VVAM Newsletter 77 – 2000

FRIENDS OF THE AIRBORNE MUSEUM

Editors: Drs. R.P.G.A. Voskuil C. van Roekel G.H. Maassen jr.
Representative in Great Britain: Niall Cherry, 3 Church Road, Warton, Lancs, PR4 1BD Tel. home 0177-2632764
Newsletter No. 77, February 2000 Translated by Cathrien and Peter Clark

A word from the chairman
First of all, and especially with such a memorable start to the new millennium behind us, we, as board of management of the Friends’ Society, would like to wish you all much happiness, prosperity and good health for the future.
We also hope to be able to be of service to you with our many planned activities as well as having the privilege of meeting you regularly on excursions, at lectures and at meetings.
A new millennium has dawned, a beginning we all experienced, but no-one in their wildest fantasies can imagine how it will end! It calls for renewal and fresh ideas, also from us.
One of the changes being made is the organisation of a Society Day that will replace the annual meeting. The first such day will be held this year on Saturday 15 April. We propose combining the AGM with a lunch for all those attending, followed by an interesting excursion by touring coach. Potential participants in the whole day should advise the events commission of their intentions so that the ‘logistical’ side can be organised. Of course, one may simply attend the AGM, but not the other way round; i.e. you cannot have lunch and go on the coach tour if you haven’t attended the AGM (see the loose sheet accompanying this Newsletter).
Our society can take pleasure in its steady growth, and it is both remarkable and gratifying to see the increased interest from young people.
Every quarter, more than 1400 Newsletters (in both Dutch and English) are distributed in the Netherlands and abroad. This places great demands on the editors, our indispensable ‘packing team’ and management, particularly the treasurer, as well as on our UK representative Mr Ted Shaw MC.
The events commission has its hands full converting inventive ideas into realistic plans with perfect implementation as their conclusion. Our publications commission studies manuscripts and provides assistance on the long road travelled by the author and printer that can possibly lead to an addition to your bookshelf!
In short, our industry and enthusiasm continue to generate more members, and with them more work. The policy must therefore be one of attracting active and enthusiastic helpers with whom we can produce and maintain a structure so that the building of an increasingly self-renewing society remains an exciting challenge.
(C. van Roekel, chairman)

‘Over & Over’
On Friday 17 September 1999 a new booklet about the Battle of Arnhem entitled ‘Over & Over’ was presented in the Airborne Museum. It was compiled by one of our society’s youngest members, 13 year- old Peter Alexander van Teeseling from Oosterbeek.
The first copy was handed to the British military attache, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Lloyd, who expressed his admiration at the initiative shown by this young lad from Oosterbeek.

Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’ in Oosterbeek, 17 December 1999. Military attache to the British Embassy Lieutenant Colonel Simon Lloyd receives the first copy of the book ‘Over & Over’from the hands of its compiler, Peter Alexander van Teeseling.
(photo: B. de Reus)

Since the age of nine Peter Alexander has been interested in the fighting that took place in September 1944, and in recent years he has corresponded with various veterans, assembling all manner of eye-witness accounts. Ten of these recollections from ex-combatants have been brought together in this booklet. In addition, a number of general chapters have been included, such as ‘Oorlog en Bezetting’ (War and Occupation), ‘De Slag om Arnhem, een kort historisch overzicht’ (The Battle of Arnhem, a short historical resume) and ‘Evacuatie en Terugkeer’ (Evacuation and Return). Also included in the book is the story of Han Kardol from Oosterbeek, who himself experienced the battle as a boy of nine in September 1944.
The title ‘Over & Over’ refers to the fact that, since the end of World War II, many veterans have returned year after year to commemorate the Battle of Arnhem.
The booklet is illustrated with numerous lesser known photographs and comprises 95 pages. ‘Over & Over’ was produced by Lukas Rosing from Kontrast publishers in Oosterbeek. It is available from local bookshops and at the Airborne Museum, price 24 guilders 50. There are plans for an English translation.

Normandy excursion repeat?
The excursion to Normandy organised in April last year was heavily over-subscribed, which led to disappointment for a number of members. Responding to questions from the floor during the AGM and during the reunion on 26 November 1999, the management of the Friends’ Society said it would check to see if enough interest existed for a repeat excursion in the Spring of 2000. If it goes ahead, this will take place on Wednesday 10 May up to and including Sunday 14 May and will cost 850 guilders per person. There will be room for 48 participants, and Mr Jacques Haegens has again agreed to act as tour guide.
If you are interested in making the trip to Normandy, drop a line to this effect to society chairman Mr C. van Roekel, c/o Airborne Museum, Utrechtseweg 232, 6862 AZ, Oosterbeek. You will then receive a booking form plus additional information by return. But don’t wait too long before booking your seat, because the organisers need to have all the details to hand by mid-March at the latest so that the options regarding the bus and the Hotel Campanile in Bayeux (the same as used last April) can be considered.
Members who took part in the April excursion can also apply to go on the proposed May trip, but priority will be given to those members who were unable to make the previous tour.
For more information contact C. van Roekel on 026 3333261.

Questions from the floor, AGM 1999
As promised during the 1999 AGM, a number of points arising from the questions from the floor have been further discussed and/or implemented.
1. The state of maintenance of the Oosterbeek Airborne Monument opposite the museum (questioner P. Hoek).
The relevant Renkum council employee has been contacted as has the municipal Monument Commission. This has resulted in an annual maintenance plan. In 1999 the Monument was thoroughly cleaned and this year, at the very least, the pointing and the condition of the four small walls at the base of the monument will be checked.
2. A certificate of appreciation for those who have been of service to the Society of Friends (questioner P. Hoek).
Management is of the opinion that retiring board members and those who assist the society will be thanked in an appropriate manner as and when the situation arises. The form these ‘appreciations’ will take is under consideration.
3. Financial benefit from the society’s capital.
After a wide-ranging and thorough investigation by professional banking and financial experts within our society, it would seem that the limited interest benefit coupled with risky transactions involving the society’s money, do not outweigh the security and practical advantages of our existing money deposits. We have therefore decided to accept the recommendations regarding our Dutch accounts and to retain them as they are. At the moment the situation of our bank account in England is being looked at, partly in connection with the coming of the Euro.
(C. van Roekel)

A beautiful, recently fitted antique stove enhances the Airborne Museum’s refreshment room.
(photo: C. van Roekel)

Beautiful stove in refreshment room
In Newsletter no. 74 we reported on the renovation of the Airborne Museum’s refreshment room. The only thing missing from this beautifully restored room was a stove to fit in the fireplace under the splendid mantelpiece. But where do you get hold of a decent coal-burning stove dating from the beginning of the 20th century? It appeared that the 90 year-old Oosterbeek blacksmith Mr Johan Nijhuis, who at that time still worked daily in his smithy, had such a stove in his workshop attic, a stove originating from an Oosterbeek villa similar to Huize Hartenstein.
When Mr Nijhuis heard of our plans he placed the expertly renovated stove at our disposal without a moment’s hesitation.
It had arrived at the smithy quite by chance in the summer of 1944 and, after a thorough overhaul, was put away to await the winter of 1944-1945. There it miraculously survived the war and remained in the attic thereafter.
After our technical team had restored it once more to a pristine condition, and Mr Harry Benter had made a stylish, black marble base plate, this exceptional acquisition was placed in the museum’s refreshment room.
Shortly afterwards I had the pleasure of receiving Mr Nijhuis as a VIP guest in the museum so that he could admire the results of our labours.
In mid-November I paid him a visit in order to give him a photograph of his gift, but the smithy was closed. Johan Nijhuis, the old blacksmith, had passed away on 10 November.
(C. van Roekel)

From the Archives (2)
The beginning.
During his visit to Oosterbeek and Arnhem in 1992 as preparation to the writing of his book ‘Arnhem, The Airborne Battle’, Martin Middlebrook interviewed a number of Dutch eye-witnesses to the battle. With the assistance of the then Arnhem municipal archivist P.R.A. van Iddekinge, he was able to converse with Miss Wilhelmina Schouten, in 1944 deputy headmistress of the Domestic Science school on Rijnkade in Arnhem. She told, among other things, how, on the evening of 17 September 1944, British soldiers knocked on the door of the school and then brought in two wounded soldiers.
One of them died the next day and was ‘secretly’ buried in the back garden by Miss Schouten and other civilians.
I was present during this interview with Miss Schouten and couldn’t help asking if she recalled the name of the dead soldier. She replied: ‘Of course. He was called Maybury, and his mother visited me after the war’. Her son, Corporal Arthur Maybury (30) was a writer, and she gave Miss Schouten copies of two of his books, ‘Thrills with the Paratroops’ and ‘More Thrills with the Paratroops’, both written under the pseudonym ‘Pegasus’. (These books are now in the Arnhem Municipal Archives).
What happened before.
Years earlier, in 1985,1 sent Sir John Killick, former British Ambassador in Washington and Moscow, a photograph of himself taken in Weerdjesstraat in Arnhem on 18 September 1944 by photographer Sem Presser. At the time Presser was in hiding in the town and Killick was Commanding Officer of 89 Field Security Section (Intelligence Corps). In the letter that I received by return he wrote that he had never seen the photo before and – even more important – he said that on that Monday he was looking for his Corporal Maybury, who had gone missing near the ship bridge on Sunday evening. Not surprising that he never found him because Maybury lay dying, or was already dead and buried, 50 metres to the south of Weerdjesstraat. I brought Sir John Killick up to date with the facts in 1992, but I never received a reply. He died last year.
In conclusion.
According to the Roll of Honour Cpl. Maybury’s field grave was found in 1945 ‘in the garden of a bungalow on Utrechtseweg, Oosterbeek’. This probably refers to the garden of the Berghege family, where the ABN-AMRO bank now stands.
Question/riddle. …….
Why would people from Arnhem or Oosterbeek exhume the remains of a British soldier originally buried in a garden on Rijnkade and re-bury them in a garden in Oosterbeek?
A photo-copy of Miss Schouten’s complete diary is available in the archives and can be read in the museum by arrangement.
(A. Groeneweg)

Farewell Parade video
Video producer MFTM from Maastricht have marketed a one hour video of the Farewell Parade that took place on 19 September 1999. The filmed report begins with a brief impression of the previous day’s parachute drop on Ginkel Heath. The major part of the tape concentrates on the tour through all the villages in the Renkum municipality by more than a hundred Second World War military vehicles. Many veterans made the trip in these historic vehicles. The film has no commentary but does include background sounds that occurred during filming.
Those interested can order the video by ringing 043 3433778. The cost is 40 guilders incl. p&p.
The following films are also available: ‘Arnhem 1994’ (60 minutes), ‘Herdenking Market Garden 1989 en 1994’ (90 minutes) and ‘Normandie herdenkingen 1989,1994 en 1999’ (90 minutes).

Appeal
Together with Wybo Boersma I am gathering material for a publication about the British signals units during the Battle of Arnhem. Wybo will be dealing with the technical aspects and I will provide the storylines.
Anyone with information and/or documents about the Royal Corps of Signals in September 1944 who would like to help with this publication is kindly requested to contact Wybo Boersma (Airborne Museum) or the Arnhem Battle Research Group, c/o Margrietstraat 40, 6991 XH, Rheden.
(Philip Reinders) from 10 am till 4 pm. The dismantling and re¬assembly of a 75 mm Pack Howitzer will also be demonstrated during the Fair.
The subject of the annual exhibition is De histone van de Air Despatch voor, tijdens en na de Slag om Arnhem’ (The history of Air Despatch before, during and after the Battle of Arnhem). The exhibition will run from 20 April until 5 November.
The Airborne Museum is organising battlefield tours of the former battle areas to be held on Saturday 10 June and Saturday 9 September. Anyone may take part, the cost being 55 guilders per person (47 guilders 50 for Friends’ Society members).
(W. Boersma)

Restoration of Clarkair bulldozer
Last December, a group of volunteers led by Mr Jaap Jansen began restoring the Clarkair bulldozer, bought last year by the museum with help from the Society of Friends. After first removing all the plating and disconnecting the wiring, the caterpillar tracks could be dismantled. The engine, gearbox and transmission were then removed. Finally, all that was left was a huge heap of loose components. They will be shot-blasted and then sprayed. Luckily the correct colour green was evident here and there on a number of parts. Eventually the bulldozer will be reassembled in the museum.
The museum has had contact via the Internet with a number of collectors in America who are also restoring Clarkair bulldozers. Hopefully, any missing parts can be obtained through them. Volunteers willing to help with the bulldozer restoration should contact Mr Jaap Jansen at the Airborne Museum. The bulldozer will only be worked on during the day.
(W. Boersma)

Jaap Jansen busy removing the engine of the Clarkair bulldozer.
(photo: W. Boersma)

Events organised by the Airborne Museum
This year the Airborne Museum’s annual Book Fair will be held on Saturday 27 May and will be open

Evader in Mariendaal
Last September the book ‘Jood zonder step (Jew without a star), written by Albert Heymans, appeared in the book stores.
The author, born in 1922, tells how he continually succeeded in avoiding the roundup of Jews during the German occupation. He did not wear a Jewish star and, through his powerful personality and inventiveness, always managed to produce an alibi when faced with dangerous situations, an ability that led to his eventual survival.
From the summer of 1943, following a razzia and a short period in hiding, he spent months wandering through the woods and fields around Arnhem. Then, under the assumed name of Gerrit Kapel, he found work as a farm-labourer on a farm on Amsterdamseweg at the edge of Mariendaal. There he remained until the end of the war.
While the Battle of Arnhem was raging, among the things he saw from his vantage point was the enormous quantity of supplies that were dropped behind the German lines by British aircraft. He also helped with the burial of dead servicemen.
After the battle he did all sorts of odd jobs for the Red Cross in the evacuated town of Arnhem. He describes life in and around the virtually empty town in a penetrating style.
Arnhem was liberated in April 1945, and after remaining there for a little longer he applied himself to helping Dutch Jews emigrate to Israel. Early in 1950 he himself emigrated to that country.
‘Jood zonder ster’ (ISBN 90-75879-04-0) is published by Van Gruting publishers of Westervoort. It is available from bookshops and costs 29 guilders 90.

Correction
In the previous Newsletter we made an error in the report on the finding of a radio set at Hemelse Berg It was not the late Ed van den Dam who told us of the location of the set but our own member Ed van Dam, fortunately still alive and kicking. It was he who put us on the track of this remarkable-find via information from Captain Lee.
(W. Boersma)

Download nieuwsbrief