Could anybody give me the location of Laar Farm near Elst in the Netherlands. I've been unable to find it on modern maps. I am currently researching a soldier of the 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment who was killed in action on 02/10/1944 in that area, he has no known grave. I believe he may have been a member of B or D Coy who were involved in the heavy fighting on or around the farm. Any information will be of a great help. Thanks, Nick
Nick, I don't rhink that it exists anymore but there seems to be a housing estate there that bears the name. Elderveld, de Laar, Elden - Hyves.nl It might be worth asking someone there if they know more about the old farm.
Nick, I don't rhink that it exists anymore but there seems to be a housing estate there that bears the name. Elderveld, de Laar, Elden - Hyves.nl It might be worth asking someone there if they know more about the old farm. I'm not sure that the above is the correct location. It is a suburb of Arnhem which could have been farm land in 1944, but there is a place called Elst, which is Southwest of Arnhem, which could be more likely. Most of the places I visited as a child were bordering farmland and 40 years later has now gone due to demand for housing. I will contact a relative whose research experience may help to locate details of this farm. Cheers - Robert
I tried a different approach to find the possible location of the farm and found a site with entries of the 5th Wilts from 2/10/1944. Luckily, there were a couple of map references quoted from events during the day. Using the formula supplied by Phaethon for converting WW2 map refs to current day locations, I came up with the following. Using the zoom facility, you will find a location, North of Elst and at the extreme edge of what is now Arnhem-Sud. Map of Latitude: 51.943259085529 Longitude: 5.8539873323564, by MapQuest There is a road above the indicated spot called de Laar. Maybe a reference to the name of the former farm.
Nothing on the farm However is this your query or a coincidence;- https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/guestbook.php?keywords=laar Verrieres
Nothing on the farm However is this your query or a coincidence;- https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/guestbook.php?keywords=laar Verrieres I found that as well and had the same thought. It was posted in 2006.
I have found the farm on a 1944 map I have (dated 11 Sep 44) which has annotations about the 43rd Wessex Div on the Island. I can't remember where I got this map from; it's a modern reprint, I think done by the Devon & Dorsets museum. Map from Elst up to Laar Farm (visible under the Polish Drop overlay).
It's great to see the original map and compare it to how the area is today. Totally different and quite difficult to locate. Thanks to Paul for supplying this.
Thanks all for the replies. Nothing on the farm However is this your query or a coincidence;- https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/guestbook.php?keywords=laar Verrieres No this is not my query however it is where I found the name of the farm. Having previously read the battalion war diary in conjunction with modern maps I knew the broad area of where the action had been fought. Paul Brilliant maps, thanks very much. They will enable me to plot the company positions accurately. I am carrying out this research on behalf of a work mate whose uncle went missing during the fighting of 02/10/1944. The family have no idea where or how he was lost, this will help to fill in some of the detail. Thanks again. Nick
On page 607 of ATB's Op Market Garden there is a picture of what I believe is the Farm. It says its taken from the North Eastern corner of the DZ/LZ and you can see a farm in the distance which looks like it is at the end of a tree lined road. Using Owen rather good map and Google Earth I reckon your farm is at the end of a road called De Park on google earth and De Perk on Owen's map. Your farm (I believe) is right of centre surrounded by trees Cheers Andy ps If you get a chance to look at the ATB book the pictures are worth a look. The 'Then' picture is taken from the ground of 560 Polish dropping on the DZ
Thanks Andy. Not had a proper chance to compare the map with Google yet but at first glance I don't think you're too far away. Nick
I think that Andy's comment about the aerial photo lends weight to the actual location of the farm. The first grid references I checked in the 5th Wilts diary shows them approaching this location from the south along what appears to be a railway line/tram line and what today is a main road. The second map reference shows them at a junction of the railway line which crosses the de laar road. The farm is then due East along the de laar road. The embankment may have given them much needed cover to advance across country.
I'm not entirely sure Andy has quite got the location right; what I've done is take the section of the map I posted that covers the immediate area of the farm and overlaid it on GE. I then put a place marker over where it showed the De Laar Farm. Results are attached as GE kmz files. What do you think?
Blast it won't let me add the overlay as it exceeds the file limit... Adam can you adjust it slightly? This overlay is about 650KB - or do you think that too big?
De Laar is now a new suburb of Arnhem I will see if I can find a WOII air photo of it, not sure if I have it Do you have a name as they had 10 missing in the Elst are that day
I'm not entirely sure Andy has quite got the location right; what I've done is take the section of the map I posted that covers the immediate area of the farm and overlaid it on GE. I then put a place marker over where it showed the De Laar Farm. Results are attached as GE kmz files. What do you think? Paul I have done the same, we appear to agree on the location. It's the first time I have used the overlay tool in GE very impressed!! Nick
De Laar is now a new suburb of Arnhem I will see if I can find a WOII air photo of it, not sure if I have it Do you have a name as they had 10 missing in the Elst are that day Phillip It would be great if you could find the air photo. I'm researching Cpl Leslie Herbert Timbrell 5570591 he is commemorated on the Groesbeek Memorial. Nick
