The reason I started this thread is because I have been researching Cpl L Timbrell of the 5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. I am still researching this soldiers war however I recently uploaded a short piece to my website. Cpl Leslie Herbert Timbrell - Chippenham 1939-1945
Just checked GoogleEarth, we had our picnic at the Kempke service area on the motorway just South-East of here. I did think of this thread when munching on my cheese & ham roll. Glad I was reasonably nearby. Must say I find the Wessex Div actions more interesting than what the airborne types were up to nearby.
A WOII air photograph of the Laar area (and the famous railway crossing), taken 12 September 1944. Thanks for sharing.
Stolpi, Many thanks for posting the photos of the area around De Laar farm and the level crossing, very helpful.
It is a really sad sight to see how this historical ground has been wasted. All the more because the 'Schuytgraaf' building project is a failure. The project is stagnating, less than half of the planned district is realised. Stolpi, I believe it's supposed to be progress. I found out this week that an area's close to my home has been earmarked for development. I wonder what consideration the planners have given to the pillboxes and other remaining defences that remain from a defence line built in 1940?
Don't feel too bad, we've had a real struggle to preserve some of the Civil War battlefields here in the States. The battlefields at Atlanta, Kansas City, and Nashville have been entirely swallowed by development, along with much of the battleground in Northern Virginia. In a crowded continent like Europe, things must be much worse.
Hi Nick, I don't know if you are still active on this forum. I just now read your call. you asked for the location of farm de laar. according to the map that was shared it is about our house. the real farm was destroyed in the war. the farmer who lived there has built a new farm together with his family. they've been doing this for 8 years. we were told there was heavy fighting around the farm. If you are interested I can send the coordinates. I'm curious what you found. Sincerely, Vivian
The first week of Oct 1944 some very hard fighting was on in the Nijmegen Bridgehead or 'The Island', as the Germans attempted to oust the British from the area and recapture the Nijmegen bridge. I did some work on this subject over here: NIJMEGEN BRIDGEHEAD: II.SS Pz Corps' counterattack in October 1944 The thread also covers the battle that raged around the Laar Farm: NIJMEGEN BRIDGEHEAD: II.SS Pz Corps' counterattack in October 1944
What an accurate report. How incredibly valuable! Thank you very much. We have a report of the farmer from the farm 'de achterste laar' in which he describes the explosion of the ammunition train. I can translate the text into English for you. We can also send you an old and new photo of what the farm looks like now. Would you like to let us know if you are interested? Sincerly, Vivian
Thank you Vivian - I would be very much interested in a picture of the farm as it looked like! No need to sent me the description of the explosion of the ammunition train. I do have some accounts of that incident. It occurred before the October battle.
Hi Vivian, thanks for you reply. I have established the location of the farm and it now forms part of the story of Cpl Leslie Timbrell's war who died there on the 2nd October 1944 who I am still researching all these years later but due to other commitments, not as often as I would like. If you have any photos of the farm or the surrounding area I would like to see them. Kind regards, Nick