Arnhem 2006

[Adrian Stevenson]

Here Harold Bruce from the XXI says a few words and lays a wreath.

[Adrian Stevenson]

We then did a battlefield tour.

The Dutch had altered the usual arrangments for this and extended it to a 70km road run. We opted not take part in this, as much of it was not relevant to the battle, petrol costs, etc, so we did a small tour of our own with me as guide.

Here we stop at our favourite site as witnessed from my threads from previous years This is the water culvert which runs under the railway line near Wolfheze. It was near here that on the first day of the battle that 1st A/B Recce Sqd was ambushed and later that the 4th Para. Brigade took their vehicles under the railway track using this tunnel.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Saturday is the day of the Parachute drop on Ginkel Heath.

[Adrian Stevenson]

The Dakota makes another pass

[Adrian Stevenson]

The drops were conducted by British, Polish, Dutch and US troops, plus some tandem jumps by Vets.

[Adrian Stevenson]

There was one bad drop by a Polish aircraft who came across the DZ at an angle and then preceeded to drop his stick. Two Paras landed in trees, but injuries were thankfully minimal

Here is a good drop.

[Adrian Stevenson]

We then took part in the vehicle run off the DZ. This year I did not take the Jeep as I had been offered the chance to ride in Bren Gun carrier.

The weather was very hot that afternoon. We set off and the driver stalled the engine right in the gateway leading off the DZ. What a place to conk out! Some Jeeps could just squeeze past with inches to spare. The driver managed to re-start the engine using the starting handle. I was quite impressed to see this, as the engine is a V8 Ford. So we set off again moving onto the road and chaning up into 2nd gear. In front of us was a coach followed by several Jeeps, all stationary. The driver must have seen them I thought? He had taken his eyes off the road ..... Stop! we all shouted! Bang! He drove right into the back of the rear Jeep, which in turn bumped into the one in front, which that did likewise to the next one Oh my God I thought. I dreaded to see what damage had been caused. Luckly the Jeep was not an Airborne modified version, so the spare wheel bore the brunt of the damage; a buckled combat rim wheel and damaged tyre plus a very bent spare wheel carrier. The Jeep owner was a fellow Brit. The very worrying thing I found out later speaking to him was that the Jeep had been converted to run on LPG which had a gas tank situated behind the back panel. Had the carrier driver hit him harder, the results could have been very nasty indeed.

We set off again, but once more the Carrier was coughing and splutering down the road, loosing what little speed it had. I just wanted him to get off this very busy main road. Finally he pulled in a lay by. Phew! But he tried again to set off down the road. I really was not enjoying this experience at all. Finally the carrier was brought off the road and the engine died. I suspect a fuel pump problem. So now were the stranded by the road. All the rest of the convoy had long departed.

A mobile phone call for help was answered and a Jeep sent to pick us up. In the meanwhile a Dutch friend's Dad and brothers passed us in a car and they recognised me. So I got a lift back to Oosterbeek and the airborne museum.

Here is the dead carrier by the side of the road. Actually this spot was the location of another German ambush on the Recce Sqd's Jeeps on the first day of the battle. The BMW stopped to try and help.

[Adrian Stevenson]

At the Airborne Museum there has been a new memorial to the RAF and Allied aircrews unveiled.

[Adrian Stevenson]

On the Sunday I normally take part in the re-enactors march. But driving the Jeep back to the hotel on Saturday eveing I was not happy with the way it was running. Once I got back to the hotel I checked the fuel pump. As I suspected this was not right, with no pressure on the primer arm. So Sunday morning I rebuilt this using spares that I carry. So a new diafram and valves were fitted. I also replaced the starter switch at the same time. My Jeep is still in the original 6 Volt format. As a result the electrics have to be "spot on" or trouble will result. I was dissappointed to miss the march as it is a highlight of the week for me, but getting home the following day had to take priority. So having fixed the Jeep, we spent a lesurely afternoon with a long lunch and huge ice cream which cost more than the main course!

I don't have any more photos to share (but if friends send me any, I will add them here).

The trip home was completed in a convoy with several other Jeeps. No more problems were experienced and the journey was completed.

It hardly seems a year since I last wrote about Arnhem for the forum. Time has gone very quick. I hope that you have enjoyed hearing about mine and Lez's trip?

Cheers, Ade.

[Chet Sowersby]

Ade,
I always enjoy your threads. The pictures showing the old vets remembering their fallen buddies are my favorites along with the before and after pictures. Glad you had good weather and thanks again for sharing your trip with us.

Chet

[Felix]

Thanks Adrian for a very interesting thread! I do enjoy the now and then photos along with pics of veterans doing the tour! Great historical trip and I will try to do this myself some times in the future! Would have loved to chat a few words with the vets!

Interesting that they even included jumps! Also noteworthy is to see there are many potential problems that can occur even in our modern era. Makes you think what these chaps went trough back then!

Cheers,
Felix

[lnijherald]

Hi Ade, great thread! Sorry to hear you had so much car trouble, but it seems as a whole you had a great week.
Did you visit the renovated Schoonoord hotel?

Cheers, Luc

[johannes post]

hello adrian

fantastic that you are so helpfull too the arnhem veterans.
geweldig !!!
and as you all see in holland there is sometimes nice weather .

regards johan

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, thank you for the comments.

I did visit the Schoonoord Luc. I had been warned that things had changed. Not so keen on the look of the new conservatory or the big lampshades, but the bar is better, as are the toilets. I did like the photos of my friends from the XXI situated right in the doorway as you go in

Cheers, Ade.

[Willi Z.]

Great photos Ade. Sounds like you had a good time.