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FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM
Newsletter No. 90, June 2003
Translated by Cathrien and Peter Clark

From the editors
For some time the Friends’ Society has had its own office in the Airborne Museum, and this is now the home of the Newsletter editorship. The office has a computer with e-mail and internet facilities. The equipment was bought in conjunction with the Renkum municipality Local History Foundation, an organisation that researches the municipality’s history in its broadest sense and disseminates the results of its labours. This foundation also uses the office facilities for editing its own quarterly newsletter.
The Newsletter editorship’s e-mail address is vvamredactie@planet.nl

25th anniversary
On 11 May 1978 Major General R.E. Urquhart opened the new Airborne Museum in Huize Hartenstein. The museum had been housed in a section of Doorwerth Castle since 1949 under the auspices of the Local History Foundation. As the years passed the collection grew to such an extent that the available space was insufficient for displaying all the exhibits. The presentation also ceased to meet the requirements of the time. In 1977 it was decided to re-house the museum in the former Hartenstein hotel in Oosterbeek, for which the new Airborne Museum Foundation was created. So, on 11 May 2003, the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ in its present form celebrated its 25th ‘birthday’.
Berry de Reus began working for the Airborne Museum Foundation in 1978, as did three volunteers, namely Ad van Veggel, administrator, Wim de Ruijter, responsible for all the museum’s photographs, and Els Catersels, cash desk and shop. All still work at the museum.
In the early years Berry carried out the daily running of the museum virtually single-handed, but as time went by the tasks increased so much that delegation of the work became an obvious necessity. Nowadays the museum has a comprehensive staff. Over the last 25 years hundreds of visitors have come to know Berry as the pivotal point of the museum. Many prominent visitors have assisted him in word and deed.
Since the very beginning Wim de Ruijter has taken care of all the photos for the permanent exhibition. In 25 years he has printed more than 2,500 photographs, a thousand for the permanent exhibition and the rest for fourteen theme exhibitions. The above total does not include the photos required for the huge number of publications that have been produced. On top of all this, for many years Wim has been a board member of the Society of Friends of the Airborne Museum.

9 May 2003. Berry de Reus and Els Catersels are congratulated by Renkum aiderman Chris van Waveren (on the left) on the occasion of the reception held in the Airborne Museum to celebrate their 25 years work at the museum. (Photo: Robert Voskuil)

Since 1978, Ad van Veggel has organised the museum’s financial administration. Originally this was relatively uncomplicated, but over the years it has grown into a complex, computerised bookkeeping system. During the period 1993-1994 he also reorganised the entire administrative arrangements for the renovation of the museum. Els Catersels began at the cash desk as a volunteer. At that time the sale of tickets was still simple. Now there is an advanced cash registering system to

which an extensive shop is linked. Operation of the museum’s various audio-visual systems is also carried out from the cash desk area, as is the manning of the telephone.
A reception was held in the Airborne Museum on 9 May last to honour the four people celebrating their 25th anniversary. Speeches of congratulation were made by, among others, board members Wybo Boersma and Wim Duyts, and aiderman Chris van Waveren. Many people took the opportunity of congratulating the ‘celebrants’ on their 25 years of service to the museum. The Friends’ board was also represented and all four received gifts on behalf of the Society.
(Wybo Boersma)

Farewell to the chairman of the Airborne Museum Foundation
Mr J.W.A.M. Verlinden, chairman of the Airborne Museum Foundation and burgomaster of Renkum, retired on 1 April 2003. The statutes of the foundation allow for a seat on the board for a representative from the Renkum college of burgomaster and aidermen. This was Mr Verlinden, who was also chosen as chairman by the foundation board. The termination of his period as burgomaster also signalled the end of his chairmanship.
He was the face of the museum for almost 17 years. He represented both the municipality and the museum at many official functions including the Airborne Commemorations, with the 50th anniversary in 1994 as highpoint. As chairman he was host to many visitors to the museum, including members of the Dutch and British royal families, ambassadors, military attaches and many others, but, in particular, the veterans. He was ideally suited to hosting such visits.
Many people are unaware of his tremendous efforts behind the scenes on the museum’s behalf. During the fund-raising for the 1.993/1994 renovation, doors were opened to him that would have remained closed to anyone else.
Here and now, we would like to thank the departing chairman for all the work he has done down the years and wish him and his wife a long future together in good health.
Board member Mr J.W. van Slooten was made chairman as of 23 April 2003. Mr P.H. Tirion from Oosterbeek recently succeeded Mr M.D.M. Rutte as treasurer.
(Wybo Boersma)

Opening of exhibition
On Thursday afternoon the 24th of April, the exhibition ‘Vuursteun aan de Airbornes’ (Fire support for the Airborne) was opened by Captain P.W. Wilkinson. During the battle Peter Wilkinson was the Command Post Officer of 3rd Battery, Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, and fought near the old church at Oosterbeek-Laag.
The exhibition provides an overview of the deployment of the Royal Artillery during the Battle of Arnhem. In this, the role of the Airlanding Light Regiment R.A., the 1st and 2nd Airlanding Anti-Tank Batteries and the artillery support from the Betuwe by units of 30 Corps are highlighted. The part played by anti-tank units of the Airlanding battalions is also covered as far as possible.
In the compilation of the exhibition particular use was made of the various books about the artillery that have been published over the years. Unfortunately there is still a considerable lack of information on the use of, in particular, 17- pounder and 6-pounder anti-tank guns. However, the compilers have tried to be as complete as possible. Of the photos on show – more than 80 – there is also a number of lesser-known images to be seen.
Once again, several members of the Friends’ Society lent the museum items from their personal collections for the exhibition.
A ‘star’ of the show is the new ‘Polsten gun’, purchased by the museum with financial help from the Friends. Alas, it was not possible to get the gun over from England in time for the opening but it is now set up on the first floor in the room next to the Rijnbrug model. The Reconnaissance Squadron had two of these pieces at their disposal during the battle although it is not certain if they were actually used. A detailed article on this type of gun will appear in the next Newsletter.
The exhibition will run until 4 November 2003.

Excursion to Hamminkeln on 4 October 2003
On Saturday 4 October next, the Friends’ Society is organising an excursion to the area around Hamminkeln in Germany where the last great airborne operation of World War II took place on 24 March 1945. We made our first battlefield tour to this region in May 1995, a region where units including the 6th British Airborne Division were involved in such heavy fighting. We are repeating this trip in response to the many requests.
Programme details and costs will appear in the next issue of the Newsletter.

In Memoriam:
Herman Alexander Roell
Lex Roell passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Waalre on 22 November 2002, one week before his 77th birthday.
Over the last few years he had become more and more physically affected by his illness. At times he found this extremely difficult, because there were still so many facets of ‘Arnhem’ that he wished to investigate further.
In his younger days he lived at ‘Bornshoeve’ in Schaarsbergen where, after the airborne landings in September 1944, he was confronted with the horrors of war. Among other things, he and his brothers ensured that the bodies of the airmen and air despatches who lost their lives in the surrounding area were given a decent burial. He was never able to erase completely from his mind his wartime experiences. After a career in Italy he moved to Waalre in the Netherlands, and then went about renewing his many contacts in Arnhem and Oosterbeek. I got to know him through Henk Tiemens from Arnhem, and the three of us spent countless hours on the reconstruction of aircraft crashes, the locating of field graves of the dead, etc. Lex, with passion and unrestrained energy, initially carried out much field work in the province of Noord-Brabant, looking for evidence of identification of the fallen who up till then had remained unknown or of whom information was, to say the least, vague. This later resulted in positive identifications of a number of airmen whose names were recorded in the last Roll of Honour. Lex carried out a thorough study of the Royal Air Force’s air movements during operation Market Garden and the task of air re¬supply that was allotted to the men of the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), the so-called air despatches. He was therefore closely involved in the raising of the monument for the servicemen who lost their lives during the operation, as well as in the identification of a number of RASC soldiers.
For all this highly appreciated work he was made an Honorary Member of the Arnhem 1944 Veterans Club and the Air Despatch Association. His inspiring personality and friendship will be sorely missed by us all.
(Jan Hey)

New Roll of Honour
In 1999 our society published the fourth, revised edition of the Roll of Honour of the Battle of Arnhem, compiled by Jan Hey. There are still a few copies of this honour list of (allied) fallen for sale, so the true collectors or enthusiasts will need to be quick off the mark. The Friends’ board has decided that a start can be made on the preparations for a fifth edition, and to this end additions and corrections have already been gathered.
Any of our readers who may be able to contribute relevant details to the new edition of the Roll are kindly requested to make the information known. This could be the pointing out of errors found in the fourth edition or, for example, the provision of extra details about the place where, and the circumstances under which, a soldier was killed. Geert Maassen (Jan van Riebeeckweg 39, 6861 BD Oosterbeek; e-mail wnmrprlarfip@planet.nl) is looking forward with interest to receiving any such information.

‘B Company arrived’
The book ‘B Company arrived’, written by society member David van Buggenum, was published on 26 April 2003. David, the son of Dutch parents, was born in Perth, West Australia in 1963, and has lived in Arnhem since 1970. His parents lived in Arnhem throughout the war years and were able to tell from first-hand experience what took place around the Gelderland capital during and after September 1944. When, at the age of 16, David began to show interest in the local history of the 1940-1945 period, he concentrated his attention on a relatively small group of just over 100 parachutists. They were the men of B Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, who had fought at the Rijnbrug and other places during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. Through one of them, Sid Fisher, he would meet, interview and write about many of the B Company veterans over the following years. He also obtained information from Dutch civilians who were involved in the events surrounding B Company, and gathered German accounts that highlighted ‘the enemy’ aspect. Interested principally in the personal experiences, David van Buggenum wrote the book ‘B Company arrived’, which is lavishly illustrated with photographs, maps and documents.

David van Buggenum signs copies of his book ‘B Company arrived’ during its presentation.
(Photo: Renkum, 26 April 2003; Bob Gerritsen)

The Book
There is still much to be told about the Battle of Arnhem, and this book relating the experiences of B Company, 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, – ‘B Company arrived’ – bears this out. It is in English and is written by David G. van Buggenum, a Friend of the Airborne Museum. How the advance to and the battle at the Arnhem road bridge progressed can be found in the books by such people as Urquhart, Frost, Hibbert, Mackay, McKee, Sims, Powell, Kershaw, Peatling, Ryan and Middlebrook, plus a few Dutch authors. However, B Company hardly gets a mention in any of these books in spite of the fact that it accounted for some 13% of the British force at the bridge. This book sets the record straight and tells the whole story!

B Company served as battalion reserve during the advance and had the task of capturing and holding the pontoon bridge. We follow B Company – consisting of Company Headquarters, 4th, 5th and 6th Platoons – from its departure from England on 17 September to its arrival on the dropping zone at Heelsum, followed by its progress to the bridge via ‘Lion route’, the advance route taken by the 2nd Battalion. We witness the skirmishes at Oosterbeek-Laag station, the hold-up at the pontoon bridge, and the fighting at Roermondsplein, in the centre of Arnhem, and around the bridge. We live through the concealment, evacuation, hospitalisation and captivity as POWs of a number of the men. David van Buggenum carries us along via the personal accounts of the parachutists, their German opponents and Dutch civilians, and he portrays the battle, with all its emotions, very ably. By intermingling the stories from the various aspects he provides an excellent insight into the course of the battle seen from the viewpoints of friend and foe alike. We are also introduced to the well-known photographer Sem Presser. The excellent research, analyses and overviews excite admiration. David has written a tense history with great human depth. Wonderful examples of this are Lieutenant Levien’s diary and the stories from Private Izzard and the Dutchman who acted as guide to the company, Jan- Louis Locht.
As is customary, the book is beautifully produced by R.N. Sigmond Publishing, contains many illustrations and good maps, and reads very smoothly. ‘B Company arrived’ comprises 160 pages and costs € 24,50. It is available at the Airborne Museum, in bookshops in Oosterbeek and at the Gelders Archive in Arnhem.
UK members can contact our representative Niall Cherry, 3 Church Road, Warton, Lancs PR4 1BD; 01772 632764; e-mail Niall.Cherry@bae.co.uk (Okko Luursema)

Monument to the RAF
We have received the following request from the ‘Arnhem Battle Research Group’.
‘In the course of the exhibition about the Royal Air Force re-supply missions during the Battle of Arnhem that was held in September last year in Oosterbeek town hall, visitors were asked to give their opinion on the possibility of a monument/ memorial stone to the crew members who were involved in these missions. At the moment there is no such monument. 99% of the people who signed the visitors’ book reacted positively to this suggestion, with most adding that a monument should have been erected years ago. Former RAF aircrew or their relatives sometimes ask us where flowers can be placed in memory of the efforts of the British air force at Arnhem. These people have to be referred to the Airborne Monument opposite ‘Hartenstein’ or to the Air Despatch monument near the Airborne Cemetery. There is no special monument to the RAF, while in fact their role was vitally important.
During the Battle of Arnhem a Stirling crashed in Doorwerth at the spot where the Rehoboth School now stands. Last September we placed two posters in the building giving information and showing photos of the aircraft involved. The children can now read what occurred on the site of their school so many years ago. It was during talks with the head teacher that the idea was born of raising a memorial at this spot as a mark of honour to the Royal Air Force. The school board approved the plan, advising that it should be a simple stone pillar of the type to be found at various locations in Arnhem and Oosterbeek.
In the meantime we have approached various organisations, including the Arnhem 1944 Veterans Club, and everyone is very enthusiastic. The plan will now be worked out in detail. Help in any shape or form is welcome. If you would care to assist in this project please contact Philip Reinders, Margrietstraat 4, 6991 XH Rheden.’ (Philip Reinders)
Editor’s note: The board of the Friends’ Society fully supports this initiative for the raising of a memorial to the RAF and has informed Mr Reinders to this effect.

‘315 Troop Carrier Group’
Recently American Friends’ Society member George F. Cholewczynski established Walka Books, a small press publishing house in New Orleans. George is the author of the book ‘Poles Apart’, which appeared in the Dutch language as ‘De Polen van Driel’ in 1990. Walka has recently published the book ‘Airborne Troop Carrier Three-One-Five Group’, by William L. Brinson. This troop transport group of the United States Army Air Force was founded in February 1942, and left for England in November of the same year. The book tells of the period in which the aircraft operated from various British bases and the operations they took part in, such as Sicily, D-Day, Arnhem and the Rhine Crossing. On 18 September 1944 the group’s task included the dropping of the 4th Parachute Brigade on Ginkel Heath; three days later they dropped the Polish Para Brigade near Driel.
Besides general reports the book contains many interesting personal accounts. The book is well worth reading, contains maps and photos (the majority unknown), and is published by Walka Books, P.O. Box 56307, New Orleans LA 70156, USA, Walka44@msn.com The book is on sale in the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’, € 27,50.

Volunteers needed
The Airborne Museum is looking for volunteers who are occasionally prepared to man the museum’s sales stand at events such as Defence Open Days, commemorations, walks etc. The next event is the Airborne Walk on 6 September next. If you are prepared to help and are available on that day, or others, please contact W. Boersma or B. de Reus at the Airborne Museum (026 3337710).

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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. 88, October 2002
Translated by Cathrien and Peter Clark
Representative in Great Britain: Niall Cherry, 3 Church Road, Warton, Lancs, PR4 1BD Tel. home 0177-2632764

Airborne Cemetery Oosterbeek, 22 September 2002.

Children place flowers on the graves during the memorial service.

(photo: Berry de Reus)

From the editors
Much of note has happened over the past weeks including the 58th commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem, so many in fact that we are only able to cover a few in this issue due to lack of space. The remaining reports will be published in the next Newsletter.

Theme afternoon, 2 November 2002
Our society is organising a theme afternoon to be held in Zalencentrum ‘Lebret’ in Lebretweg, Oosterbeek on 2 November next.
The programme is as follows: 13.30 – 1.4.00 hours: Reception of the members.
14.00 – 15.00 hours: Lecture by Marcel Zwarts on the deployment of German armour during the Battle of Arnhem. Marcel has researched this subject for many years and recently published the book ‘German Armored Units at Arnhem, September 1944′. The lecture will be lavishly illustrated with slides.
15.00 -15.45 hours:
BREAK.
15.45 – 16.30 hours: Second part of Marcel Zwarts’ lecture.
16.30 – 17.00 hours: Time for questions, discussions and chats.
Ca. 17.15 hours: End of the theme afternoon.

Appeal
Patrick Pronk, author of the book ‘Airborne Engineers, The Shiny 9lh’, is busy compiling details on the history of the 1st Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers. He is looking for documents, personal accounts, photographs etc. People who are interested in helping him, especially veterans from this unit, are kindly asked to contact Patrick Pronk, Doomstraat 279, 2584 AM Scheveningen, Holland, telephone 070 3545581, e-mail: PJPronk@hotmail.com.

Obituary: Henry McAnelly, battlefield guide
Arnhem veteran Henry McAnelly passed away at his home in Kortenhoef on 11 July this year. He was 79 years of age. For almost thirty years Henry conducted people around the area of the Battle of Arnhem.
In September 1944 he was a private in a 1st Parachute Brigade mortar platoon. During the advance to Arnhem he was seriously wounded at Mariendaal, an area between Oosterbeek and Arnhem. He lost his left arm and received multiple bullet and shrapnel wounds to his head and body. He was taken to St. Elisabeths Gasthuis and from there to the Koning Willem III barracks in Apeldoorn, where he underwent an operation on his wounds. At the end of October he was transferred to Stalag 7 prisoner of war camp at Freising. There he was given further treatment, this time by German doctors. Shortly before Germany capitulated he was taken to Marseilles via Switzerland and France, where he was put on board a hospital ship bound for Liverpool.

He was hospitalised for long periods after the war. When he had recovered he travelled every year to Oosterbeek in order to visit the former battlefield. In 1954 he moved to the Netherlands where he had found employment. Following his early retirement he began giving guided tours of the Arnhem battle area. He continued to do this for almost thirty years. His experiences were used by the author Edward Monroe-Jones in his book ‘Before I Sleep, A novel about Arnhem’, that was published in 1990.

Commemorative envelope 2002
On 17 September 2002 the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek issued its annual commemorative envelope. This issue is the seventh in the series: ‘Monuments of the Battle of Arnhem’.
The envelope shows the monument to the 101st US Airborne Division on the Drielse Rijndijk near Heteren.
The 101st US Airborne Division took over the positions between Opheusden and Elst from the 43rd British (Wessex) Division on 4 October 1944. At Opheusden the Americans were involved in bitter fighting with the German 363rd Volksgrenadier Division. The Germans had crossed the Rhine and begun advancing from Kesteren towards Opheusden-Dodewaard, supported by tanks. This ‘Battle of Opheusden’ continued until 15 October. Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment – the ‘Band of Brothers’ – was also engaged in this battle.
During the night of 22/23 October, 138 British, 10 Dutch and two Russians left Renkum to cross the Rhine with the aid of the Dutch resistance and Easy Company, and successfully reached the American lines. This action was codenamed ‘Operation Pegasus’.
Six days later six American parachutists carried out a reconnaissance patrol to Ede, and returned the following day with 32 German prisoners, a feat of arms that became known as the ‘Incredible Patrol’.
The Americans were relieved on 29 November. The defence of the Betuwe, also called ‘The Island’, cost the 101st Airborne Division more than 300 dead. The monument on the Rijndijk near Heteren commemorates their deployment. It was erected by members of the ‘101st Airborne Committee Betuwe’ and was unveiled on 15 September 1982.
An issue of 300 numbered copies of the commemorative envelopes have been produced and franked ’17 September 2002′ with the philatelists’ stamp of the Oosterbeek post office.
The first example was presented to the ‘Leader of the Pilgrimage’ 2002 Sir James Cleminson. In September 1944 he commanded 5th Platoon, B Company, 3rd Parachute Batallion.
The commemorative envelopes are for sale in the Airborne Museum Oosterbeek at € 3,00.
Limited numbers from previous years are available at the museum. Refer also to our website: www.airbornemuseum.com.

16 September 2002. Former Friends’ Society chairman Chris van Roekel receives a copy of the book ‘Operation Market-Garden, Then and Now’from author Karel Margry. Chris was given the book in appreciation of all the work he has done for our society over the last twenty years. This gift was promised him during his farewell on 6 April this year, when he received a ‘symbolic book token’ prior to it’s publication.
(photo: Berry de Reus)

‘Operation Market-Garden, Then and Now’
Monday afternoon 16 September 2002 saw the ‘unveiling’ in the ‘Hartenstein’ of the monumental literary work ‘Operation Market-Garden, Then and Now’. After H.R.H. Prince Bernhard had received a copy of the book from the author elsewhere earlier that day, the official first copy was presented to the trustees of the Airborne Museum Foundation for the museum library. This ceremony brought to an end, after more than twelve years, a comprehensive work from author Karel Margry.
For many years Karel, not unknown to the Friends, has edited the magazine ‘After the Battle’, which appears in the Netherlands under the title ‘Toen en Nu’. Therefore, the recently published book naturally follows the style with which we are familiar from the periodical. This, combined with Karel’s almost encyclopaedic knowledge of operation Market Garden, has resulted in an outstanding publication. Neither did the author hesitate to ask many experts their advice on specific battle sectors.
The entire operation, the British, Polish and American airborne landings as well as the advance of the ground forces – including the army corps that provided flank protection – is pictured day by day, sometimes hour by hour, in two volumes containing 2340 photographs. The captions are very detailed and informative. The concept of wartime photographs and photos of the present day situation makes for a ‘Market Garden battlefield tour’ that can be followed from an armchair at home, or in the field with the books as guides.
If we limit ourselves to the ‘Arnhem’ section alone we come across still more previously unknown photographs. These were unearthed thanks to Karel’s intensive detective work in archives, museums, press offices and private collections. Karel has arranged (all) the well known photographs by the British war photographers in the sequence in which they were taken. This sometimes produces surprises. Various photos appear to have been taken at locations other than was generally assumed. The many known photographs from the German Bundesarchiv (National Archive) are presented in the same way. Among other things, Karel also shows which operational plans were found by the Germans in a crashed Allied glider as well as the aircraft in which they were found. Although the reconnaissance photos showing the presence of German tanks in the Arnhem area were not traced, the author provides many new facts on the subject.
These are two volumes to be read at one sitting, although at the expense of some sleep, and then for regular leafing through. The book is only available in English, and the two parts come in a rigid box. Despite the high price it is a must for anyone interested in operation Market Garden. It is for sale in the museum shop.
Karel Margry, ‘Operation Market-Garden, Then and Now’. ISBN 1 870067 39 8. Published by Battle of Britain International Ltd, Church House, Church Street, London, E15 3JA, United Kingdom. The book contains 720 pages and is illustrated with photos, maps and tables. The price: € 130. (Wybo Boersma)
Niall Cherry lecture
On Sunday afternoon of 8 September 2002, around thirty members gathered in the side room of the Schoonoord restaurant in Oosterbeek to listen to three short lectures by our UK representative Niall Cherry. The first subject was the battle for the Van Limburg Stirumschool at the Rhine bridge in Arnhem. According to the speaker the days’ long defence of this building by a small group of men against overwhelming German odds was an act of great courage and bravery. His next story also involved events at the bridge and concerned Leo Hall, ‘Bombardier’ with the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery. In his third lecture Niall dealt with the experiences of Doctor Lipmann Kessel and his escape from Apeldoorn.
These three clearly and unambiguously told stories were followed by questions from the floor, most of which Niall was able to answer! One question that had to remain unanswered: ‘Why was the commander of the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel W.F.K. Thompson, known as ‘Sheriff’ Thompson?’ Reactions please to the editors!
When the presentations were over most of those who attended remained behind chatting for quite a while.
Niall promised he would be back in September 2004 to discuss a number of other subjects. We look forward to it!

8 September last. Niall Cherry gives a lecture in the Schoonoord restaurant in Oosterbeek.
(photo: Berry de Reus)

‘Luchtalarm op de Veluwe’ (Air raid alert in the Veluwe)
The book ‘Luchtalarm op de Veluwe’ (by Wolter Noordman) relates the experiences of the crew of the American bomber 42-52506 (a Liberator) that crashed near Hierden in the Northern Veluwe on 29 April 1944. Some of the crew make contact with the resistance and manage to go into hiding. It is principally their experiences that Noordman describes in minute detail. For this he makes use of various publications, numerous archives and eyewitness accounts.
In November 1944 a few airmen take part in operation Pegasus II, in which an attempt is made to help more than one hundred British Airborne and other allied servicemen to escape across the Rhine to the liberated South Netherlands. That the attempt failed is well known.
Noordman provides a comprehensive account of Pegasus II which includes a list of participants.
The author paints a vivid picture of the resistance in the Northern Veluwe. He highlights the difficulties faced by the helpers and the allied servicemen in keeping out of German clutches. No one will be surprised to learn that luck played a big part in this.
Generally speaking the story is a little fragmented. The author had the choice of a description per person, making repetition inevitable, or following a chronological sequence which could affect the flow. The book is liberally provided with notes, a list of sources and a good acknowledgement of photographs, something which other books often lack. A simple map might have been useful for people not familiar with the Veluwe.
The book is highly recommended. Those interested in the air war as well as the Resistance, and/or operation Market Garden will find their individual tastes well catered for in this publication.
‘Luchtalarm op de Veluwe’, by Wolter Noorman, was published in 2002 by Kok in Kampen (ISBN 90 435 0523 4), contains 172 pages, and is illustrated with photographs. It can be ordered through the regular bookshops and is for sale in the Airborne Museum. Price € 14.95.
(W. Boersma)

New photograph discovered
One of our members, who for reasons best known to himself wishes to remain anonymous, recently came up with an unusual photograph. It is a snapshot taken in the Arnhem region in September 1944. The print shows a German tracked vehicle of a type that was known to have operated at Arnhem but of which there had been no photographic evidence of that fact till now.
The photo was taken by Ruud van der Sijde, who at the time lived at the corner of Utrechtseweg/ Rosandelaan in the western outskirts of Arnhem. Ruud snapped a Jagdpanzer IV on Monday 18 September 1944 as it drove past his house along Utrechtseweg on the way to Oosterbeek.
Our experts are busily arranging all the data regarding (the deployment of) this tank hunter, the unit to which it belonged, and its direct British opponents. We hope to return to this interesting topic in more detail in a future Newsletter.

A Jagdpanzer IV on Utrechtsezveg in Arnhem, at the junction with Rosandelaan, driving in the direction of Oosterbeek, 18 September 1944.
(photo R. van der Sijde)

Addition to the Roll of Honour
According to Jan Hey’s standard work it concerns Dakota No. KG-418 from 512 Squadron, that was piloted by Flight Lieutenant R.S.F. Matthews. Fortunately there were no fatalities when it crashed on 20 September 1944, which, however, makes it difficult if not impossible to determine the exact spot.
An aerial photo on page 733, Volume 2, of the well known book series ‘Blik Omhoog’ by author Cor Janse, shows the Buunderkamp area near Ginkel Heath where a crash-landed Dakota can be seen. The caption identifies the machine as a Stirling, but this fault is corrected on page 1345 of the supplement. Could this have been Matthews’ aircraft?
Contact was made with Canadian Floyd Willston via the Internet and he was prepared to look into what befell the crew of KG-418, now 58 years ago. It transpired that they were captured by the Germans shortly after crash-landing but survived the war. One of them died soon after, on 17 October 1945 to be precise. This was Warrant Officer Peter B. Tonner (from Canada), who, on his return from Germany, had been promoted to Flying Officer.
Floyd traced the Tonner family, and they were able to tell that Peter died at the age of 26 as the result of acute tuberculosis and meningitis contracted during his time as a prisoner of war. The conclusion reached was that Peter Tonner warranted being seen as a victim of the Battle of Arnhem, something with which Jan Hey heartily agrees. Peter’s details (and those of the other crew members and the aircraft) will be included in the next edition of the Roll of Honour.
The Dakota took part in a re-supply mission on Wednesday 20 September 1944 crewed by: Flight Lieutenant R.S.F. Matthews (pilot), Flight Sergeant W.C. Thompson (2nd pilot), Warrant Officer D.W. Bromige (navigator) and Warrant Officer P.B. Tonner (radio-operator). There were also four Air Despatches on board (responsible for ejecting the supplies), but alas their names are not known.
The question remains: is the Dakota in the photo in ‘Blik Omhoog’ that of Matthews and Tonner? In a Canadian report compiled just after Peter’s return, he states that his machine came down about ten miles from Ede. A search of the site where the aircraft in Cor Janse s book ended its career unearthed some ‘finds’, but nothing to prove they were from KG-148. Who has the answer?
(Geert Maassen)
Naturally, a certain amount of research had to be done for the ‘Wings – by air to Arnhem’ exhibition held recently in Oosterbeek town hall. This research was carried out by Philip Reinders and included the history of the aircraft that crashed in September 1944 in missions associated with Market Garden.
The Roll of Honour (an honour list of the fallen) mentions an aircraft whose crash site is unknown.

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Editors:
Drs. R.P.G.A. Voskuil
C. van Roekel
G.H. Maassen jr.

Newsletter No. 86, May 2002
Translated by Cathrien and Peter Clark

Representative in Great Britain: Niall Cherry, 3 Church Road, Warton, Lancs, PR4 1BD Tel. home 0177-2632764

6 April 2002. Chris van Roekel receives a book voucher for the standard work ‘Market Garden, Then and Now’ front the hands of Robert Voskuil on the occasion of Chris’s retirement as chairman of the Friends’ Society. The book is due for publication in September this year. On the right is Chris’s successor as chairman, Ben Kolsler.
(photo G.J. Koster)

Chris van Roekel’s farewell
During the AGM of the Friends’ Society on 6 April 2002, Chris van Roekel relinquished his post as Society chairman. He is succeeded by Ben Kolster. Chris served on the board of management for 19 years, and in those 19 years he got through an unbelievable amount of work of an extremely varied nature.
Chris joined the board on 12 March 1983 under Jan Smits’s chairmanship and from the very beginning it was obvious he was full of energy and new ideas. One of his first proposals was the addition to the Newsletter of a so-called ‘Ministory’ in which a specific and independent aspect of the Battle of Arnhem would be explored. Chris wrote the first. It was about the use of carrier pigeons during the Battle of Arnhem and appeared with Newsletter No. 10 of May 1983. Many more Ministories were to flow from his pen.
He also tackled the organisation of theme days with great energy, and under his leadership the first big theme day was held on 2 July 1983. Walking tours, bus tours and even boat trips followed.
Later he proposed the organisation of excursions abroad as well. This resulted in the outstandingly successful trips to Normandy, England and to Hamminkeln, in Germany.
As an ex-headmaster, the passing on of knowledge has always had his special interest. In February 1984 he took the initiative for a ‘Schools Project’ whereby students could learn about the events of September 1944 in a particularly educative manner at the Airborne Museum. It was obviously a hit because the project created a lot of interest and continues to do so. It must have given Chris a great feeling of satisfaction when, on 22 June last year, he was able to welcome the project’s 50,000th participant at the Airborne Museum.
His organisational skills came well to the fore in this project and on many other occasions. Chris knew everyone and therefore had easy access everywhere. Few people could resist his friendly boldness, and once he had an idea fixed in his head it was difficult to remove.
He was the first to entice sponsors into helping with the financing of various society projects, such as the printing of instruction folders for the Schools Project and the issuing of publications. This saved the society considerable amounts of money.
He also played a very active part in the sale of items. For years he and Mieke de Langen took care of the stock in the society shop. Whenever the society had a stall at one or other event he was often to be found nearby.
And another fact that is not generally known. Thanks to his efforts, disabled veterans who were not in a position to meet the costs themselves were able to attend the commemorations of the Battle of Arnhem at the expense of a large Dutch health insurance company. This continued for a number of years. It is a hallmark of his character: he is always there for people who are a little less well off.
In addition to the Schools Project he contributed greatly to the dissemination of knowledge of ‘September 1944’ through the stimulation of publications and by writing books himself.

By 1984 he had already taken the initiative in compiling a number of walking, cycling and motorists guides through the Arnhem battle area. He gave his full support to the publication of the ‘Roll of Honour’ which appeared in 1986 and has been reprinted many times. The booklet ‘De Tommies Komen’ (The Tommies are Coming) followed in 1987. He carried out thorough research for his own publications ‘Who was who during the Battle of Arnhem’, 1992, and ‘Verscheurde Horizon’ (Torn Horizon), published in 1998.
He was a daily presence in the museum for many years. He organised everything, from the building of the plinth for the Sherman tank in 1987 and the painting of the guns, to the planting of flower bulbs around the museum.
When plans for the modernisation of the Airborne Museum were tabled in 1993, he and a team of people implemented the ‘Facelift’ Lottery to help defray the cost of the project. This demanded a great deal of his time and energy, but the profits from this action made it all worthwhile.
A small bulldozer of the type used in the Battle of Arnhem was discovered in Belgium and Chris would not rest until it had been bought by the society. Following a long period of restoration, in which he himself took part, the vehicle is now a showpiece in one of the Airborne Museum’s dioramas.
In March 1999 Chris answered the call to become our society’s chairman, and from that moment his life became much more hectic. Many pleasant as well as less pleasant things had to be dealt with, which he did with great verve because he was always fully behind what had to be done.
For health reasons Chris must now take things a bit easier and has therefore resigned from the board, much to our regret. However, he has said that he still intends doing some work for the society, and that pleases us no end. We very much appreciate it!
The society owes Chris a great debt of gratitude for all the work he has done over the last nineteen years. Chris, A THOUSAND TIMES THANKS!!
(The board of the Friends’ Society)

Walk on 15 June
On Saturday 15 June next the Society of Friends is organising a walking excursion through part of the 1944 ‘Perimeter’.
The walk will begin at 10.00 hours at the Airborne Museum. In the morning a number of points in the northern section of the ‘Perimeter’ will be visited, including the positions of the 7th Battalion The King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Participants will then head for the Schoonoord restaurant for lunch.
After lunch the excursion will continue to Annastraat (10th Battalion), the Dam and the Old Church in Benedendorp, where a number of the Light Regiment Royal Artillery positions will be visited among others. The excursion will then carry on to the Pietersberg and from there to the Tafelberg, where the participants will be able to see for themselves how the demolition work that began at the end of April is progressing.
The walk will end at about 17.00 hours at the Airborne Museum.
If you would like to take part you are kindly requested to contact Eugene Wijnhoud, Bernhardlaan 41/1, 6824 LE Arnhem, telephone 026 3513100, email: E.Wijnhoud@12move.nl, before 10 June. The cost of this walking excursion is € 20, which includes the cost of the lunch and an excursion guide. The number of participant is limited to a maximum of 50 members.
(E. Wijnhoud)

‘Market Garden in miniature’
The exhibition ‘Market Garden in Miniature’ opened in the Airborne Museum on Thursday 18 April last, and will continue until 3 November.
A number of 1 : 76 scale dioramas made by Guy S. DeLillio from America are on display in the exhibition. Guy has been a Friends’ Society member for some years. The dioramas depict various actions that took place during Operation Market Garden, including the liberation of Eindhoven, the Bailey bridge at Son in Brabant, and Hell’s Highway. Items relating to the landings and fighting at Arnhem and Oosterbeek include models of Hartenstein and the Old Church, the advance of British troops under the viaduct in Benedendorpsweg, and the actions of L/Sgt J.D. Baskeyfield in Acacialaan.
Besides the dioramas, objects that relate to the actions shown in the dioramas are also exhibited. Some of these objects were found recently during excavation work.
The opening ceremony was performed by Mr M. van Etten from TWENOT Society. The members of this society build models of military vehicles as well as dioramas.
The publication in America of the book ‘Arnhem:

Model maker Guy DeLillio and his wife Nina at the opening of the Market Garden in Miniature’ exhibition on 18 April 2002.
(photo: Berry de Reus)

Defeat and Glory, A Miniaturist’s Perspective’ coincided with this exhibition. In ten chapters, Guy DeLillio provides an overview of Market Garden. The 160-page book is beautifully produced, contains clear maps and is richly illustrated with colour photographs of the dioramas. Not many new facts are revealed, but that was not the author’s intention. Therefore, clear reference to sources is made at the end of each chapter. Although the exact price is not yet known it is expected to be around € 40. The book will be on sale in the ‘Hartenstein’ before long.
‘Arnhem: Defeat and Glory, A Miniaturist’s Perspective’, by G.S.W. DeLillio, is published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310, USA, ISBN 0-7643-1443-2.
(Wybo Boersma)

News from Niall
Niall Cherry, our representative in Britain, has sent us the following message. ‘Various people who took part in the successful ‘British Weekend’ in June 2001 have asked us when the next such event is to be organised.
The answer is that we intend holding a comparable weekend in June or August 2003. The programme will again consist of a day during which the former battlefields will be explored on foot, and a day visiting a number of other locations by car. It should be noted that the programme will definitely not be the same as that of June 2001.
Any British members interested in this weekend in 2003 are kindly requested to get in touch with Niall Cherry as soon as possible (e-mail: niall.cherry@baesystems.com). The maximum number of participants is limited to 25.’

Acquisitions
Last December, Mr G.R. Castendijk from Rotterdam presented a number of Battle of Arnhem souvenirs to the Airborne Museum via the Renkum Municipal Archive. The souvenirs included a British aircraft recognition instruction booklet, a booklet with information on German uniforms and badges of rank, a booklet entitled ‘The new dictionary for nurses’, various German and British emblems, and a small British tin used for detonators.
Most of the material was found by Mr Castendijk on the ‘Ommershof’ estate in Oosterbeek shortly after the fighting in September 1944. In those days the Castendijk family from Rotterdam used the estate as a summer residence.

Appeal
In Newsletter no. 84 we reported the death of Dave Morris. In the article we mentioned a German photograph showing Dave being interrogated by a German. We are interested to know where this photo was taken, hence the print in this Newsletter. The question is therefore: by which house (in Oosterbeek, Arnhem, Velp??) was this photo taken? Note in particular the half-round window vaguely visible over the front door. Other information (who else is in the picture and which units do they belong to? When was it taken and who was the cameraman?) would also be very welcome.
If you can help please contact Geert Maassen, Gemeentearchief Renkum, Postbus 9100, 6860 HA Oosterbeek, tel. 026 3348303, email gmaassen@renkum.nl.

The interrogation of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Dave Morris (11th Battalion) following his capture on 24 September 1944 in Beneden-Weverstraat in Oosterbeek. Where was this (German) photo taken?
(photo: R. Voskuil collection)

Diorama maintenance
Every year during the winter months, one of the Airborne Museum’s dioramas undergoes a thorough servicing. This year it was the turn of the 75-mm Pack Howitzer diorama. During the Second World War the British introduced a number of modifications to this, by origin, American high- trajectory artillery piece. These included an adjustable fixing between the underside of the barrel and the gun axle plus alterations to the towing bracket. These modifications were not to be found on ‘our’ gun because it only arrived from America in 1993, therefore it was not used by the British in the Battle. These changes have now been added to the museum gun with the assistance of Mr Van Vugt from Soest, known from the annual demonstrations with a 75-mm howitzer.
The uniforms were removed from the various diorama figures during the maintenance service, resulting in two remarkable finds. After being cleaned one of the parachutist’s helmets showed a red-green coloured emblem on the side. This indicated that it had belonged to a soldier from tire Pioneer Corps. However, no unit from this corps served with the 1st British Airborne Division. Unfortunately it is no longer possible to trace how and when this helmet came into the museum’s possession.
One of the gas mask cases had also a small identification plate with the same name written on the inside. The gas mask case belonged to Private Frederick William Ment Peacock, No. 4805802, 17 Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion The Border Regiment. Private Peacock was taken prisoner by the Germans on 25 September 1944. He is shown in the photograph on page 99 of the book ‘When Dragons Flew’, which describes the history of this Border battalion. The case has been in the museum’s possession for more than 30 years, but the name was never really looked at. Only now, through the recording in detail of all the material by Roland Boekhorst of the maintenance staff, has the identity of the original owner become known.

Gift
Frank Steer, author of the book ‘Arnhem, The fight to sustain’ – published two years ago – has presented some of the profits from this publication to the Airborne Museum. The total amount is € 1590. It goes without saying that the Airborne Museum Foundation is absolutely delighted with this wonderfully generous gift.

Tiles in the refreshments room
In the past, a number of old Delft Blue tiles had been fixed to the wall of a former storage cupboard on the first floor of the Airborne Museum used by the Friends’ Society. These tiles were removed recently with great care by Henk van de Brand and Chris van Roekel, following consultations with the Renkum council (the owners of Huize ‘Hartenstein’) and with the Tile Museum in Otterlo. After a clean up they were fitted behind the hearth in the museum’s refreshment room. This job was carried out by Bas Sanders from the Zegers’ Tiling Company in Arnhem. The costs for the work were met by the Society of Friends.

Obituary: Richard Bingley
On 26 April 2002 we received the sad news that Richard Bingley, former platoon commander of S Company, 1st Parachute Battalion, had died. With Captain Dick’s passing we lose one of the most colourful of Airborne soldiers. He wrote about his experiences in Ministory IX.
Dick had already completed his parachute training by October 1940 and joined the 1st Parachute Battalion via No. 2 Commando and 11th. SAS. He was involved in all that unit’s actions, during which he was wounded four times. He lost no less than 14 men of his platoon at Arnhem, something he was never able to forget.
After being seriously wounded again in the Korean war, a wound that cost him his left eye, he worked hard and continuously for the benefit of wounded ex-servicemen, including in the BLESMA Foundation (British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association). He was always a valued guest of society members Jan and Marian Fogtelo from Wageningen, was among the first to present his impressive set of medals to the museum, and was our first non-Dutch life-member.
We remember him in friendship and with respect. (Chris van Roekel)

Steel Masters No. 11
The French language magazine ‘Steel Masters’, that features tanks and military models, is the publisher of a so-called ‘Hors-serie’. Issue number 6 was entitled ‘Operation Market Garden’, part 1′. Number 11 appeared recently, ‘Operation Market Garden’, part 2. The magazine first shows a number of good photographs of Arnhem (mentioning sources). Then comes an explanation of how to make models of the various vehicles. The text is in French with only the photo captions being in English and French. There are a fair few mistakes in the captions. One need not expect new photographs or viewpoints. Nevertheless, it is quite a nice magazine for the enthusiast and the price is very reasonable.
Steel Masters, Hors-serie No. 6 ‘Operation Market Garden’, tome 1 and Hors-serie No. 11 ‘Operation Market Garden’, tome 2, can be ordered from: Histoire & Collections, 5 Avenue de la Republique, 75541 Paris Cedex 11, France. Tel. 00 31 140 21 18 20, e-mail: vpc@histcoll.com. price per copy € 10,52 + € 3,98 p&p. Payment can be made by credit card. (Wybo Boersma)

Battle of Arnhem question box on the Internet
Anyone with questions concerning ‘Operation Market Garden’, and in particular about the Battle of Arnhem, can now put his/her question(s) to the ‘Arnhem, The Online Forum’ on the Internet. It is possible that other interested parties can provide answers to such questions.
In order to reach as many people as possible the forum’s English is the language of choice, but questions in Dutch or German are just as welcome. The forum can be found on the Internet at http://I16.parsimony.net/forum28518/ or via the web page of the Arnhem Battle Research Group, http://back.to/arnhem or www.arnhembattle.com

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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. 84, December 2001
Translated by Cathrien and Peter Clark
Representative in Great Britain: Niall Cherry, 3 Church Road, Warton, Lancs, PR4 1BD Tel. home 0177-2632764

23 September 2001. Following the September 1’1 attacks in the United States, the children who laid flowers on the graves in the Airborne Cemetery had made small flags bearing either the word ‘Vrede’ or ‘Peace’. After the memorial service the children gave the flags to the veterans.
(Photo: Berry de Reus)

From the Editors
This Newsletter comes to you a little later than usual, the reason being that the bank did not permit distribution of the Giro subscription payment slips that always accompany the autumn issue, until 1 December. And that was due to the forthcoming introduction of the euro. The treasurer will explain more below.
The newsletter is again a double issue so that extra articles and photos could be included.
As in previous years, the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem was attended by a huge number of people. Besides the usual programme there were a number of informal get-togethers: reports later in the newsletter. The September the 11 th atrocities in the United States made an indelible impression on this year’s commemoration, as can be seen from the above photograph.
For the last few months we have had to get by without our chairman and co-editor, Chris van Roekel. Chris was admitted to hospital with serious heart trouble. He underwent a complex operation, which fortunately he came through very well, and there now follows a, probably lengthy, rehabilitation period. Because of the decline in his health Chris has decided to resign his chairmanship at the AGM early next year. He intends taking things a bit easier but will remain available for a number of activities within the Society. We shall return to this subject in the AGM report in the next Newsletter.

Royal visit
On Wednesday 19 September Crown Prince Willem- Alexander and his bride-to-be, Maxima Zorreguieta, visited the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ in Oosterbeek. This formed part of their Official Visit to the province of Gelderland.
After first visiting Arnhem and Zevenaar, the engaged couple arrived at the Airborne Museum at a quarter past four, greeted by a welcoming crowd of several hundred people. Following an aubade performed by five choirs from the municipality of Renkum, the couple entered the building. The Aidermen and the trustees of the Airborne Museum Foundation were introduced, and this was followed by a word of welcome from Mr Verlinden in his dual capacity as burgomaster of Renkum and chairman of the Foundation board. Museum director Mr Boersma then gave a short explanation of the Battle of Arnhem. He also explained the way in which the museum, together with the Society of Friends, endeavours to keep alive the memory of this Battle. Prince Willem-Alexander mentioned that he had visited the Hartenstein once before, during his school days.
On behalf of the Foundation board the chairman presented a copy of Martin Middlebrook’s 1994 book ‘Arnhem 1944, The Airborne Battle’. Because of the limited time allowed for the visit only a part of the museum could be viewed, that chosen being the diorama section where Mr Groeneweg provided explanation. Meanwhile four veterans, including Ted Shaw, SFAM’s former representative in the UK, and a number of children had arrived in the Hartenstein’s Great Hall. HRH Prince Willem-Alexander and Maxima spent some time talking to them there. As an end to the visit the couple, accompanied by the veterans and the children, appeared on the museum terrace, giving the gathering crowd and press the chance to take photographs. This was immediately followed by a farewell reception at the Kleyn Hartensteyn restaurant, which the Foundation board’s chairman, vice-chairman and Gerrit Pijpers (visit co-ordinator) also attended.
The Airborne Museum can be justifiably proud to have been chosen to welcome the princely couple. The visit received copious media attention and photos of this exceptional afternoon can also be found on the Hartenstein website, www.airbornemuseum.com
(W. Boersma)

Wednesday 19 September 2001. Willem-Alexander and Maxima arrive al Hie Airborne Museum.
(Photo: Berry de Reus)

Medals
Shortly before and during the commemorations in September, the Airborne Museum was again the recipient of various sets of medals, belonging originally to the following veterans:
Corporal J. Arkinson, lsl Battalion The Border Regiment;
Private Harry Boardman, 156 Parachute Battalion;
Private Norman Burrell, lsl (Airborne) Division Workshop, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers; Driver Ronald A. Clancy, Air Despatches
63 Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corsp; Fred Mason, Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve); Johannes Penseel, Home Forces;
Private Fred Tracey, 156 Parachute Battalion.
The sets were placed in the medal display cabinet by Mr Duyts. One of the museum’s volunteers, Mr Dirk Knoop, has begun compiling a documentation file containing all details of veterans whose medal sets are displayed in the museum.

From the Treasurer
Normally, a Giro payment slip for next year’s subscription payment is enclosed with the November Newsletter. Up till now this has been in guilders. The payment slip that you receive this time is exclusively for payment in euros, and the Post Office Bank would not allow distribution of this slip before 1 December: no Giro slips in euros would be processed before that date. We therefore decided to delay issue of the Newsletter until after 1 December. Further explanation is given in the appendix to the Giro slip.
(Frits Miedema)

Plaque
On 20 September last a small plaque was unveiled near the ageing lime tree in front of the Old Church. The tree saved the life of Glider Pilot Mark Leaver in September 1944. Mark Leaver, who landed with his glider at Wolfheze on 18 September 1944, subsequently fought in the Lower Village in Oosterbeek. At a certain point he was standing near the church with four other British soldiers when a German shell exploded nearby. Four of the group of five were killed instantaneously. Leaver survived the explosion because he was protected by the tree, and he has always regarded this as a miracle. He was very keen that this fact should be remembered by the placing of a small plaque.
Sadly, Mark Leaver passed away in October last year, but thanks to the efforts of the Visser family from Zelhem, with whom he stayed each year, his last wish has finally been realised. Following consultation with the custodians of the Reformed Church the placement of a small plaque next to the lime tree was permitted. It was unveiled by Mark’s widow, Mrs Muriel Leaver.
Over the years the hole in the tree caused by the shell in 1944 has assumed the shape of a heart.

Ashes of British veterans interred
A short service was held at the Airborne Cemetery on Friday 21 September during which the ashes of two recently deceased veterans – Sergeant Harry ‘Jack’ Spykes (IO111 Parachute Battalion) and William Avery (2nd Parachute Battalion) – were interred. Together with their families the widows of the veterans brought the urns containing the ashes from England to Oosterbeek. In addition to the family members a large number of veterans and others attended the short ceremony, which was led by The Reverend R.A.W. Boyce.

Captivating lecture by Stuart Eastwood
On the Sunday afternoon of 7 October, 35 members of the SFAM gathered in the back room of the Schoonoord Restaurant in Oosterbeek to listen to a lecture by Stuart Eastwood on the history of the 1st Battalion The Border Regiment. The speaker told a clear and extremely informative story, illustrated with a series of interesting slides.
At the end Mr Eastwood invited questions, of which there were many. Long after the lecture was over many of those present stayed behind discussing the subject.
From the enthusiastic reactions of the audience it would seem that the initiative for holding such ‘mid-term’ lectures has fallen on fertile soil. Perhaps we shall organise more of these specialised talks in the future on subjects connected directly or indirectly with the Battle of Arnhem. One can think of all manner of less well-known aspects of Operation Market Garden; of the history of the various British Airborne units and the Polish Brigade, the Royal Air Force, and of the role of certain German units. One can also imagine more technical subjects, such as weapon systems.
Any member wishing to give a similar lecture on a specialised topic before a limited audience is welcome to contact Eugene Wijnhoud, Bernhardlaan 41-1, 6824 LE Arnhem; telephone 026 3513100, e-mail e.wijnhoud@12move.nl.

Oosterbeek, the Schoonoord restaurant, 7 October 200’1. Stuart Eastwood receives a bottle of Airborne beer from Eugene Wijnhoud as a ‘thank you’ for his interesting lecture on the history of the 1st Battalion The Border Regiment.
(Photo: Wybo Boersma)
(Robert Voskuil)

Members evenings
On Fridays 11 January and 22 March 2002, the Airborne Museum will be organising evenings for members of the Society of Friends. If possible the archive and depot will be open during these evenings.
The aim is to allow members to meet one another and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Extra tables can be provided on request on which members can lay out documents and/or material that may be of interest to others.
The ‘evenings’ will begin at 19.00 hours.
(Wybo Boersma)

New information boards
During walking holidays in England I couldn’t help noticing how well the routes were indicated. Furthermore, in many places excellent information boards were provided. Over the years, during various British Battlefield Trust conferences, I have seen how battlefields can be signposted. It had long been a cherished wish of mine to improve the battleground indications and the information provided along the walking routes in Oosterbeek that have to do with the Battle of Arnhem.
Years ago the Society of Friends set out two walks indicated by small marker posts. A simple folder was available containing information about the events in September 1944 and a small map. The project was later taken over by the local tourist board.
Some years ago Renkum council appointed a person to deal with tourism policy, Pieter W. Zwaan. Among other things he took a close look at the walking routes in the municipality. There were more than forty. Around the Hartenstein alone there were at least five different routes, each overlapping the other in places. Revision of all these routes provided a good opportunity to realise the need for better information.
The various walks in Oosterbeek relating to the Battle of Arnhem have now been reduced to one ‘Perimeter Route’, indicated with uniform signposting. A clear information board at the Airborne Museum gives an overview of this and other walks in the vicinity. A total of eight information boards have been placed along the route, each with a photograph of the local situation as it was in 1944 and explanatory text in Dutch and English.
The boards are located at the following places: the Airborne Museum, the REME bench and tennis court behind Hartenstein, the Border Regiment mortar pit at Van Lennepweg, the hill at Benedendorpsweg with the view over the Rhine, along Kerkpad by the flood plains, at De Tafelberg and at the Schoonoord restaurant.
A board has been in place at the Old Church in the Lower Village for some years.
The texts were prepared and translated by museum staff and the boards were designed and manufactured by a professional body. Final checking of the texts was done by Geert Maassen, and Renkum council met all costs. The entire project, which was led by Mr Zwaan in close co-operation with Renkum council, the Airborne Museum and the Friends’ Society, was brought to a successful conclusion. The next project to be tackled is an improved Airborne Cycle Route.
(Wybo Boersma)

Successful theme afternoon
The theme afternoon announced in the previous Newsletter took place on Saturday 3 November. It was held in the hall of the ‘Overdal’ care home in Oosterbeek due to double booking of the large hall at Zalencentrum ‘Lebret’.
Before the break Patrick Pronk, using slides and overhead sheets, gave an overview of the part played by the 9″’ (Airborne) Field Company, Royal Engineers during the Battle of Arnhem. Patrick dealt with the subject in a brisk tempo before answering questions from the floor.
After the break the BBC documentary on Operation Market Garden from the series ‘Battlefields of the Second World War’ was shown. The documentary was compiled last year by Professor Richard Holmes.

On 3 November Patrick Pronk gave a lecture on the 9lh (Airborne) Field Company Royal Engineers in ‘Overdal’ care home, Oosterbeek.
(Photo: Berry de Reus)

Normandy Excursion 2002
For those interested, the Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ is organising an excursion to Normandy that will run from 29 May to 2 June 2002 inc. It will be led by Society member Jacques Haegens.
The programme will be virtually identical to that of the excursion organised by the Friends’ Society in 1998. Places visited will include Arromanches, the coastal battery at Longues-sur-Mer, the American Cemetery at St. Laurent, Omaha Beach, Point du Hoc, Utah Beach, St. Mere Eglise,
La Fiere, the German Cemetery at La Cambe, Pegasus Bridge, Ranville, the coastal battery at Merville, the Sword, Juno and Gold invasion beaches, the monument to Field Marshal Montgomery, Luc-sur-Mer, Courseulles, the invasion museum at Bayeux, Tourville, Cote 112, Falaise, St. Lambert-sur-Dives, Moissey, Corridor of death and Mont Ormel.
The tour costs 387 euros per person, which cover the five-day bus journey including excursions, four nights’ accommodation in the Campanile Hotel, Bayeux in double rooms (two people sharing) based on half-board (two lunch packets included), admission charges to four museums and a comprehensive documentation folder. The surcharge for a single room is 80 euro. Travel and cancellation insurance need to be arranged by the participants themselves.
Profits from this excursion will go towards the furnishing of the new ‘Frost Room’ in the Airborne Museum in which the Rhine Bridge in Arnhem will form the focal point.
For information and bookings contact the Airborne Museum, Utrechtseweg 232, 6862 AZ Oosterbeek: telephone 026 3337710, fax 026 3391785, e-mail info@airbomemuseum.com. A booking form will then be sent to you. Conditions of payment: 87 euro on application, 300 euro before 1 April.
(Wybo Boersma)

Video: The Animated Military History Series, “Arnhem”
A new video about Arnhem has been released by Cromwell productions in the ‘Line of Fire’ series. The ‘Arnhem’ episode was recently shown on the British History Channel, and it is now available on video. Among those who worked on the production are the well-known Colonel Robert Kershaw (author of the book ‘It Never Snows in September’), Lloyd Clark, lecturer at Sandhurst Military Academy, and staff from the Airborne Forces Museum in Aidershot. Aad Groeneweg provided support from the ‘Hartenstein’ museum.
Despite this august body of experts, the video is somewhat strangely put together. The majority of the film has nothing to do with Arnhem, probably because it was too expensive to incorporate more original scenes. There is even a clip of a Norwegian commando taken on Walcheren in November 1944! A number of animations are included in the video and these too have little to do with Arnhem. Many scenes are often repeated; for example, the WS 22 radio transmitter in the museum in Aidershot is shown three times. Furthermore, the story does not always match historical fact.
All in all a shame, and a missed opportunity for this new production. Sadly, the previously produced videos ‘Theirs is the Glory’, ‘A Bridge Too Far’ and ‘Arnhem 1944′ are no longer available, so we just have to make do with this documentary. Seeing what it offers, the video is quite pricey. The film is in English, is not sub-titled and, for the time being, is on sale at the Airborne Museum.
The Animated Military History Series “Arnhem”, released by Cromwell Productions, England. Duration, 50 minutes, in English (not sub-titled). Price 55 guilders.
(Wybo Boersma)

Commemorative envelope
On September 17 2001 the Airborne Museum Hartenstein’ issued the latest in its series of commemorative envelopes, this being the sixth in the series featuring ‘Monuments of the Battle of Arnhem . The envelope shows the monument to the British and Canadian Engineers who carried out the successful evacuation of the remnants of the 1st British Airborne Division during the night of 25/26 September 1944.
The monument is located on the south bank of the Rhine on the Drielse Dijk, opposite the Old Church in Oosterbeek, and was unveiled on 15 September 1989. It was designed by Society member H. van der Brand from Arnhem.
When it became clear that the bridgehead at Oosterbeek could not be held, the British high command decided on 25 September 1944 to evacuate what remained of the T‘ British Airborne Division. More than 2000 survivors gathered on the river flood plains under cover of darkness. That night, British 260 and 553 Field Companies Royal Engineers equipped with rowing boats, and 20 and 23 Field Companies Royal Canadian Engineers in boats with outboard engines, ferried 2398 servicemen back across the Rhine. All the wounded, most of the medical personnel and the clerics remained behind and were taken prisoner.
Nine engineers lost their lives during the operation. The monument on the Rijndijk commemorates the efforts of all engineers involved.
The issue of this envelope is connected with the ‘Airborne Engineers, the Engineers during the Battle of Arnhem’ exhibition that was held in the Airborne Museum this year.
Five hundred numbered envelopes were produced and they were franked with the Oosterbeek post office branch stamp on 17 September 2001.
As tradition demands, envelope number 001 was presented to the leader of the Pilgrimage, Mr Jasper Booty.
The commemorative envelopes are on sale at the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek at 7 guilders each.
If you wish to complete your series, a limited number of envelopes from previous years are still obtainable at the museum. You can also visit our website: www.airbornemuseum.com.

Obituary: Dave Morris
We have been informed by the Controller of the Airborne Forces Security Fund that Dave Morris passed away on 24 October 2001.
In September 1944 David Morris was Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant in HQ Company, 11″’ Parachute Battalion. He landed at Ginkel Heath on the second day of the Battle of Arnhem and arrived in Oosterbeek with a few other soldiers during the evening of 18 September. They spent the night there in the Hartenstein.
Next morning they were sent via Utrechtseweg to Arnhem where they became engaged in heavy fighting in the vicinity of Oranjestraat. Dave and a number of other men managed to advance along Utrechtseweg and Bovenover to beyond Arnhem station, but the German superiority in numbers forced them back to the Rijnhotel via Rijnstraat and Onderlangs. They then continued their withdrawal to Oosterbeek.
Next day, among other tasks, Dave helped with the transport of wounded to the emergency hospitals in Vreewijk, Schoonoord and de Tafelberg.
On 21 September he was ordered to go to Benedendorp. There, together with other soldiers, he defended the house ‘Vredehof’ until 24 September. The house was the home of the De Soet-Hupkes family and stood at the corner of Weverstraat and Fangmanweg.
In 1945 Mr Frans de Soet recorded his experiences in the story ‘The last days of the house Vredehof’ that was published in the book ‘Not in Vain’ (Arnhem 1946). David is mentioned a number of times in the book.
After Dave Morris was taken prisoner on 24 September, along with his mates Pte Jimmy Kerr and L/Cpl Harold Cook (both from the 11th Parachute Battalion), they were marched off along Weverstraat, De Dam and Fangmanweg. As they walked with their hands up along Weverstraat, before turning right into De Dam, they were photographed by a German war photographer. This picture appeared in several publications, thereby becoming very well known.

At the point where the men had crossed De Dam and turned left into Fangmanweg, the group was filmed by a German film cameraman. Dave is recognisable in this film clip by his mop of black hair without beret. Near the small white house, the home of the Esmeijer family, he turns around briefly and then continues walking on.
Another, less well known, German photo of Dave Morris exists that was taken while he was being questioned near the entrance to an unidentified house, with a few arrogantly laughing Germans looking on.
After the war Dave returned regularly to Oosterbeek, staying mostly with the De Soet-Hupkes family with whom he had forged close links in September 1944. In 1989 he assisted in the making of Joop Bal’s video documentary ‘Blijvend in Herinnering’, in which he retraced part of the route he took on 24 September 1944, only this time under peaceful circumstances. For years David was chairman of the Arnhem 1944 Veterans Club. He spent his final years in Chelsea Hospital, London. David was a sympathetic, modest man and he will be greatly missed.
(Robert Voskuil)

Major & Mrs Holt’s Battlefield Guide
On Wednesday 12 September the new Holt’s Battlefield Guide to Operation Market Garden was presented in the Airborne Museum.
Major & Mrs Holt will not be strangers to most readers. Their excellent Battlefield Guide to Normandy has been used for many years by scores of visitors to that area. A similar format guide to the Operation Market Garden area has now been published.
The name Holt is synonymous with good work. After years of leading the battlefield tours themselves, during which time they were always very welcome guests at the museum, the Holts now concentrate more on writing guides. As well as the Normandy guide they have written guides to the WW I battlefields at Ypres and the Somme. In general, the layout of all the books is similar.

12 September 2001. Major and Mrs Holt pose hi front of the Airborne Museum with their new Operation Market Carden guide.
(Photo: Berry de Reus)

The ‘Operation Market Garden’ Battlefield Guide first gives an historic overview followed by an explanation of how the visitor, principally from England, can get to Leopoldsburg in Belgium, where the tour begins. Then, in five consecutive chapters, tours are described in the Leopoldsburg to Eindhoven region, from Eindhoven to Nijmegen, the surroundings of Groesbeek, the area of Nijmegen and the Betuwe, and finally, the battlefields at Arnhem, Oosterbeek and Driel. The individual tour sections can be undertaken separately, but they do connect with one another. However, anyone wishing to take in the entire tour in one go would need to set aside several days.
Each chapter contains a route description showing the locations of monuments, cemeteries, museums and other important sites. The text is interspersed with the recollections of veterans. There is also much useful information for the tourist, such as addresses of hotels, good restaurants and places of special interest in the close vicinity. More than two hundred colour photos give the visitor a good idea of what to expect in the region. No less than 300 monuments are described, and an accompanying map pinpoints all important locations.

The battlefield guide took two years to complete, during which time the Holts received a lot of help from people who are well-informed on local events. The final result is a guide that will certainly find its way to a wide group of users.
The well-known Pitkins guide is suitable for a short visit where one only requires simple information, while Colonel Waddy’s battlefield guide is intended for the more military-orientated visitor. However, the Holt’s guide is written for the true ‘battlefield tourist’, an ever-growing band of visitors. On page 38 the Holts state how they interpret the term ‘battlefield tourist’.
Now that the number of veterans is rapidly diminishing, ‘battlefield tourism’ will have to make a major contribution to keeping the memory of the Battle of Arnhem alive. This book, written by people who know their subject, has therefore appeared at exactly the right moment.
The Holt’s Battlefield Guide is for sale at the Airborne Museum.
Major & Mrs Holt’s Battlefield Guide, Operation Market-Garden-Leopoldsburg-Eindhoven- Nijmegen-Arnhem-Oosterbeek; Leo Cooper, Pen & Sword Books Ltd., 2001; ISBN 0 85052 785-6; 288 pages; illustrated; in English; price 55 guilders inc. map; loose maps 15 guilders.
(Wybo Boersma)

Urgent request
In one of the previous Newsletters we referred to the rules applying to the sale of articles during SFAM theme days and excursions. It would appear that some lack of clarity still exists, therefore this summary of the regulations.
Anyone wishing to sell books or other items, or to advertise the same, at a theme afternoon, AGM or excursion, is kindly requested to seek permission to do this well in advance of the function concerned. Requests by letter or e-mail can be made to Eugene Wijnhoud, Bernhardlaan 41-1,6824 LE Arnhem: tel. 026 3513100, e-mail e.wijnhoud@12move.nl.
(Eugene Wijnhoud)

‘De Zwarte Omroep’ and the Airborne
Even during the Battle of Arnhem, copies of the illegal Oosterbeek news-sheet ‘De Zwarte Omroep’ (chief editor and publisher H.W. Alferink, teacher) were being printed and distributed. It is not clear how many editions were produced, but according to the editor they were still being printed up until 19 September 1944.
He also reports (in the last paper to appear on 9 June 1945) that ‘the editions of the last two days did not reach the readers because delivery had become impossible and due to the fact that our Airborne troops were crazy about the ‘underground press’ and begged for, and were given, the lot!’
The whole issue probably amounted to ‘just’ 20 copies, but, from the above, one can well imagine that numbers of ‘De Zwarte Omroep’ could possibly still be about within the circle of (families of) veterans. And perhaps there are still former British or Polish soldiers who have something to say on this. Or maybe they have already done so and their story is lying somewhere, patiently waiting for us!
If anyone should have any tips on this topic he/she is kindly asked to get in touch with Geert Maassen, Gemeentearchief Renkum, Postbus 9100,6860 HA Oosterbeek: tel. 026 3348303, e-mail gmaassen@renkum.nl.

Nijmegen Excursion, 6 October 2001. From the roof of the NLION building Marcel Anker points out the spot where the 3rd Battalion of the American 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment crossed the Waal on 20 September 1944.
(Photo: Eugene Wijnhoud)

Market Garden 2 excursion
On Saturday 20 April 2002 the Documentation Group ’40-’45 will be repeating the excursion held by the Society of Friends on 6 October. The area to be visited is that around Nijmegen, where the 82nd American Airborne Division fought in September 1944. Members of the Society of Friends who were unable to make the first trip now have another opportunity. Once again our guide will be Jacques Haegens.
The excursion starts at 09.30 hours from ‘s-Hertogenbosch railway station. Cars can be parked at the Transferium. Lunch, which is included in the excursion price, will be taken at Groesbeek. We shall arrive back in ‘s-Hertogenbosch at about 17.00 hours. The cost of the trip is € 30 (/ 66.11). Places will be allotted in the order of booking and one will only be notified if all seats are taken.
For more information contact W. Boersma, tel 0318 639633, e-mail w.boprsma@wx« nl (Wybo Boersma)

News from the Airborne Forces Museum
The curator of the Airborne Forces Museum in Aidershot has informed us of the new regulations regarding the charges for using photographs from their collection and for consulting the archive. At present the costs for reproducing and printing a photo are £ 10.50, and this applies to photos exclusively for personal use. If the picture is intended for use in a publication the cost per print is £ 60. The copyrights of the photos remain the property of the Airborne Forces Museum.
The charge for a non-commercial consultation of the museum archive is £ 15 per day. If the material is to be published this charge rises to £ 15 per hour.
The major reason for levying these charges is to generate income for keeping the archive and photo collection up to scratch. Charging a higher rate for material that is to be published is because income from publications using material from the Airborne Forces Museum archive rarely benefits ‘Aidershot’. One can contact the museum staff for more information.

Before the opening of the Dorset Terrace at De Westerbouwing on 20 September, veteran Walter Smith was brought across the Rhine by boat, as he was in September ‘1944.
(Photo: Berry de Reus)

Dorset Terrace
On Thursday 20 September the official opening of the new Dorset Terrace took place at De Westerbouwing near Oosterbeek. The terrace is named after the 4,h Battalion The Dorsetshire Regiment, which crossed the Rhine at the Driel ferry crossing point during the night of 24/25’September under heavy German fire. The aim was to help the isolated Airborne troops in Oosterbeek. Part of the battalion tried to take the German-occupied Westerbouwing hills, and suffered heavy losses in the attempt.
The Dorset Terrace was opened in the presence of Dorset veteran Lance Corporal Walter Smith from Ramsgate.

Remains of a fallen serviceman found at Driel
On Monday 4 September the remains of a soldier were uncovered during excavation work to the south east of Driel. Over the next ten years this 450-hectare area of land, that lies between the Arnhem-Nijmegen railway embankment and the village of Driel, will become the new Arnhem district of ‘De Schuytgraaf where approximately 6,500 houses are scheduled to be built.
Between September 1944 and the end of the war this part of the Over-Betuwe was in the front line. The Polish Parachute Brigade landed here on 21 September 1944, and there followed days of heavy fighting. The area was also under continuous Allied and German fire during the winter of 1944-1945.
The terrain is being systematically searched because it is still thought to conceal much explosive material. It was during this search that the remains were discovered. According to Adjutant F. Bolle of the Recovery and Identification Service of the Royal Netherlands Army the remains are probably those of a British soldier. A rapid start has been made on an investigation that could possibly lead to an identification.

Exhibition at Deelen
Hoenderloseweg 10 in Deelen has for years been the home of the ‘Deelen Airfield Museum’. It was set up by a group of enthusiastic members of the ‘Dutch Aircraft Examination Group’ Foundation.
At the moment the museum has four different exhibitions. Firstly, the history of Deelen airfield between 1910 and 1995 is shown. Then there is a large exhibition, ‘Recover and Preserve’, in which the focus is on the history of the air war over the Netherlands, 1939-1945. Exhibits include flying clothing, navigation material, aircraft weaponry and many remains of recovered aircraft wrecks.
All material in the ‘Gliderborne’ exhibition has been provided by Paul Hendriks from Wolfheze. Over the years Paul has built up a huge collection of documentation about and material from Horsa, Hamilcar and Waco gliders. The majority originates from the former landing zones at Wolfheze. It is fascinating to see what has been found of these gliders.’
A large selection of the photographs used in the ‘Green On’ exhibition about the history of the British Air Despatches held in the Airborne Museum in 2000 is now on show in Deelen.
The Deelen Airfield Museum (tel. 026 3531434) is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 to 17.00 hours. Thoroughly recommended!

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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. 82, May 2001
Translated by Cathrien and Peter Clark
Representative in Great Britain: Niall Cherry, 3 Church Road, Warton, Lancs, PR4 1BD Tel. home 0177-2632764

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apology
The previous Ministory carried the number 68, oddly enough the same as the edition before. Obviously something went badly wrong.
Alas, this is not the first time that such an error has occurred, but fear not. The culprit(s) will be severely dealt with!!
Would you please be so good as to alter the ‘second’ Ministory 68 to 69. You will see that the Ministory accompanying this Newsletter has the number 70. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience!
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