Hi, I'm planning to visit Arnhem this September and I'm trying to find out what events or commemorations if any are taking place. I've searched the internet but can't find any info. Anyone know whats happening this year? Cheers Andrew
Originally posted by laureltyne64@May 20 2005, 08:14 AM Hi, I'm planning to visit Arnhem this September and I'm trying to find out what events or commemorations if any are taking place. I've searched the internet but can't find any info. Anyone know whats happening this year? Cheers Andrew [post=34616]Quoted post[/post] Hi Andrew, This is the only detail I can find on the net from a tour company which lists some of the events. Maybe contact them direct for some further info. http://www.battlefieldtours.co.uk/tours2d.htm World War 2 – Arnhem/Nijmegen – A Bridge too Far Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem 15th – 19th September 2005 5 Days, 4 Nights £475.00 This battlefield tour starts by travelling through France and Belgium to Holland, where we spend our first night in the Eindhoven area. The next morning we take a leisurely drive along the corridor – 'Hells Highway'Ê– which the troops took in their attempt to relieve the Airborne Forces at Arnhem, visiting the various crossing places of the canal system and the Grave Bridge. We take a break in the beautiful town of Nijmegen and visit Jonkerbos cemetery, before making our way to our hotel at Arnhem. From here we will visit Ginkel Heath dropping and landing zones, Wolfheze, Heelsum and Oosterbeek areas, the Hartenstein Hotel Airborne Museum, Schoonoord Cross-Roads, Oosterbeek Airborne Cemetery. We will follow the route taken by John Frost into the famous Bridge too Far seeing, en route, the Tafelberg Hotel, the home of Kate Ter Horst – the 'Angel of Arnhem'. We visit the Scenes of Valour where L/Sgt Baskeyfield, Cpt. Queripel, Cpt. Cain, Lt. Grayburn and Flt Lt. Lord all won the coveted Victoria Cross. We also visit the Groesbeek area to view the Liberation Museum and Canadian Cemetery and the very impressive Overloon Battlefield Park. We cross over into Germany and pay a visit to the Reichswald Forest Cemetery, beside Kleve and other cemeteries by request. These tours are accompanied by Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Tom Van Soest, We also attend the Airborne Drop at Ginkel Heath, and the Special Service of Remembrance at Oosterbeek Airborne Cemetery, to pay our respects along with the schoolchildren of the area. Regards Geoff
I went last year and it was amazing, so much so that im going this September as well. I had the idea that it should be so much quieter than last year but try booking somewhere to stay everywhere seems booked up. Luckily I have a Dutch friend not too far away who is putting me up. Chatting to the many vets last year it seemed as though the majority were not just out for the 60th but come every year anyway health permitting. If you want to meet and talk to British vets, well one of the places to go is where they sell beer and one of the places they all seem to visit is the Schoonoord Airborne pub no1. Event wise, as Spidge has put theres an para drop at Ginkel heath 17th (thousands last year, its the only time in my life I have ever seen a cycle jam, it looked like the M25 but bikes instead of cars ) As mentioned as well the service at Oosterbeek war cem. I dont know if anyone has heard of Bill Fulton? well he was the first British soldier onto Arnhem bridge http://www.arnhemarchive.org/bill_fulton.htm We got chatting to his wife and daughter at the Schoonoord, they were telling us that every year as they play the last post during the service, the trees that surround the cem stop moving, complete stillness. As the last post finishes the leaves start to rustle again. I sat there thinking yea right ok, bless em. But you know it happened Andy
I am going to Arnhem for the weekend of 15th September; as far as I know there is the usual drop on the heath on the Saturday morning, and then the service at Oosterbeek Cemetery on the Sunday. As Andy mentions, a great time to meet veterans; the area around the Schoonoord in the evening is quite something!!
Anyone at "the 'Shot" next weekend (2nd July). Some of the old blokes from Arnhem are guarenteed to be there! Meet up in the Pegasus or the George around luchtime Saturday if anyone's interested!! Dave.
