8 ), R.P.G.A.Voskuil ( no.2,3,5,6 ) Fotobureau v.Bremen, Lent ( no.4 ).

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NEWS-LETTER No.18 April 1985

Editor: Drs.R.P.G.A.Voskuil
Dutch-English translation: Mrs Wilkinson
The newsletter is printed four times a year.

Special subject day 1th May.
A special subject day is to be organised for our members on Saturday May 1th. The programme is as seen below.
10.30 am. We will meet at the Hotel Dreyeroord in Oosterbeek, starting with a cup of coffee, whilst a short introduction about the day’s programme and the route for the walk is given.
11.15 am. A showing of the Video film ‘Back To Arnhem’, about the experiences of the Reconnaissance Squadron during the battle of Arnhem. Followed by a walk through the North West Section of Oosterbeek. This part of the village, between 19th and 25th September, formed the northern section of the Horse shoe shaped territory that the British defended. During the walk special attention will be given to the sites where the Reconnaissance Squadron and the 7th Battalion The Kings Own Scottish Borderers fought.
11.00 pm. Lunch in the Hotel Dreyeroord.
11.15 pm. Short walk through the vicinity of the Hotel Dreyeroord. This Hotel was defended by units of 7 K.O.S.B. under the command of Lt. Col. Peyton Reid. At that time the Hotel was known as the ‘White House’.
16.00 pm. End of the Special Subject Day.
Our Guides for the day are three of our members; Mr. H. Duinhoven from Oosterbeek, Mr. N.J. van der Meer from Kruiningen and Mr. R. Sigmond from Bennekom. The day is organised for us by Mr. Van Roekel and Mr. Voskuil.
The cost for the day is 15’ guilders per person and includes the cost of morning coffee, lunch and the guidebook (The amount can be paid by giro number 1103611 for the account of the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum under the title ‘Subject Day’. Closing date for entry is 27th April.) To avoid the groups being too large, the number of people will be limited to about 100. Should there be more interested, the day will be repeated at a later date, and any late entries notified. Participants will be entered in order of acceptance, so don’t leave it too late before replying.
The day will procede even if it is raining.
Hotel Dreyeroord (tel. 085-333169) is situated on Graaf van Rechterenweg, about a 100 metres from Oosterbeek-Hoog Station. From Arnhem it can be reached by the No.l Trolleybus.

Appeal for information on fieldgraves.
The Mini-Story, enclosed with this Newsletter, is written by 52yr.old Mr.J.A. Hey. Mr. Hey is a textile technician from Hengelo. He tells us about an extensive record of information about Allied soldiers killed in action during the war in the Nether¬lands. For the greater part his information is derived from official war sources.
Thousands of Allied soldiers were killed and buried in Dutch soil. There are about 1100 soldiers lying in un-named graves. On the gravestones of these unknow soldiers are the words; ‘Known Unto God’.
Over the years, Mr. Hey has ascertained the correct graves of more than 30 unknown soldiers. This had been achieved by long and unstinted searching combined with assistance from citizens and other amateur researchers. The War Grave Commission in the Hague often calls on him for assistance. Over the years his records have earned a respected reputation.
Mr. Hey has a plan for a Roll Of Honour which will contain the names of all the British and Polish soldiers who were killed during the Battle of Arnhem.
Along with the names it will also record precisely where and when each soldier: was killed and where his fieldgrave was.
To acheive this he is appealing to the residents of Arnhem for any information that can be of assistance. If you think that you can be of any assistance please contact Mr. J.A. Hey, Aart van der Leeuwstraat 12, 7552 HS Hengelo, Holland, Tel. 074-422271 or Mr. G.H. Maassen, Archivist for the Renkum municipality.

Extract from the Mayor of Renkum’s New Year Speech.
In his New Year’s speech the Mayor of Renkum jhr. Mr. van Holthe tot Echten, recalled that through a tremendous effort by both the citizens and the Municipality of Renkum, the 40th Anniversary Commemoration celebrations had been an unforget¬table tribute to the British and Polish Veterans. He added “that it was the very least that we could do, a tribute established by our everlasting gratitude towards the British and Polish soldiers who strived in an heroic attempt to hasten our liberation. The battle may have been a military defeat, but it was a human triumph. Let us now, especially when many veterans will not return again to remember their mates, keep the flame burning and the memories alive. That is easily said, but it is a task for our Airborne Municipality, and we must remain the Airborne Munici¬pality at whatever sacrifice, even financial sacrifice, that is necessary”.

Airborne Museum attracts a record number of visitors.
During 1984, the year of the 4oth Anniversary of the Commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem, the Airborne Museum has attracted a record number of paying visitors – 98038. In 1983 it was 69954. Considering that the Friends of the Airborne Museum have free entry, and that this also applied to the Veterans, with a little simple arithmetic you will find that the official number of visitors was over 100,000.

New display case for Medal Sets.
In the large ground floor room of the Airborne Museum, a large display case for Medal Sets has recently been hung.
During the past years several Veterans of the Battle of Arnhem have, either donated, or lent their medals to the Museum. On the iniative of the secretary, Mr. W.J.M. Duyts, a showcase has been especially made. In the showcase, with every Set of Medals, there is a photo of the Veteran to whom the medal was awarded.
Meanwhile a number of Veteran Soldiers have promised, in the near future, to lend, or donate their own medals to the Museum.

 

Our Organisational Adviser was twice photographed.
1st: On the 17th September 19^lt. During the march of an Artillery Unit along the Utrechtseweg, near Kievitsdel, 15 month old Okko Luursema was photographed, on a 6-pounder anti-tank gun in the company of some British soldiers, by his mother. 2nd: years later Mr. Luursema returned to the same spot.

Appointment of Organisational Adviser.
Due to the increasing amount of work, it has been necessary to call on our members for assistance, with the result that Mr. Luursema, from Arnhem, is willing to become our Organisational Adviser. His main task will be to assist with the organisation of our Subject Days and Outings. (See above photo.)

Supplement to announcement in the last Newsletter.
In our last Newsletter there was an announcement about the addressing of corres¬pondence to the Society. The following address must be added: Correspondence concerning financial matters, please address to:-
The Treasurer, Mr. R. Fennema, Benedendorpsweg 150, 6862 WP, Oosterbeek,The Netherlands .

Issue of Commemorative envelope.
In May of this year, our Society are issuing a special Commemorative envelope. This envelope will be supplied with a commemorative stamp and a special stamp from the Airborne Museum. The envelope will cost 5 guilders. Available by post it costs 6 guilders. Please transfer the amount to Giro account of the Society of the Friends of the Airborne Museum, under the heading “Commemorative Envelope”. Distribution of those ordered by post wi about the 15th May.

Many volunteers for painting.
During the recent A.G.M., on behalf of the Curator of.the Museum, Mr. De Reus, our Chairman asked for volunteers to help with the painting of the tank ou si e the Museum. Nine members quickly responded, and it is hoped to complete the. as by the end of May. Mr. E.J. Koopman, from Oirschot, has provided all the paint and brushes free. An offer that is greatly appreciated.

Unusual flag donated.
During the advance into Arnhem on 17th September 1944, Mr. M.R.F. Chandler, a soldier with the Royal Engineers, found a Quisling flag. He took the flag with him, and has kept it as a souvenir of Arnhem for nearly 40 years. In August 1984 Mr. Chandler donated the flag to the Museum.

New Photobook about Arnhem in 1945
On April 15th, a new book with photographs of Arnhem shortly after its liberation in May 1945, was published. All the photos were taken by a Mr. N. Kramer, a contemporary photographer from Arnhem. Mr. Kramer had a special permit obtained from the English, to enable him to enter the empty and derelict capital city of Gelderland. He scoured the whole city and took about 800 photos. Later on, these photos could be ordered by other interested people. The collection was forgotten, until it was found by Mr. Kramer’s grandson 3 years ago in his parents’ cellar. He took some of the prints and hung them in his own photographers-shop in Looier- straat, Arnhem. There were many reactions from the public and Mr. Verhoeff decided to produce a book. Out of about 800 photos he chose 235- Short captions have been written by Mr. P. Vroemen from Kamerik, who was in Arnhem during the war.
In the back of the book is a street-register. The Foreword and a summary of the captions are written in English.
The book is called “Arnhem Voorjaar 1945, wandelen door een verlaten stad”. (Walking through an abandonned City) Photos by N. Kramer, compiled by W. Verhoeff and P. Vroemen. It comprises of 165 pages and costs 39-50 guilders. It is available froni bookshops and the Photographers-shop in de Looierstraat in Arnhem.

Booklet: ‘It was like this/Zo was het’. 14th Edition.
Once again a new edition of the book ‘It was like this/Zo was het’ has been published. Written by Lt. Col. C.B. Mackenzie, D.S.O., O.B.E.
The last edition was published in 1981. This 14th edition is enlarged with photos of the 4oth Commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem.
‘It was like this/Zo was het’ is available in. the Museum and costs 10 guilders.

Book “Luchtbrug Market-Garden”.
In this book, published in September 1984, a survey of the air-operations that were carried out during the Airborne landings in Holland in September 1944, is given. At the same time attention is drawn to ’the betrayal’ of Arnhem.
“Luchtbrug Market-Garden” by Bart van der Klauw and Bart Rijnhout is published by Telebook BV in Amsterdam and costs 24.90 guilders.(only Dutch edition available).

Special Association day for our members next September.
Early in S eptember a Special day is to be organised at which members can meet each other and learn of their research concerning Operation Market Garden Further information will be given in our next Newsletter. No. 19

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NEWS-LETTER No. 20 October 1985
Editor : Drs. R.P.G.A. Voskuil
Translation : Mrs A. Meeuwsen

The news-letter is printed four times a year.

“MEN OF COURAGE STILL NEED OUR CARE”
After a military action human losses are counted in numbers: the dead, the wounded and the missing. At the yearly commemoration services our attention is expressly called to the dead and the missing.
Fortunately, many wounded recover after a relatively short time. They can take up again their work as civilians or soldiers, albeit sometimes changed both mentally and physically. However, there are also wounded people who are confronted with a very harsh reality: their injuries are such that there is no remedy. After their wounds have healed they cannot continue their former life. Their expectations for the future have been crushed, their prospects look dark.

Arnhem veterans during the Silent March to the Arnhem Bridge Monument on September 21st, 1985 (Photo: C. van Roekel)

One must try and accept being an invalid, one has to rebuild the relationship with one’s wife, fiancee, children, family and friends. One must try to overcome the difficulties of revalidation and of the struggle for a new and independent existence.
The battle that must be fought is heavier and lasts longer dan the battle of Arnhem, it needs one’s complete dedication, and cannot be won without the help of others. Just as the soldier on the front relies on the assistance of many others, the disabled soldier also needs help.
In Great Britain there are organizations like the “St. Dunstans for Men and Women Blinded on War Service” and “British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (BLESMA). These organizations posses the knowledge and experience necessary for being able to give practical help and encouragement on the painful road to revalidation, to work and to independence. By means of close personal contacts the members try to care for each other and to prevent that someone gets into trouble, is lonely or neglected.
This work is primarily done by members who have lived through these problems themselves. They are all volunteers and are dependent on donations for the money they need to do their work well.
Every year we bring flowers and wreaths to the monuments, and the graves of the dead. For the crippled survivors we reserve the best seats in the front row. Do we really think that this is all we have to do?
J. Smits, Chairman.

BLESMA needs your help, too 1
In Great Britain, since 1932 BLESMA has given aid to people who lost their limbs or became blind as a result of participating in both world¬wars and many other military conflicts. Amongst other things, BLESMA administers some special homes for warinvalids, assists in the development of artificial limbs, provides revalidation, helps to find work and fights for reasonable pensions. BLESMA is an independent organization which depends on donations for money.
If you want to help these soldiers who were so grievously wounded while doing their duty, you can send your donations to your Society’s English Representative, Mr. A. Maynard. If you mention “BLESMA”, he will see to it that it reaches the organization.
Special subject afternoon with lecture and films on Saterday, November 23rd 1985
On Saterday, November 23rd, the Society will organize another Special Subject afternoon. This time we will be guests at the ELEKTRUM in Arnhem. The programme is as follows:
13.30 hrs : reception of the participants. If you want to, you can visit the exhibition about the part electricity plays in our daily life.
14.15 hrs : lecture by Mr van Roekel : The role of the Hohenstaufen Division
in the Battle of Arnhem.
15.15 hrs : interval of about 30 minutes.
15.45 hrs : “Impressions of the commemoration-service held at Oosterbeek Airborne Cemetery on September 22nd, 1985”, a video-film by Mr B. de Reus.
16.00 – 16.30 hrs : “Comrades at Arms” : a television documentary made by Yorkshire television in 1984 concerning the experiences of General Sir John Hackett and Dr Lipman Kessel during the Battle of Arnhem.

Mr R. Beasley hands over to Major Duyts the set of medals belonging to Staff Sergeant John Douglas Brooke, who sadly died in 1984. (Photo : B. de Reus)

The ELEKTRUM is situated on the KIingelbeekseweg between Arnhem and Oosterbeek, a few hundred metres from Onderlangs/Bovenover. The new telephone-number is: 085-568020.

New edition of the pastel-drawing poster.
The poster made by Arnhem artist Johan Paulus Pieters, which was brought out by the Society in 1984, has appeared in a new edition, this time in the A-4 size. It costs hfl. 3,–.

The medal show-case in the Airborne Museum.
In our Newsletter no. 18 of April 1985, we told about the purchase of a special medal show-case for the Museum. From Major Duyts, the Secretary of the Society, we received the following information about the show-case:
“For some time now the Museum has been in the possession of the show¬case which was donated by the Society of Friends of the Museum. We can now exhibit the sets of medals given to us by veterans of the Battle of Arnhem, in a dignified way. The show-case has been given a place in the so-called “medal corner” of the large room and has been adapted to the forms of the.other presentations of veterans who received the Dutch Military William Order and the Victoria Cross.
The show-case has a background of maroon felt and a beautiful oak frame. With its many silver and bronze medals and their colourful ribbons it pays an impressive homage to the Arnhem heroes. We have tried to accompany the medals by photographs of their former owners.
Since George Gatland donated his medals to the Museum some years ago, several other veterans have done the same. These medals are an outward symbol of the courageous deeds of the members of the 1st British Airborne Division and the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade Group.
The Museum has also received sets of medals from relatives of Arnhem veterans, so that these medals will be kept and honoured amongst the others.
Many medals were accompanied by the message that there is only one place where they belong: in the Hartenstein Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek.”

New commemorative envelope.
Last September the Museum issued a new commemorative envelope. It shows the portrait of Lt-Colonel W.F.K. Thompson, commander of the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment R.A. in September 1944, together with the Royal Artillery emblem. It costs hfl. 5,– and is obtainable from the Museum.

Medals for the Airborne Museum.
Former Staff sergeant John Douglas Brooke was one of the veterans who regulary attended the commemorations of the Battle of Arnhem. The last time he was present was in September 1984; he died some weeks later.
One of.his last wishes was that his medals, received during .a many-sided military career, be donated to the Airborne Museum. The donation took place on September 20th by former Gunner Royal Artillery, Mr. R. Beasley, who was accompanied by Mr. R. Laing. The set, which consists of ten medals, was received by Major W. Duyts, secretary of the Airborne Museum. The medals will be given a place in the special show-case.

Questionnaire for our Dutch members.
On May 4th, 1985, we held our annual Special Subject day. It was organized by three of our Dutch members. As we knew the special subjects they are interested in, we could ask them to take the origanization upon them, confident that they would succeed. There has been a growing awareness of the fact that the more we know about the special subjects that our members are interested in, the greater the chance that we will be able to organize events that will interest and please them. As the Society has shortly been offered the use of a computer with printer,, we are now able to compile information about the special interests of our members, together with other important data.
In order to do this as efficiently as possible, Mr 0. Luursema has drawn up a questionnaire which our Dutch members will find with this newsletter. Dutch members are kindly requested to answer the questions as extensively as possible, so that we may obtain accurate information about your special interests and hobbies. We guaranteer that this information will be for our use only, nobody else will be able to obtain this information.

New start of the Educational Project.
Thanks to the generosity of various members and firms it has become possible to have Mr van Roekel’s documentation printed. The documentation has been sent to all primary and secondary schools in the Arnhem region, together with an invitation to visit the Museum at a reduced entrance-f ee. Many schools have already reacted positively and we expect that during the coming winter-season our Museum will play a well-earned part in many history-lessons. We are very happy about this special activity of our Museum.

New booklet about the destruction of Oosterbeek.
For the second time, Mesrs G.H.Maassen Sr. and Jr. have compiled a booklet with photographs about the destruction which took place in Oosterbeek between September 1944 and May 1945. It is called : “Oosterbeek Verwoest, 1944-1945”.
The first part came out exactly five years ago, in September 1980. It sold well and the publishers received many favourable reactions. Since that time many new photos have been obtained and as there were many requests for another booklet, it was decided to issue a follow-up. The new booklet contains 99 photographs, most of them were taken shortly after the liberation of Oosterbeek and they were taken both by professional and amateur photographers. It is obtainable from bookshops in Oosterbeek and Heelsum, from fa. van Doorne in Wolfheze and at the Museum, and costs hfl. 18,–. It can also be obtaines from Mr. G.H.Maassen Jr, Jan van Riebeeckweg 82, Oosterbeek, via Rabobank at Renkum, bankgiro 82.32.97, account no. 38.50.32.056. The costs are then hfl. 20,80.

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Editor: Drs. R.P.G.A. Voskuil
Translation: Mrs. A.G. Meeuwsen

Farewell to our British representative, Mr. A. Maynard M.B.E.
During the Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 22nd, we had to say goodbye to Mr. A. Maynard M.B.E., the British representative of our Society. His successor, as per January 1st, 1986, is Mr. Frank Young, who is also an Arnhem veteran. Unfortunately, for reasons of health, Mr. Young was unable to attend the Annual Meeting.
Mr. Maynard, who from 1959 was a member of the board of the Foundation, the Airborne Museum, has been our British representative since the foundation of the Society of Friends.
During all these years he solely and completely disinterestedly promoted and served the interests of our Society in England. He managed the administration of the British members, collected the subscriptions, took care of the correspondence and of the distribution of the English newsletter. He often came over to Holland, at his own expense, in order to attend the Annual Meetings.
In spite of his important input, he never sought to put himself forw . During the Annual Meeting the Chairman, Mr. J. Smits, thanked Mr. May all he has done for the Society, and presented him with a clock as a o en o our appreciation. . . .

“Dear Joe, on behalf of all our members, we thank you for all you aio and we hope to see you still often in our midst!”
Robert Voskuil.

Our Chairman Mr. J. Smits (r.) thanks Mr. Maynard for his work for the Society, (photo: B. de Reus)

Special Subject-day on Saturday, June 28th, 1986
On Saturday, June 28th, 1986, a special subject-day will again be organised for our members. The title of this day will be: “Corridor through Brabant, September 1944.”
The course of events during the Battle of Arnhem cannot be seen apart from the rest of Operation Market Garden. That is why this time we decided on an excursion to the Southern sector of the operation area. This excursion will be conducted by our member the historian Mr.Drs. K. Margry, author of the book “The Liberation of Eindhoven” an co-author of the book “September 1944”. Special attention will be paid to: the landing of the 101st American Airborne Division, the advance route of the 30th Army Corps from the Belgian border, and the German attempts to cut off the Corridor near Veghel.
The provisional programme is as follows:
09.00 hrs : Departure by coach from the car-park near the Museum in Oosterbeek. 09.45 hrs : Stop at Den Bosch railway station. This for participants who find
it easier to travel by train to Den Bosch. They must be in Den Bosch station at 09.45 hrs and are requested to mention this fact on their giro cheque.
10.30 hrs : Arrival at Valkenswaard : coffee-break.
10.50 hrs : Departure from Valkenswaard. Successive visits to: Lommel (“Joe’s Bridge”), the Belgian-Dutch border (breakout of the 30th Corps), Valkenswaard, Aalst (the bridge across the Tongelreep) and Son (the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal).
13.00 hrs : Lunch in Son.
14.00 hrs : Depart from Son. Visit to Best (Joe Mann Monument). Hence via the landing areas of the 101st Airborne Division, and St.Oedenrode to Veghel (corridor breakout 107. Panzerbrigade). After this a visit to the Liberation Museum at Veghel.
From Veghel the bus will depart for Den Bosch.
17.00 hrs : Departure from Den Bosch.
17.45 hrs : Arrival in Oosterbeek.
The costs for this day will be hfl. 35,–, comprising the excursion by coach, lunch and the excursion guide, to be paid by giro, no. 4403641 of the Society. Closingdate is June 1st. Applications will be booked in order of entry. The maximum number of participants has been decided on fifty, so do not wait too long if you want to take part! You are requested to brinq vour oassnnrt as we have to cross the Belgian-Dutch border. ~’ P P as we

Statuette
In close co-operation with the Foundation, the Airborne Museum, the Society has again ordered a statuette to be made, this time in bronze-coloured plastic It represents a soldier who is about to throw a hand-grenade. The artist Mrs. Janneke Ros, has succeeded, with the technical and critical assistance of the Museum staff, in creating a very good statuette, giving an impression of the tension and the grim reality of those days in September, 1944. P The statuette will shortly be for sale in the Museum Shop, it will cost Hfl. 35,—. It can also be ordered by giro (no. 4184300 Stichtinq Ariborne Museum, Oosterbeek), it will then cost Hfl. 45.–.

Part of the exhibition “Photography during the Battle of Arnhem”, (photo: B. de Reus)

Exhibition “Photography during the Battle of Arnhem”
On Friday, March 21st, Mrs. N. van den Broek-Laman Trip, deputy of the Province of Gelderland, opened the exhibition “Photography during the Battle of Arnhem” in the Museum. This exhibition has been compiled by Messrs. B. de Reus and R.P.G.A. Voskuil, and shows the activities of people who, either professionally or as amateurs, made photographs and films in September, 1944. Three men of the “Army Film and Photographic Unit” worked as official photographers and cameramen; on the part of the Germans the battle was recorded by members of the Propaganda Kompanien”. Photo’s and cameras from both groups are being shown. Apart from these an important place has been given to material that was recorded by the civilians. There were also British and German soldiers who secretly took photographs, something which had been strictly forbidden on both sides. After more than forthy years these snapshots can now be seen in the Museum.
On the occasion of this exhibition, a brochure has been issued in limited numbers, called “Photography during the Battle of Arnhem”. Among other things it shows a number of recently acquired photographs of the Battle of Arnhem. It costs Hf1. 2,50 and can also be obtained by post: giro 4403641, Vereniging van Vrienden van het Airborne Museum, mention “brochure fotograferen”. The exhibition can be seen till May 18th.
11 Roll of Honour” of British and Polish soldiers killed during the Battle of Arnhem Our member Mr. J. Hey from Hengelo has spent several years in compiling a survey of British and Polish personnel who were killed in action or who died afterwards of their injuries.
This “Roll of Honour” contains: the names of the fallen, the unit they belonged to the place where they now lie buried, and, if known, the place of their field graves. This “Roll of Honour” will be published by the Society and will be obtainable in the Museum. Further information will follow in the next News-Letter.

In Memoriam A.J. Baltussen
Our member Mr. Albertus Johannes Baltussen died suddenly on March 9th, 1986. He was 68 years old. Mr.Baltussen was born and bred in Driel. For him the airlandings in September 1944 meant the end of the menace of being betrayed and arrested by the Germans. Shortly before he had helped members of the Resistance to disappear after an attack on the Arnhem-Nijmegen railway. However, his presence in that area at that time had been noticed by someone who wanted to betray him to the Germans. Fortunately, this traitor had been rushed to hospital for an emergency operation. Still, Baltussen knew that very soon he would have to go into hiding. Operation Market Garden changed all that.
During the Battle of Arnhem Baltussen helped British soldiers who had been dropped South of the River Rhine, to reach Oosterbeek via the Drielse Veer. After the landings of the Polish Para’s he devoted himself to helping and nursing the wounded military and civilians. In the midst of the danger and the1suffering a strong bond of relationship grew between him and the Polish soldiers, which was even more strengthened by their common faith. After the war he gave expression to his feelings of friendship and gratitude to the 1 iterators by planting red and white begonias on the graves of the re-buried Polish Parachutists on the Airborne Cemetry. Together with his sister, Mrs. Cora Baltussen, he took care of the annual Commemoration and reunion of the Polish veterans in Driel. Albertus Baltussen was a devoted Roman-Catholic, who, also because of his faith, did not live solely for himself. He was prepared to serve others, before, during and after the Battle of Arnhem. He was resolute, kind and not seeking the limelight. The Polish veterans especially had won his heart and he done much for them.
We consider it a privilege to have known this remarkable man. He leaves many behind who will remember him with love and gratitude.
J. Smits

Action for BLESMA : a great success
It has been heart-warming to find that many of our members did answer our summons to help severely handicapped veterans by way of a monetary donation. Even during the Annual Meeting we received donations by telephone! During the Annual Meeting our chairman could hand the sum of more than Hf1. 1 .300,– to Captain Richard Bingley, the BLESMA representative.
We received a very symphathetic reaction from the Health Insurance Company “Het Zilveren Kruis”. Apart from a very substantial sum of money, this company also gave a number of material items, thus enabling some very severely handicapped veterans to come and attend the September Commemoration.

Airborne Museum receives gift of Captain Richard Bingley’s medals
During the Annual Meeting, Captain Richard Bingley, our first “member for life”, donated his set of medals to the Airborne Museum. In his word of thanks, Mr. W.J.M. Duyts, Secretary of the Museum, said that in doing so Richard Bingley is surely putting an important part of his life into the hands of the Museum, as these medals do not only cover the period of the Second World War, but also the period during which he saw active service in Korea. The fact that he decided to part with these outward signs of his bravery, underlines how closely Richard Bingley still feels himself to be involved in the events around Arnhem in September 1944. Mr. Duyts ended his speech as follows: “We will always cherish these medals in our Museum with reverence and love”. The set is a very special one and consists of: the 1939-1945 Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the War Medal, the Korea Medal with bronze oak-leaf for bravery, the U.N. Korea Medal, the Territorial Efficiency Medal, the Dunkirk 1940 Medal the King Albert I Cross of Belgium and the Cross of the Confederation Europeene des Ancies Combattants.

 

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Editor: Drs.R.P.G.A.Voskuil
Translation: Mrs.A.Meeuwsen

Successful co-operation between BLESMA, the Friends and the “Silver Cross”.
Thanks to the intensive co-operation between BLESMA, the Friends and the Insurance Company the “Silver Cross”, the visit to Oosterbeek by eight severely handicapped veterans was a great success. They were able to participate in all events. We were all happy to discover that the Dutch facilities with regard to advanced methods of adaptability did cause considerable improvements as to eye-sight and mobility. Mr.Drew, a veteran who fought with Richard Bingley’s platoon (see Ministory IX), and who spent 13 years in hospital, told us that after all these years he could now read and write again, thanks to a donated TV-magnifying glass. Another veteran, whose left arm and left leg had to be amputated, was taught how to use some inge¬niously constructed crutches; this meant that he could now move about without having to use his wheelchair. We were very moved by these examples and very happy for the people concerned.

General Sir John Hackett receives the “Roll of Honour” from its compiler, Mr.J.A.Hey. (photo: B.de Reus)

Although some people have accused us of performing a “commercial s un , y
pleased that we entered into this co-operation. It is rather easy to spea o gra i tude towards those who have had to live now for 42 years with pain and an leaps, tangible memories of the offer they brought for us. Now we have been a e o o something, let’s hope we will be able to do more in the future.
Our heartfelt thanks to the Board of the “Silver Cross”, the Derksen Taxica ompany, the people of the Kievitsdel Hotel, the Wiltgraef Restaurant and to our member Mr. Ton Schemkes. They all spared time nor pains in order to make these days unforget table for these so special veterans.
C.van Roekel

Special subject and contact-day.
On Saturday, November 15th, a combined special subject and contact-day will be organised for our members. The programme is as follows:
10.00 – 13.30 hrs: Contact-morning at the Westerbouwing Restaurant (can be reached by a no.6 bus from Arnhem Station). This morning can be used by members to meet other members, to discuss their special interests and to discover other people’s interests. The book-service will be present with an extensive collection.
The Westerbouwing Restaurant will also provide lunch.
13.30 – 14.00 hrs: Depart for the ELEKTRUM in Arnhem.
14.00 – 14.45 hrs: Lecture with slides about the 21st Independent Parachute Company. This 61ite unit, commanded by Major “Boy” Wilson, was in charge of the marking of the dropping- and landingzones. Afterwards they fought at several places in Oosterbeek.
14.45 – 15.15 hrs: Tea-break. Opportunity to visit the ELEKTRUM exhibition.
15.15 – 15.45 hrs: Lecture by Mr.J.A.Hey, the compiler of the “Roll of Honour” of the Battle of Arnhem. He will give background information and will be happy to answer any questions.
15.45 – 16.30 hrs: Film about the work of the British Commonwealth War Graves
Commission and/or film about the Netherlands counterpart, the “Oorlogsgraven Stichting”.
The ELEKTRUM is situated on the KIingelbeekseweg in Arnhem, some hundred metres from the road junction Onderlangs/Bovenover. Telephone: 085 – 568020.

“Roll of Honour” for General Sir John Hackett.
During a special meeting in the Airborne Museum on Friday, September 19th, General Sir John Hackett received the “Roll of Honour” from the hands of its compiler, Mr.J.A.Hey.
General Hackett was deeply impressed by the book which contains the names of every British and Polish soldier who died during the Battle of Arnhem. In his short speech the General thanked Mr.Hey for the amount of work that had to be done in order to compile this book.
The interest in this book, both in Holland and abroad, is overwhelming; several hundreds of copies have already been sold.

Issue of a new commemorative envelope.
On the occasion of the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem, the Museum has again issued a commemorative envelope. It shows a picture of Sir John Hackett, taken in 1944. Sir John was then commander of the 4th Para Brigade. During a meeting in the Airborne Museum, Sir John Hackett received the first envelope from Major W.J.M. Duyts, secretary of the Board of the Airborne Museum.

Mr.Reg Curtis: life-member.
On September 19th, Mr.Reg Curtis, a Battle of Arnhem veteran, became a life-member The Society of Friends now has six British and two Netherlands life-members

Colonel P.R.R.de Burgh thanks Christien de Haan of Heelsum for the portrait drawing she made of him, using photographs taken in 1944. (Photo: B.de Reus)

Former artillery-men visit battlefields.
On Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st, a group of men belonging to the “Royal Artillery Historical Society” visited Oosterbeek and its surroundings.
Four of its members served with one of the artillery units during the Battle of Arnhem. They were guided around the battlefields by Colonel P.R.R.de Burgh, who in 1944 served with Major-General Urquhart’s headquarters.
Colonel de Burgh is now attached to the Royal School of Artillery in Larkhill.
His preparations for the two-day excursion started a year ago and centred round the role played by the various artillery units during the Battle. Attention was also payed to the role played by the 64th Medium Artillery Regiment, which gave fire support from Nijmegen to the encircled British and Polish troops in Oosterbeek. The group visited the dropping- and landingzones near Wolfheze and Ede, former artillery positions around the Old Church in Oosterbeek, and the bridge at Arnhem. They also visited the Airborne Cemetery and the Airborne Museum.
During the visit to the Airborne Museum, Colonel de Burgh received a portrait of himself as a young man, drawn by Christien de Haan from Heelsum. She made the drawing from photographs of the then lieutenant de Burgh, which she found in the Museum-archives. Colonel de Burgh was very surprised and pleased, the more so as he did not know that these photographs existed.

Donation by Mr.Pelkman.
Our member Mr.Pelkman donated to the Museum a case for 15 smoke hand-grenades and a supply basket, dropped in 1944.

H.R.H.Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands unveils memorial tablet.
On Sunday, September 21st, H.R.H.Prince Bernhard unveiled a memorial tablet in the building of the National Sports Centre “Papendal” near Oosterbeek. This ta e reminds visitors of the fact that this area was the scene of fierce actions uring the Battle of Arnhem.
During the official meeting preceding the ceremony, a brochure was presented, called “The Battle of Arnhem, September 17th-26th, 1944 – The history of Papendal and the Johannahoeve area during the Battle”. The brochure contains 30 pages, with maps and pictures and is written by our member, Mr.0.Luursema from Arnhem.
The first copies were presented to H.R.H.the Prince and to General Sir John Hackett. The brochure is meant to tell the story to the, mostly young, visitors of the Sports Centre, and to make them aware of the fact that many lives were lost in the area where they can now pursue their favourite sports.
During the meeting H.R.H.Prince Bernhard was also presented with a copy of the “Roll of Honour”.

Memorial tablet in Oosterbeek Old Church.
During a short service, a memorial tablet was unveiled in Oosterbeek Old Church in memory of the men of 156 Para Battalion who fell during the Battle of Arnhem. The ceremony took place on Sunday, September 21st, and was performed by Mrs.Elisabeth Aird, daughter of Lt.Colonel Sir Richard des Voeux, in 1944 commander of 156 Para Battalion. Lt.Colonel des Voeux was killed in action in Oosterbeek on September 20th, 1944.
With this service ended a Battlefield Tour for former members of 156 Para Battalion, led by Colonel Geoffrey Powell and Colonel John Waddy. In 1944 they commanded “C” and “B” Company. Major Rh.J.Pott, former commander of “A” Company, also took part in the tour.

Donation of chair and set of medals to Museum.
A chair with inscription has been donated by Arthur Brawn and his wife Rene, in memory of Arthur’s brother Fred Brawn, who was killed in action in Oosterbeek in 1944. The inscription reads: “In Loving Memory of our Fred, Tpr.F.Brawn, 1st Airborne RECCE, killed Oosterbeek 19-9-1944, donated by Arthur and Rene.”
Tpr. Brawn’s set of medals were also donated to the Museum. On behalf of the Museum, Major W.J.M.Duyts received both gifts.

Polish badges of Honour.
During a special meeting in the Airborne Museum, the head of the Polish delegation from England, Captain Z.R.Gasowski, has presented Badges of Honour of the Polish Parachute Association to the following persons: Teresa Wasselkamp, Mr.H.Duinhoven Mr.J.A.Hey, Mr.K.Parmer, Mr.J.J.Rudolphie and Mr.J.Smits.
The badge intended for Mr.J.Schanstra was received by his daughter, as Mr.Schanstra sadly died some time ago.

Museum guide in Polish.
Some weeks ago the Polish guide for the Airborne Museum was published. Mrs.M.T. Saras-Janiszewska did undertake the translation.
A French guide will hopefully appear before long.

Exposition in the Airborne Museum.
During the commemoration week, the Museum showed a small exposition of portrait drawings by Christien de Haan, of commanders of the Battle of Arnhem.
Both General Sir John Hackett and Colonel Geoffrey Powell were presented with a portrait of themselves when they visited the Museum.

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