Arnhem: 65th Anniversary

**citizen** · 09-23-2009, 08:40 PM

Once again I take my hat of to Ade and his comrades who keep history alive well done young man

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-24-2009, 08:44 AM

Thanks Guys.

I will add some more pics now. I will try and get more pics from friends who were there and who took pics on occasions when I did not.

On the Friday we did a tour by Jeeps from Oosterbeek to Driel and Heteren. Here are some pics of us from setting off from the campsite to driving through the towns and by the Rhine.

You can see new extended Hartenstien Airborne museum in one shot. Note the new glass extention on the right side. The building is now painted cream coloured, not white.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-24-2009, 09:01 AM

The next set of shots were mainly taken going to and at Driel. This is where the 1st Polish Indep Para Brigade fought.

The 101st A/B memorial is at Heteren. A quick pic taken from the Jeep. They fought there from Oct. '44.

The memorial with the flags, second pic, is to commemorate the escape across the Rhine.

The lads & girls in front of the Polish Memorial are actually Polish and not just dressed as such.

The memorial with Poppy wreaths is at the Old Church at Oosterbeek where Lez and I got married 5 years ago.

I really should mention that the ATS and FANY girls (Ester, Anouk & Lez) all wear original uniforms.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-24-2009, 09:15 AM

These pics were all taken behind the Church with a 75mm Pack Howitzer in the original 1944 firing positions. The lads manning the gun are actually regular British Army soldiers from 7th Royal Horse Artillery (Airborne). They had just returned from tours of Iraq and Afganistan. My Dutch re-enactor friend Lex, who owns the gun, gave them the honour to fire four rounds from the gun on this occasion. Big smiles all round!

Returning to camp you can see the "captured" Kettenkrad.

Last three pics show part of our living history camp where we lived for 6 days in original tents. We had a small militaria sale on two evenings.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-24-2009, 09:29 AM

Saturday morning now, getting up at dawn for the 7am start to drive to Ginkel Heath for the Parachute drop.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-24-2009, 09:34 AM

Now on the Heath.

Note the Dakota fly past with Para drop from the plane.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-24-2009, 09:39 AM

Myself and my friend Ron.

More drops from C130's etc. The pink 'chute was a resupply drop.

Lez catches a knap.

We had a 5 pass fly past by the B25 and Havard trainers. The pilots were having fun and did not want to leave!

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-24-2009, 09:44 AM

The Jeeps now form up on the "Telephone Way" ready for the "Race to the Bridge"

**Alan M** · 09-24-2009, 09:47 AM

Hi Ade , looks like you had a memorable trip , i enjoyed seeing your photos , and the shot of the memorial at Oosterbeek is good to see ,

cheers Al

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-24-2009, 09:49 AM

Hi Al, it was a good trip. This was my 13th time, so I must like it!

We are now heading from the DZ to the Bridge.

Nigel & Pino on the "Welbikes" enjoy the run and like to talk to the locals. Funny how the locals are always pretty girls...