The Church at Oosterbeek.....I was talking to a chap that was there last week and he was telling us that the Church basement was packed with wounded and families from the local area. The Burgomaster wife who spoke English and had been helping the wounded insisted that the fighting should stop when a number of German tanks pulled out the front of the Church. They informed the soldiers there that they should surrender or they would blow the place to bits and although quite a number of Para's were prepared to fight to the end the woman went out and agreed to the surrender to save the lives of the wounded and the civilians. The German officer who spoke perfect English informed those that surrendered that they would have blown the place apart and would have thrown grenades into the basement rather than risk German lives going down there. Many of the civilians were marched of to a concentration camp for helping the British. The Burgomasters wife was killed just after the war when she was knocked down by a Dutch policeman riding a motorcycle
The Church at Oosterbeek.....I was talking to a chap that was there last week and he was telling us that the Church basement was packed with wounded and families from the local area. The Burgomaster wife who spoke English and had been helping the wounded insisted that the fighting should stop when a number of German tanks pulled out the front of the Church. They informed the soldiers there that they should surrender or they would blow the place to bits and although quite a number of Para's were prepared to fight to the end the woman went out and agreed to the surrender to save the lives of the wounded and the civilians. The German officer who spoke perfect English informed those that surrendered that they would have blown the place apart and would have thrown grenades into the basement rather than risk German lives going down there. Many of the civilians were marched of to a concentration camp for helping the British. The Burgomasters wife was killed just after the war when she was knocked down by a Dutch policeman riding a motorcycle The story isn't correct. The woman lives in the house next to the church. Read the book, a regimental aidpost by Kate ter horst. That's the woman you mean. She died a few years ago by an accident when somebody hit her with his car.
The chap I was speaking to is in his 90's, and his memory isn't that bad, and often returns returns to Arnhem. Even the Regimental History writers get some things wrong as they are working on what they have been told.
The chap I was speaking to is in his 90's, and his memory isn't that bad, and often returns returns to Arnhem. Even the Regimental History writers get some things wrong as they are working on what they have been told. I agree with the part of the writers but this is a strange story. Think other people answer to this subject, the Next few days.
Stan Bolden, there was a ministory, but this looks more likely from a book Page taken from The Torn Horizon. I do believe Mr Ter Horst was acting Burgormaster when the crew arrived to make TITG, the Bilderburgh being used as temporary council offices. lofty
Tab, If the gentleman you spoke to was indeed referring to Kate Ter Horst then he has got it slightly wrong. Mrs Ter Horst died on 21st February 1992 after being hit by a car whilst out walking near her home with her husband. Mr Ter Horst was injured but survived the accident. All the best...........
Page taken from The Torn Horizon. I do believe Mr Ter Horst was acting Burgormaster when the crew arrived to make TITG, the Bilderburgh being used as temporary council offices. lofty Sure, i was referring to the 1944 story posted above, officially he was never the Burgomaster but as you say "acting" in 1945. Ron
Tab, If the gentleman you spoke to was indeed referring to Kate Ter Horst then he has got it slightly wrong. Mrs Ter Horst died on 21st February 1992 after being hit by a car whilst out walking near her home with her husband. Mr Ter Horst was injured but survived the accident. All the best........... operation market garden publications Ron
Most of them, only the commander had a french Somua, and from memory 3 of the tanks in the unit had the gun instead of the flamethrower, but have to check to be sure