And this Saturday a wall of balloons will be build at the Benedendorpseweg near "De Hemelseberg" in Oosterbeek. The wall will consist of 1756 with helium filled balloons representing the number of burried soldiers on the Airborne Cemetery. The wall will block the view on the Rhine at that point and the balloons will be released into the Air one by one whilst the Airborne March is ongoing. Lest we forget...... Ron....
I just met the lovely Lady/Artist responsible for the Wall of Balloons and she will sent me pictures for my site as its hard to get there whilst the March is ungoing. The weather will be very good and 25000 walkers are expected to walk the Airborne March. The Ballloons will be released by the walkers so I expect they will all be in the Air before noon. Oh Yeah, and her name is Marieke Vromans Ron....
Had a cracking time again this year which was my 5th. Fantastic day, super weather, brilliant atmosphere. Finally got home to Northern Ireland this evening and will be putting the feet up for a while!! FANTASTIC
Yes, it was great, an amazing number of 32,000 walkers due to the fine weather. Lots of Brits, they also laid a wreath on behalve of a Regiment at the 10th Battalion Battlefield Marker, not sure what regiment it was, I think there stood RHA on the shoulder title or something like that? Airborne March Oosterbeek 2010 Ron...
Hi All, Will be over in Arnhem this week so it will be quiet on my front.. Look forward to meeting some new friends from here and seeing who really is an Airborne Nutter Cheers Tom PS Be safe all
Dann,the second photo,any idea what the plaque says,as I,m not familiar with the story of the post office.Alan.
Hi Alan, I can't read what it says on the plaque either (mainly cos I can't speak Dutch! ) but at Brummen on or about the 23rd September 1944 six British POW's were murdered by the Germans. Amongst them was the journalist Anthony Cotterell. Major Hibbert's link to this is that Cotterell was wounded when Hibbert jumped from a lorry carrying British POW's and a German soldier opened fire into the truck. If you'd like more info try these links: Major Tony Hibbert Anthony Cotterell - Chronology All the best..............
Dann,the second photo,any idea what the plaque says,as I,m not familiar with the story of the post office.Alan. Indeed I can, it says: To commemorate: At this point on 23 september 1944 POW soldiers of the First British Airborne Division were shot. S. Allen private (age 20) J.A. Cotterell, major (age 27) G. E. McCracken private (age 29) T.V.P. McNabb lieutenant (age 22) K.S. Mills lieutenant (age 21) H.A. Platt captain (age 30) Brummen was liberated on 15 april 1945 Exactly 50 years after this date this plaque was revealed In addition to Paul's reply, 2 officers jumped of the board of the truck, Major Hibbert to the left, the other being Dennis Mumford jumped to the right, but he was recaptured soon after his jump. Indeed there's more info about this in the link he posted. Little detail: the woman next to major Hibbert in the first post is Mrs. Van Eck. When Hibbert was busy planning Pegasus 1 in his hide-out in Ede, she was the "2,5 year old blond, running around".
Pictures of the Annual Arnhem Veterans Club Meeting wich just ended. Arnhem Veterans Club Meeting Oosterbeek 2010 The Flags at the Hartenstein Museum will be at half mast tomorrow for Sir James Cleminson. Ron
As always at friday-evening there's a commemoration at de Berenkuil in Arnhem, on the foot of the Rhinebridge. After the ceremony the veterans march to the townhall or to the pub. Quess were I was .
Been thinking all day that it is the anniversary of the drop, 'The First Day' today. Would love to be there but not a snowball's chance - too busy. Keep up the news reports please! If anyone pops into the Hotel Old Dutch opposite Arnhem Station have a beer for me. Mike
Been to the Ginkelse Hei today to see the drop and more over watch the airshow. 25000 people were there, so not as crowded as last year or as expected.
Off tonight, back Monday regards to all lofty Hi all, another great weekend in Arnhem/ Oosterbeek ,always at the right place at the right time, will add some pictures when the disc arrives from Holland, highlight one, was to be invited to the scattering of ashes for Joe Mitchie GPR at the tennis court at the Hartenstien,Joes daughter was there to do the deed, but not before a very informative talk by Arthur Shackelton GPR, who was in the next slit trench to joe, Arthur spoke with total recall,and went on to getting across the Rhine, by then wounded, the bullet still in his shoulder today, also we now have knowledge, of where the woman prisioner (Irene riemann) was taken to pee,another shed right next to their slit trenches, (their aint much you cant find out on ww2t) After his talk the ashes were scattered, with all due reverance, job done, left only to thank the tennis court groundsman who opened up when we arrived so as to be able to get to the right spot, nice man, Highlight two, was lunch at the White House followed by a revisit to the site of the tragic accidental death of Samuel Cassidy KOSB, more on this when the pictures arrive, the new Roll of Honour will be now correct, as new facts have come to light,surrounding Cassidy death, All in all a good weekend. My good friend Paul at the Glider Museum had many visitors, I was very happy for him, this has been a life long dream of his to have a glider museum in Wolfhaze and its at last all coming together, also I believe there was an airshow on whilst we at the tennis court, did I miss something better (dont think so) regards lofty
TomTAS and I have been to the glidermuseum to and also located the exact spot on Duitsekampweg where a picture was taken from a Recce with a PIAT, this with the help from Paul of the Museum. Tom made a then and now picture.. Ron
