Number one gun: Fire!
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All three guns firing
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Arriving back at the camp site. We had about 16 Airborne Jeeps in our convoy.Comment
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The girls had their own "ATS Only" Jeep.Comment
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The girls were quite a hit with the Veterans! Even though the Vets are all in the 80's, once they get back to Arnhem they are all young again!Comment
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Here is a photo of one of our group, Marcus, jumping from a WW2 Dakota onto Ginkle Heath, one of the original DZ's. Marcus had not jumped with a leg bag before, so please excuse the poor exit
The kit used was all reproduction. The leg back was made by Pegasus Militaria. The bag could have really have needed more weight in it. Marcus pulled the quick release only to have the top one of the two pins release. This left the bag attached to his ankle and flopping forwards; luckly he was able to lift his leg and pull the pin out by hand 
His landing was OK. The Vets reported the same thing had happened to them before, except some were not as lucky as Marcus and received broken ankles or legs.
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Here is a new memorial which was only unveiled this year along side the Rhine.Comment
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Close up on the memorial plaque.Comment
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Here are some people swimming the Rhine. This has been done in previous years by small groups. This has always been a low key event, mainly to keep things safe. This years event was the largest yet with a contingent from the Dutch Army taking part. I have not tried this myself.Comment
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The Dutch Army can be seen as they have their kit with them.Comment
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Incredible photos Ade! Really fantastic! Great story about the dug up helmets. I especially like the 1st Pattern one
I`d love to go along with your group sometime and do a Belgian SAS impression. Although the Belgian SAS never actually took part in Operation Market Garden, 2 groups (totaling 9 men) were parachuted into Holland around the same time and greatly assisted in the evacuation of British Paras across the rhine. Have you ever read the book "The Grey Goose of Arnhem"? It was written by a guy called Leo Heaps (Can Loan Officer who was attached to the British Airborne and took part in the operation. Its a very interesting book and talks a fair bit about the Belgian SAS and their role in helping the Paras get out once the operation had gone arse over tip. Coincidentally my Phantom Regiment Vet friend knew Heaps during the war
Regards,
Des
p.s I must get one of Steve Kiddles Leg Bags. They look really good.Comment
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Here we have a shot of a 20mm Polsten gun. Two of these were taken into Arnhem by the 1st A/B Recce Sqd. This gun has been built from scratch by two of our groups members, Nigel Silver & Pino Lombardi. They have built two of these guns, with a third now in production. One has been sold to the "Hartenstien" Airborne Museum. The guns use many original parts and are perfect in detail.
Here the gun is set up on one of the original sites where one sat during the battle. Nige even finds time for a cup of tea
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Hi Des, you would be very welcome to join us! Next year will be something special being the 60th Anniversary. I have Leo Heaps book in my libray, a very good read, he seemed to be everywhere in the battle.
Another brew up by the Polsten crew. Note the Vickers "K" gun mounted on the Jeep.Comment
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A sad picture now. This is the famous "Tafelberg Hotel". This is where FM Model had his HQ prior to the battle. I guess you all remember his hasty exit as seen in the film "A Bridge Too Far"? The building became one of the field main hospitals. After the war the building was used as a retirement home for former Monks. They sold the place a few years ago and rather than it stand empty the local council allowed it to be used by some "Hippy Arty types" who paid a cheap rent. We made freinds with one of these lads who showed us all aound the house two years ago.
Last year, after much arguement, the house was sold to a building developer. A preservation order was placed on the front of the house which comprises of the former hotel foyer. This is historic, as the floor is marble and is still blood stained from the wounded. Last year the house was knocked down leaving only this frontage. We expected the development, which was to be luxury apartments to be complete this year. However, nothing has been done since last year 
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Here is the "rear" of the building now..........Comment
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