UK Members 2011 Battlefield Tour (by Graham Francis)

Friday 24 June to Sunday 26 2011

After renewing old acquaintances and introducing first-timers, Niall Cherry led us up Stationsweg          taking in Crum's bakery and Kavanagh's ambush before leading us 'off piste', into the woods off Dreijenseweg. We climbed to point 56.5 to receive a graphic description of the blocking line battle.
The evening saw us welcomed by our hosts at the museum. Niall delivering a slide show after which we could all identify an airborne medical pannier and its contents from 50 paces!
After refreshments, members explored normally hidden areas of the museum and watched recordings of veterans stories.                                                

Saturday dawned with rain falling as it did all day. But it didn't diminish the enthusiasm of the party     walking from the Hartenstein to Arnhem Bridge. At the Railway Bridge and Oosterbeek-Laag station David van Buggenum gave an excellent talk. Lunch was taken en route to our rendezvous with Eugene Wijnhoud for a talk on the Airlanding Anti-tank batteries. After brief stops at the Rhine Hotel and the Hospital, John Howes superbly  related the story of his fathers escape from capture during the S.Staffs defence of the museum. After visiting the site of the old pontoon bridge, there was time for NC to demonstrate his negotiation skills, resulting in a welcome, unexpected drinks break before we reached the Bridge.
 

(photo: Graham Francis)

Sunday saw sunshine as we met for the traditional Sunday outing in military vehicles. With our enthusiastic drivers and SFAM members we headed to the Island  to visit the new Wiltshire Regiment memorial. Geert Jonker gave an informative talk on the fighting in that area.
After the Canadian Engineers memorial, lunch was taken at the US 101st memorial at which the writer covered the 7th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiments battle for the Koervaar Brickworks.
 

(photo: Graham Francis)

After an optional crossing of the Driel Ferry, we turned to the Glider Pilots role, with our experts, Luuk Buist and Steve Elsey. Both contributed to a most informative and enjoyable afternoon, before adjourning for our farewell dinner at the Schoonoord.

Thanks to all the members that contributed to the weekend and in particular Gerard Gijsbertsen . The knowledge and enthusiasm displayed by the speakers ensured we all gained from the weekend none of it possible without our Secretary, the irrepressible Niall Cherry, to whom go our final thanks.

(photo: Graham Francis)

Report UK (and now International) Members Weekend 14 to 26 June 2011

I would like to thank the 28 members (including those from Canada) who made the effort to support our 6th special 'UK' weekend in June, also the Dutch members who came along for the ride on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At one stage I counted 47 people listening avidly to a wonderful explanation of the actions of the 4th and 5th Wiltshires on the outskirts of Arnhem in late September 1944.

From somewhat humble beginnings in 2001 the weekend has developed into what I feel is a major event in the Societies calendar and has made me to think long and hard of new places to go and explore. This year was no different as on Saturday and one of the new places was as we walked in the footsteps of C Company 2nd Parachute Battalion. This involved a walk along the dyke bank between the Benedendorpsweg and the railway bridge - the first time to my knowledge this has ever been done on a Society tour.

Just like 1944 things did not always go to plan with the main problem being time (or lack of it) with certain stops being cancelled but leaves things to be looked at it in future years!  A big thanks must also go to my many Dutch friends who assisted with the tour either as guest speakers or as helpers behind the scenes. There seemed to be a willingness to return in 2013 and I already have a volunteer speaker for the Friday social and as I write this in early July 14 bookings already. If you wish to attend in 2013 please let me know soonest. 

Niall Cherry 

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