A message from Arnhem

Were there only one paradropping Dakota/C-47 yesterday? (which?) It actually made the news here as well, which is not the norm!

The “After the Battle” magazine was indeed very good value, when visiting the Arnhem area. As you say, it has been very moving – every time.

Cor, he got off lightly! 😀

My favourite (perhaps apocraphal) Arnheim story:

German interrigator: “Where did you come from?”

Captured British para: “My mummy’s tummy.” 😀

Firebird.

What you have said is borne out (or should that be Airborne?) by Moggy’s latest missive. He has asked if the forum would have a whip round to pay for the 120 Euro plus bar bill he ran up in the Schoonoord the other night buying drinks for veterans.

Regards,

kev35

[QUOTE=archieraf] The interviews conducted with them shortly after landing showed the twinkle in their eyes, they certainly seemed to have enjoyed the experience.
[QUOTE]

Probably because they knew the next port of call would be the bar at the Schoonoord……. 😉 😀

Beleive me, 80+ years old they maybe, but that doesn’t stop a lot of them getting into ‘beer monster’ mode and getting up to all sorts of mischief when those few remaining get back together….truely incredible men.

Archieraf, wow, thanks for that. A wonderful story.

I talked with Spifire ace Edward “Bill” Wells last year. He told me of all the flying he did, (Battle of Britain, sweeps over Europe and shipping, D Day, etc.), Arnhem was the scariest period he ever endured. This was because they were flying so low, and the ground was so flat, it was hard to see obstacles like power lines. I have to say I was surprised to hear that he found Arnhem scarier than the Battle of Britain – he was a rookie in the BofB but was a very experienced combat pilot by 1944. Rather interesting.

Parachuting into Arnhem

I have just watched the news coverage of some of the Arnhem veterans who made a parachute jump today as part of the commemorations. Some jumped tandem and a handful jumped solo – they were all in their 80’s, one had lost his sight during the battle. What an incredible, amazing and brave bunch of people they are, they truly represent the generation they come from. The interviews conducted with them shortly after landing showed the twinkle in their eyes, they certainly seemed to have enjoyed the experience.

Just watching the short clips on the news has left me with tears in my eyes. I salute them all.

We will remember.

ABTF

JDK,

More material from our departed friend’s collection.

Mark

Not me Mark. Must be another tweed attired loony. Is there a poster there? (Not that I want one. 😉 )

A Bridge Too Far.

If you’ve e njoyed the film, there’s the book, the book of the film (photos, very good actually) and the After the Battle with the real story and the making of the film. All good background. There’s also an After the Battle ‘then and now’ book IIRC.

Cheers (Yes, I’m a fan…)

..and one day to bid on an original film poster on ebay I see.

Mark

Well, as it was’nt a US Movie…

Directed by Attenborough, produced by American Jew Levine. Funded and released by United Artists. Filmed in Britain and Holland, using an international cast. Holywood was at best arms length.

There was US money involved hence a need to ‘rewrite’ history a little to spice up the US participation. One example, I think it was the Elliot Gould character(?) and the US unit taking one of the bridges in the film, which in reality was captured by one of the Guards Amoured Divs., but a James says, it’s pretty good as a represention of events, in as much as it’s not easy to condense a weeks battle plus the build up into a mere 2 and a bit hours of film.
Personally, I think the film concentrated too much on specific ‘failures’ (ignoring Dutch intel., radio comms., not using what were perfectly good DZ close to the bridge etc) rather than on these as well as many general misfortunes of battle. Not many battle plans go according to plan after all. The one ‘missing’ ingredient in the film is the fact that after the intial surprise of the first drop, the German ground commanders (particularly Kraft, did what they were good at and very quickly organised their ad-hoc units into an effective defence and then counter-attack. This was one of the reasons Freddie Gough’s jeep mounted Recce units were unable to reach the bridge from the DZ’s putting the rest of the operation on the back foot from the start.
But Market Garden failed through many, many reasons, not just a few, but frustratingly so close to being a success really.

I really wish I was there this weekend. For me, when there for the 55th anniversay, to be in a troop of accurate recce jeeps (full kit incl. Vickers K’s 😀 ) fully loaded with equally correctly attired ‘troopers’ roaring around the area was great fun……but……it had a very poigniant purpose as well, as we had a Recce veteran in each Jeep and followed the route his jeep took at the time. To do that and stop at the precise points of ambush and battle and have a veteran standing amongst you in those circumstances describing what happend to their friends on the spot you are standing at is a very, very moving experience and not something I’m likely to forget.

Heroes one and all………..we owe it to every one of them never to forget.

The book by (I think) Cornelius Ryan can be found floating around fairly easily.

Well, as it was’nt a US Movie…

Directed by Attenborough, produced by American Jew Levine. Funded and released by United Artists. Filmed in Britain and Holland, using an international cast. Holywood was at best arms length.

There’s some short cuts, and amalgamation of some supporting charecters; there is, and will be debates about what was the ‘one’ thing that made it go pear shaped (as per the comments of the chaps in the church tower scene) but it’s mostly right. Olivier’s doctor and the Dutch father and son are fictional – almost everyone else is real, though some people got other (not included) peoples charecteristics and lines. Sosabowski is often creited with the ‘Bridge too far’ comment.

If you’ve e njoyed the film, there’s the book, the book of the film (photos, very good actually) and the After the Battle with the real story and the making of the film. All good background. There’s also an After the Battle ‘then and now’ book IIRC.

Cheers (Yes, I’m a fan…)

Never forgotten.

A book to read on the subject of the Dutch people’s bravery and support at Arnhem is ‘I Was A Stranger’ by Brig. Sir John Hackett. He was hidden and nursed back from near death by a Dutch family. After more than 3 months he was fit enough to be passed down one of the resistance escape routes to freedom.
mmitch.

There’s a movie begging to be made right there 🙂

Either that or the Dutch P-51D was my thought

The Dutch Spit IX?

I caught the sound of the BBC news broadcast last night (not the picture) and heard a merlin powered fighter over Arnhem, anyone know what it was?

A book to read on the subject of the Dutch people’s bravery and support at Arnhem is ‘I Was A Stranger’ by Brig. Sir John Hackett. He was hidden and nursed back from near death by a Dutch family. After more than 3 months he was fit enough to be passed down one of the resistance escape routes to freedom.
mmitch.

Have decided to stay here and open a shop selling domestic appliances. It will be called – “A Fridge Too Far.”‘

Does this new business venture mean he is now becoming a Fridge Magnate?

Great news to hear he (and presumably the Colt?) made it out there. Oosterbeek cemetary is a very serene and moving place, and in fact the whole Arnhem area is still full of reminders of that week sixty years ago. The Hartenstein Hotel where General Urquhart set up his headquarters, the fields where the landings originally took place…

It’s been a couple of years since I last went, but I have always been made to feel very welcome, both in Arnhem and Nijmegen. The Dutch still have a very great appreciation for what the British, American and Polish Airborne forces tried to do during Market Garden. That the operation failed in its ultimate goal does not make the sacrifice made by the troops any less harrowing or significant.

I can well imagine how evocative the sight of a Dakota over Oosterbeek would have been; Flt Lt David Lord VC lies there, sixty years after losing his life while fighting to keep his burning Dakota in the air for long enough to drop supplies to the beleaugured troops below…

Lest we forget.

Have had the privilege of nursing some Arnhem veterans, including some glider pilots. They had amazing stories to tell, and were, as always true gentlemen. They seemed pleased that I knew a little about Arnhem, as sometimes it can appear that relative youngsters aren’t interested in what is important history.

It was nice to be able to say Thank You to them in person, something I will not forget..especially when they thanked me for making their stay in hospital that little bit nicer.

Thank You to all veterans where ever you are.
Regards
Snaps