Found a this picture of XXX Corps resting in Valkenswaard during the night of 17/18th September 1944, and decided to do a Then and Now of it. Hope you guys like it. I found a few more pictures of valkenswaard but got to work on them. I used Google maps to do this XXX Corps stopped in Valkenswaard around about 7:30pm on the 17th September 1944, and were greeted by crowds of Dutch civillians celebrating there liberation.
Sherman 'Snow White' HQ, 5th Guards Armoured Brigade. Behind, vehicles of the 3rd Battalion Irish Guards. Daimler armoured car of the 2nd Household Cavalry. British Tank Markings and Names; BT White
Nice effort that, Ben and thanks to the addition of Andy's Diaries a good thread. I passed through a couple of weeks ago whilst travelling up the Club Route. As usual when attempting a 'Then and Now' from memory I managed to take the photo from the wrong point..
Good try there Jonathan. It was almost there but I guess you just had to take it from memory, but unlike me I had the picture right next to me on the computer. Yeah thanks Drew for posting them war diaries and Guy Hudson for telling us the units pictured.
Seems to be a very popular place - I too was there 27th and 28th Aug visiting friends one of the area devoid of all traffic. TD
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/51315-market-garden-normandy/ Tony Brady, then a sniper, 3rd Battalion Irish Guards 3IG War Diary http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/47101-war-diary-3rd-battalion-irish-guards-jan-dec-1944/?p=555743
Well done Ben. I did a similar one years ago. see post #5 as the ones in post #1 have gone. Bedford MWD trucks and other vehicles of the 4th Wiltshire Regiment, 43rd Division, in Valkenswaard, 21 September 1944. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/11115-valkenswaard-then-now/?hl=valkenswaard
A Solider's story, JOE Vandeleur [* Tony Brady: "It was claimed, I think Joe says he thought in his memoirs, that perhaps one of our tanks was hit by them. I’m sure they weren’t because ‘Tinker’ Taylor who was a great friend and recently died, he said he was absolutely certain they weren’t - they were firing into the Germans and of course they turned the whole thing."] Hujohn Ripman, RAMC attached 2 Armd IG Valkenswaard, Pathe News http://www.britishpathe.com/video/invasion-scenes-27 http://www.britishpathe.com/video/invasion-scenes-europe-77
My knowledge of OMG stops at the Bridge Too Far film (My fav war film in the world ever). Looking at that 'timeline' I posted from the 2 Household Cavalry, the bit where 8 tanks were suddenly in flames is this the same bit in the film where the 25 pounders lay a barrage, the tanks get destroyed by AT fire from the woods and the RAF flatten the woods? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggpy-f7LVTA
I am holding an exposition about ww2 on that spot this week.Tony Brady would have come buy unfortunately he died last Sunday night. R.I.P. Tony, it was nice to have known you. If you want to know more check out my foundations Facebook page: erfgoed 40-45
Done another one, this one was much harder becuase of the height difference between Google Maps and the War photogrpaher.
Just been sent the link to a live stream of the parade in Valkenswaard http://www.omroepbrabant.nl/?news/2167471123/Vol+programma+over+Operatie+Market+Garden+op+Omroep+Brabant+radio+en+tv.aspx Edited to add: I am trying to find if there is a youtube link to this so we can see it in our own time - if I find it I will post it for others to watch the parade TD
When the liberation task force came through Valkenswaard on the 15th of september, they made an then and now with the vehicles standing in same spots. I will try to get a copy of that. ray