Trying to identify

[51highland]

This photograph was taken at the "fusilladeplaats" or "Killing Place" in Vught Holland, circa late 1944, early 1945 and is thought to be the first commemoration service held there for the victims who were executed there by SS guards from Kamp Vught. The silent ceremony still takes place every May 4th.
Am trying to help a Dutch historian identify the foreground soldiers regiments. The background soldiers appear to be possibly American or Dutch? Have tried to enhance the photo, but it is difficult without being able to scan the original.

any help or suggestions welcome.

[51highland]

picture Killing Place Received the following in a e-mail from friends in Holland, seems that Historians do not really like some answers they get.Apparently Toon Haverkamp recognised himself in the photo.



Toon Haverkamp, was a sergeant in the Dutch Stoottroepen and says that on the photo are the 3d battalion of the Stoottroepen (commando Brabant), who were based in the Lunetten Baracks close to the Fusilladeplaats (former officers buildings of the Concentration Camp). He says he was the first sergeant on the bottom of the picture. The ceremony was a commemoration of the dead, held just before the soldiers left for the Dutch Indies on the 20th September 1945.
The Stoottroepen, commando Brabant, were assigned to the 1st Canadian Army and the soldiers were wearing Canadian helmets. When they arrived in England they received an English outfit.

(There were also Stoottroepen, commando Limburg, who were assigned to the 9th American Army and were wearing American helmets. They are not on the picture, I guess).
After the war the task of the Stoottroepen was guarding the Dutch SS’ers in the Internation Camp in Vught (in the former Concentration Camp).

When I had found out about the photo I had my friend here (the friend of the friend) and I had invited Martien van Griensven as well. Martien van Griensven was not easy to convince. It was kind of an embarrassing afternoon. You might think that when someone says he is on the photo, he will know what he is talking about, wouldn’t you?

[Paul Reed]

The scans not clear enough to read the titles, unfortunately. Odd there is no Army, Corps or Divisional flash being worn.