By Chris Langlois (Chrisdfw) (12.241.64.130) on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 02:31 pm:
| By Chris Langlois (Chrisdfw) (12.241.64.130) on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 02:31 pm: |
Bill outside the Blue Boar Inn in Aldbourne.
Babe enjoying a beer at the Crown Inn in Aldbourne.
Bill and Babe with a group of reencators in Aldbourne.
Daniel was lucky enough to get Bill and Babe autograph.
All courtesy of Jane S. in England
| By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (213.122.97.109) on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 06:19 pm: |
Fabulous! Only wish I was there. How did you get to know about the "Tour", Jane?
Regards, Jonathan.
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 06:38 am: |
hurray! glad to see they are having a good time! and they'll be in holland (eindhoven) in only two more days!!!! can't wait...
irene
| By Marigold Papa (Marigold) (203.170.2.67) on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 10:02 am: |
Irene, i am so excited for you! Don't forget to share!!!
Gold
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.16.157) on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 12:08 pm: |
Check out StephenAmbroseTours.com -- the itinerary is posted there. The trip of a lifetime! BK
| By JANE Southern England (Jane) (195.93.32.7) on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 02:38 pm: |
It was widely know that they would be in Aldbourne, but I didnt like to intrude, I just kept my distance. Bill happened to see the flag my little Daniel was holding and asked if he would like it signed. We had a little chat and he shook our hands, he told us to go n' see Babe in the Crown Inn just yards down the road, which we did, and had a chat with him, he is feeling much better and shook our hands once again.
The re enactors were pretty cool too. 
here they are marching past the Blue Boar Inn
Notice whats written on the windscreen of the jeep, and thats Jake Powers there on the left
~Irene, I hope you have a lovely day.~
with best wishes... Jane S. southern England
| By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (213.122.240.126) on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 06:54 pm: |
This stuff is precious! Thanks for sharing the photos.
Regards, "Envious of Northern England".
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.221.26) on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 09:43 am: |
jane, thanks. i wouldn't like intruding too, but since it's an official ceremony and there will be thousands of people...
irene
| By Gene Guarnere (Sonofwildbill) (159.214.124.9) on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 12:54 pm: |
Chris really enjoying the pictures of my dad. Thanks Gene.
| By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (213.122.92.90) on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 02:10 pm: |
And I'm really grateful for Wild Bill's letter to me, Gene. Will you be posting your dad's thoughts of this tour on your site? I'd love to read some more of his thoughts, as I'm sure we all would. He's one hell of a guy!
Regards, Jonathan.
| By Caroline 'tree' Fallin (Carolinefallin) (216.12.29.153) on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 09:59 pm: |
What super pics!!! Hi Gene! Long time no see! I'm so happy to see your Dad and Babe enjoying themselves.
tree
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.16.158) on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 10:41 pm: |
fanobob and appell8 at the Stephens County Historical Society Military Museum honoring the Toccoa Men and their first training facility. 9-12-02
Having trouble publishing a photo. Will try again later. Sorry, all. BK
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.16.158) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 01:04 am: |
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.16.158) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 01:09 am: |
Toccoa 9-12-02
Fanobob and his wife travelled north in Georgia to intersect with the BoB tour last Thursday and wound up taking photos with Babe Heffron and Bill Guarnere along with tour leaders Chris Anderson (WWII Magazine) and Jake Powers (e506th.com).
Thanks to fanobob for sharing his photos with us.
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.16.158) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 01:13 am: |
Chris Anderson, Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron
Jake Powers, Sandy Fanobob, Doug Jordan
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.16.158) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 01:25 am: |
Doug, Bill, Mr. and Mrs. fanobob -- a great visit at Toccoa!
Doug and Sandy Fanobob.
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.16.158) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 01:32 am: |
The women just love our Bill!!
fanobob atop Currahee. I wonder if he ran it ... BK
| By Sue Wright (Swright) (163.179.130.14) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 01:46 am: |
These are great!! Bill and Babe on the bench is wonderful.I never saw two such handsome heartbreakers in my life.I just can't resist them in those uniforms.
Doug looks like he must be the happiest man on earth.What could be better than hangin'with Bill and Babe and re-tracing Easy Co. history with the history makers themselves?
Sue
| By JANE Southern England (Jane) (195.93.32.7) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 02:27 am: |
Brilliant photos all you 'fanobobs', (thanks for posting them here), I bet you had a day to remember, just like I did in Aldbourne!!!!
Best Wishes.. Jane..S.. Southern England
| By Jean-Marc Binot (194.206.251.69) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 04:14 am: |
Hello from France
I meet Bill and Babe this morning at the "Gare du Nord" in Paris. They look great and they sign my Ambrose's book. It's incredible because I was reading this book during my train's travel just before...
Jean-Marc
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.221.9) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 07:13 am: |
wow jean-marc that is great news! well the trains from gard du nord travel to the benelux, right? that would be possible as i'm planning to see them in eindhoven, the netherlands, this eve!
they sure got a busy schedule, don't they???!
very impressive...
irene (can't wait)
| By Jean-Marc Binot (194.206.251.69) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 09:16 am: |
Hello Irène
The train started at 9:30 PM. So I think that the vets are now in the Netherlands. They will celebrate the 58 th of Market Garden campaign, so you can't miss them.
Enjoy your meeting. Sincerely
JM
| By Paul Sumner (Psumner) (64.83.55.238) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 02:05 pm: |
BK - THANKS FOR THE PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul
| By Bruno (217.128.34.138) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 05:13 pm: |
Simply great !!
| By Neville Gunning (Stavelot) (195.92.67.68) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 05:40 pm: |
Hi,
I'm a new member and have some photographs from the BofB tour at Aldbourne. I see my jeep is already being shown (with writing on windshield) but I have some more that I hope you will enjoy.
Regards, Stavelot. 
| By Neville Gunning (Stavelot) (195.92.67.68) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 05:50 pm: |
Hello again,
I saved the best untill last, actually I forgot it, but it's still the best.
Hope you enjoy them.
Regards, Stavelot. 
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.21.22) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 06:41 pm: |
Neville, Great photos! You're right -- the last one is just brilliant! A face that belongs on Mount Rushmore! And those two big Combat Jump stars on the cap -- nice!
Who's the little boy? That's a great shot too. Thanks so much. BK
| By Susan Finn (Smithfinn) (24.196.144.195) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 07:03 pm: |
Wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing. Bill looks so tired. For once, Babe looks like he has more energy!
Susan
| By Jane Lindholm (Jlindholm) (204.48.169.252) on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 10:54 pm: |
My goodness....such lovely pics....bet those re-enactors were honored to have such distinguished guests...these are terrific additions to the site.
Jane
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 06:46 am: |
hi all
yep i met Bill Guarnere in eindhoven last night!!!!! still can't quite believe it! he kissed my hand (! sweet!), signed my book and noticed my paratroops t shirt. we talked a little and had a pic taken...
..it was GREAT!!!!!!!!
irene
ps no sign of mr Heffron. but it was after the ceremony so maybe he went to get a drink or something......
| By Jane Lindholm (Jlindholm) (63.149.213.59) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 02:18 pm: |
OHMYGAWD!!!!!
You met him....Wild Bill....that's so terrific....i'm proud of you....glad you made it to Einhoven...know it was touch and go for a while
Jane
| By Neville Gunning (Stavelot) (195.92.67.66) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 03:25 pm: |
Hi all,
I'm pleased that you liked the pic's, It was my first time uploading and it appears I lost the photo's descriptions, so here they are again,
Pic 1, WW2 vehicles assembled on Aldbourne Green awaiting the tour's arrival.
Pic 2, Wild Bill make's his way to the Green, Babe is already in the Pub.
Pic 3, Wild Bill reviews the troops, "all passes are cancelled" he yell's.
Pic 4, Wild Bill, Babe and myself, (sorry, I had to include it, I'm just so honoured).
Pic 5, Wild Bill, Babe and some of the re-enactors gathered around.
Pic 6, Ditto.
Pic 7, Bill had time for everyone, this is my 12 year old nephew Scott, he was over the moon when I told him Wild Bill and Babe were coming to Aldbourne. He usually spends his time on PS2 but he jumped at the chance to meet the veterans.
Pic 8, Speaks for itself.
I have also included a close up of Babe, after coming back from the Pub.
Regards to all, Neville
\image {my picture}
Edward "Babe" Heffron taking it all in.
| By Neville Gunning (Stavelot) (195.92.67.66) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 03:26 pm: |
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.26.142) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 05:58 pm: |
Irene and/or Anita, Can you write up a little report about the event? Was it a public event? Party, parade, street fair, what sort of event was it? Is this event repeated every year? Or was this year special and different? Were any other veterans from the Allied liberating forces there? Were there any ceremonies? Reenactors? I read somewhere that there would be a Paratrooper Jump to accompany the festivities.
Are these too many questions? I hope you can provide some word pictures. BK
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.21.33) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 09:19 pm: |
Here's another photo from the Toccoa visit that was missed in the first posting. BK
Sandy and Babe -- what is it about our Easy men???
| By Jane Lindholm (Jlindholm) (204.48.169.252) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 09:23 pm: |
Neville,
Pic 3, Wild Bill reviews the troops, "all passes are cancelled" he yell's.
LOL!! What a silly! 
Pic 4, Wild Bill, Babe and myself, (sorry, I had to include it, I'm just so honoured)
Don’t blame you one bit…nice to know who deserves the credit for these
Pic 7, Bill had time for everyone, this is my 12 year old nephew Scott, he was over the moon when I told him Wild Bill and Babe were coming to Aldbourne
I can see Bill has a special place in his heart for young people
Thanks for sharing…you’re so lucky
Jane
| By Jane Lindholm (Jlindholm) (204.48.169.252) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 09:27 pm: |
BK,
Oh, you must have a 'special source' who is sending you these...cool...you're so nice to share these with us...thanks
Jane
| By Lane Clark (67.35.39.162) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 10:34 pm: |
Jane,
BK does a fantastic job of keeping everybody updated on anything she feels may be of interest on all the sites associated with BoB. She is a jewel.
When I sent her those pictures I didn't realize she would post them on this site. It was nice of her to do so although I personally don't feel worthy to have my "mug" on there with the others.
This is a great site as is the WBG site and I am glad BK and Doug Jordan steered me this way.
I look forward to reading and seeing pictures as the tour progresses.
Lane Clark (fanobob)
| By Jane Lindholm (Jlindholm) (204.48.169.252) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 01:12 am: |
Lane,
So we have a name to go with the face and the nickname, LOL!!
Terrific! Glad you spoke up...Yes, I agree BK is a gem...
As for 'worthiness'...I'm familiar with your moniker from the HBO/BAND...so it's cool. Thanks for the pics
Jane
PS: BK, thanks for the tip
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.26.142) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 01:21 am: |
See post 9/18 2:09 -- Fanobob is not on the tour. BK
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (62.251.0.24) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 01:36 pm: |
BK,
yes it's a very big public event. i guess there were some 10,000-20,000 people in eindhoven standing there watching and clapping and cheering.
there are vets coming back to eindhoven every year. the lighttour is organised every year. the initial light is picked up from Bayeux in normandy (i've been there too, lovely town).
there were english, french, canadian, belgium and american vets...and a LOT of them,too!
i guess there are different vets every year.
it was organised as a parade starting from the Sep 18 square, walking straight through the towncentre, towards the town hall where the major held a long speech. after that, the national anthems were sung ( english, french, american and dutch ones).
i didn't hear about a Paratroop Jump this year, but i know some years it is a part of the festivities/ceremony (maybe they do that every 5 years or so, i really don't know, sorry).
there were some reenactors, mostly riding old bikes and motorcycles and on ww2 vehicles.
i will but my pics up here as soon as possible, ok?
irene
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.18.182) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 03:46 pm: |
Irene, Thanks. It sounds like it was great! I've seen photos on some of the Dutch sites and other places of the big hoopla every year. It think it's wonderful that the whole area turns out to honor those men from the Allied Forces every year. No wonder the vets really enjoy visiting Holland! I look forward to your photos. Thanks again, BK
| By Lane Clark (67.35.40.92) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 04:59 pm: |
Jane,
Thanks. I remember your name from the HBO/Band board as well and enjoyed reading the contributions you made to that board.
Irene,
I was in your country in June and saw the Airborne Museum between Best and Son in addition to the Hartenstein Museum just out from Arnhem. Too bad I didn't know of you then. I would have asked for some advice on other sites to see. Everybody we came in contact with in your country was most helpful and very friendly to us. A great visit. Look forward to another.
Lane
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (62.251.0.24) on Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 05:02 am: |
Lane and BK,
thanks for your kind words...when i read them i feel really proud to be Dutch...!
Lane, yes i could have told you of about 94718741874 other places to go to and see! too bad...but it sounds like you had a great trip! if you are ever planning on coming back for a second one, let me know! my parents live only 5 km from the National War Museum in Overloon, and i live in Nijmegen, where there are lots and LOTS of things to see! i've visited the Hartenstein Museum in Oosterbeek about a month ago, a few weeks before my friend and me participated in a Airborne walking tour starting from the Museum. (it was HUGE there were over 30,000 people!).
anyway i'm glad you enjoyed your trip!
regards,
irene vrinte
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (62.251.0.24) on Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 03:59 am: |
BK,
i just found out there WAS a jump yesterday. 9 vets and some 250 other people. i will try to find some newspaper article about it tomorrow and then put it up here!
irene
ps i wish i had been there at arnhem yesterday! must have been a lovely site! but i hear they do it every year so maybe next year!
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (62.251.0.24) on Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 07:22 am: |
everyone;
this newspaper article is from ‘the Limburger’ (Limburg is the province of the Netherlands my parents live in). dated Saturday Sep 21 2002. (written by Bert Alberts)
it is not the one about 'the Jump' yesterday (that one will hopefully be put up here tomorrow).
NB in Ysselsteyn there is one of the few German cemeteries.
‘Remembrance with stand-in-veterans
Remembering the dead with the former enemies is still in its infancy. Many Britons
came to Ysselsteyn yesterday to commemorate those who fell during operation Market Garden. Of the few attending Germans no one had fought during WW2.
It looked so nice in the press report of the foundation Market Garden Veteran Association. ‘Some 160 British veterans will attend a remembrance ceremony, together with their former opponents.’ But you mustn’t take ‘opponents’ too literally, so it seems. It are Germans, the former enemy, but none of them has ever looked an Englishman in the eye at Market Garden. The Germans, partly in uniform, but a lot of them civilians, are all reservists.
Dieter Fischer can easily explain that. “We don’t have a veteran culture, like the English, French and Dutch”, says the chairman of the German department of a European association of war veterans and victims. “We lost the war and that is something entirely different.” After 1945 no one was proud of the German soldiers and the soldiers themselves lay low. Saying the words ‘soldier’ and ‘German’ meant thinking ‘nazi’ at the same time. “More over, veteran associations were untill 1955 prohibited by the occupation force in the Federal Republic of Germany”, says Fisher. In Germany people thought of the millions of war victims and soldier widows first. Fischer himself was still a toddler during the War. “I was wearing brown underwear, but for a different reason.”
It looks like a compensation today, the presence of Johannes Reintjes. He is the only one of the German present who really experienced WW2. As a child he was wounded and crippled at the attack at Rees, near his home town Emmerich. A stand-in-veteran, just like the other reservists.
No wonder al the German military present seem so toned up and smart, in comparison with the English WW2 veterans.
Like Thomas Woods (78) from Doncaster (Yorkshire). He sits at a bench at the edge of the
immense God’s acre in Ysselsteyn. Hundreds of metres further on are his mates, the dignitary and the music chapels. Woods cannot stand up for such a long period. De aged man is wearing a black beret and dark blue jacket, decorated with an impressive amount of medals.
Woods was a truck driver during the War. He landed in Normandy in the summer of ’44, he participated in the advance through France and Belgium, and was part of the catastrophic campaign at Arnhem. “In September we were in Arnhem. ‘By Christmas you are going to be home’ said our commanders. Not untill April 1945 were we back at the Rhine”, says the Brit without emotion. During Market Garden the Britons lost 8,000 soldiers in three weeks time, according to Woods. Seventy-five years later, he hasn’t forgotten the War, but neither does he think much about it. At every visit to the Netherlands, everything comes back up again, de admits. Visits that, thanks to among others Dutch organisation the Market Garden Veterans Association, take place almost every year. Untill now, Woods didn’t see a single German during his visits. But he thinks asking Germans to attend the ceremony is a good initiative, even if those aren’t ‘real’ veterans. Many of those veterans lay before him as he speaks (over 30,000). “I think more than half of them only went into the War because they had to, just like us. They haven’t grown old”, Woods says. “We have. This is the least we can do for them”. He gets up and walks toward the band.
The ceremony has ended; the English ‘vets’ and the German semi-veterans are ready
for their joint dinner.’
irene
ps please forgive me my spelling mistakes. it was often difficult to find an appropriate translation for words/sentences...
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.26.142) on Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 02:08 pm: |
Great reporting, Irene! I have seen some photos on the new StrikeHold504th.com site. I'll look forward to your next post with the Jump news story. Thanks.
Maybe next year is right, although I'm aiming for a long trip to England, France, Benelux in 2004 -- the 60th anniversary. If I get there sooner, so much the better, but it certainly sounds like the Dutch public puts on a great liberation celebration as well as a somber commemoration of those lost. BK
| By Paul Sumner (Psumner) (64.83.55.238) on Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 03:12 pm: |
Irene, very enlightening article, thanks for the post. BK, my wife and I are planning the same trip for 2004. Certainly want to be in Normandy during that time.
Paul
| By Anita ten Kate (Anita) (217.120.70.30) on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 06:56 am: |
Hi Irene, what page did you find this articel? We have DDL too, but I only saw a picture of a soldier on the front page, and a title, not more.Do you think we have a different print as in north Limburg? Greets, Anita.
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 07:13 am: |
anita,
i think you may have a different version of that newspaper. at the front page was this english vet. and at the part 'regio' was a little article too. i put those together.
irene
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 10:05 am: |
hi all,
i'm afraid the article about 'the Jump' last Saturday turned out to be a rather short one...here it is anyway...
from newspaper 'de Telegraaf', dated Monday 9/23/02
'Remembrance Battle for Arnhem
Oosterbeek,
A few dozen British and Polish WW2 veterans commemorated operation Market Garden and their fallen comrades yesterday morning, at the military cemetary at Oosterbeek.
A couple of thousand (!) people attended their memorial service, among them dignitary from the Netherlands, Great Britain and Poland.
Schoolchildren lay flowers on the graves of the perished. The Airborne Cemetary at Oosterbeek serves as a final resting place for some 1,700 soldiers.
A period of remembrance of the Battle of Arnhem began last Friday, as people gathered at the foot of the John Frostbridge in Arnhem.
On Saturday, ten veterans jumped out of a plane above 'the Ginkel(se) Heath' at Ede, right where they landed in 1944. All veterans made it to the ground safely. The youngest one age 77, the oldest one 83 years of age. Also, one of them is blind. '
you see, a very very short article. hope you liked to read it anyway. again; sorry for any spelling mistakes.
irene
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.21.52) on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 10:46 pm: |
Irene, Don't be sorry. All of this helps us to flesh out the story of the commemorations in Holland. Thanks very much. BK
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (62.251.0.24) on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 03:48 am: |
very nice pics indeed!
irene
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (62.251.0.24) on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 04:02 am: |
gosh i wish i had a digital camera the pics are so much better....(and easier to put them online, i guess!)...
| By Doug Jordan (207.172.11.148) on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 09:55 pm: |
Jane, sorry we were so close and yet so far. I see that I made a corner of one of your photos. The time in Aldbourne was magical, and these photos capture some of it.
My respects to all those in Aldbourne who produced such a wonderful and warm event. y.o.s., Doug Jordan
| By Marigold Papa (Marigold) (203.170.2.82) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 09:20 am: |
Yikes! Not good. 
gold
| By Chris Langlois (Chrisdfw) (12.241.64.130) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 01:16 pm: |
The following are from Irene in Holland...
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 01:19 pm: |
hi everybody. above and below the pics i was talking about. mind you, only the last one is really from the BoB (bill&babe) 'memorialtour', but i think you'll find the rest interesting too.....(well, i hope so!)...
first one: this is what the Airborne Cemetary at Oosterbeek looks like when you arrive. very, very peaceful and quiet (cornfields surrounding the cemetary).
next one is taken at the cemetary too.
it reads;
'flowers in the wind
this plaque is dedicated to the children of this region who grace this cemetary every year paying hommage to the men who gave their lives for LIBERATION
Arnhem Veterans Club 1944'
this is the grave of Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) David Samuel Anthony Lord. I looked up some information about him;
he was with the 271 sqdn. of the Royal Air Force. He died Sep 19 1944 at age 30. Details are from the London Gazette Nov 13 1945; 'he was supplying troops when he got surrounded in the air. the plane was severely damaged and set on fire. he was justified abandoning the mission, but with the target only a few miles away and the supplies very much needed, he went down to 900 ft under intense fire and succesfully dropped his cargo. told his crew to abandon the plane when it was full in flames. 1 man survived. he displayed supreme valour and self-sacrifice.'
so he did indeed. what a moving story.
some of you might recognize this one; it's Hotel Hartenstein, Museum of the British 1st Airborne (also in Oosterbeek).
i read Bill and Babe visited the museum last Thursday Sep 19. i went there a few days later and came across a plaque. didn't bring my camera with me () so i'll only tell you what it read. i really hope Bill&Babe have seen this plaque and read it.
'To the people of Gelderland
50 years ago British and Polish Airborne soldiers fought here against overwhelming odds to open the way into Germany and bring the war to an early end. Instead we brought death and destruction for which you have never blamed us.
This stone marks our admiration for your great courage remembering especially the women who tended our wounded. In the long winter that followed your families risked death by hiding Allied soldiers and airmen, while members of the Resistance helped many to safety.
You took us into your homes as fugitives and friends, we took you forever into our hearts. This strong bond will continue long after we are all gone. 1944~september~1994'
all i can say to that is 'amen'...
ok next one:
these ones are taken a few weeks later at the annual Airborne walking tour at Oosterbeek (again). This event marks the beginning of a period of remembrance and ceremonies all over the country.
soldiers getting ready to start walking.
as you can see here a LOT of people participate in the tour (30,000+ this year, a record! ), among which many children and soldiers.
a bit of an unclear picture (sorry about that). it shows the forest (between Oosterbeek and Wolfheze) and the allied flags.
with a beautiful view (Arnhem and the Lower Rhine), me and my friend Karin. (she's the one on the left).
i just had to take a pic when i saw this man! don't know if he's a reenactor, but he sure is wearing the right uniform! (101st Screaming Eagle).
finally; the finish!
saved the best one to end this post with; me not believing Wild Bill Guarnere is actually signing my book! (at the Sep 18 ceremony in Eindhoven)...
this was it folks, hope you liked them!
irene
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.21.174) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 01:49 pm: |
Irene's photos:
Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek
This is what the Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek looks like when you arrive. Very, very peaceful and quiet; cornfields surround the cemetery.
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.21.174) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 01:52 pm: |
The entryway plaque at Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek:
It reads:
Flowers in the Wind
This plaque is dedicated to the children of this region who grace this cemetery every year paying homage to the men who gave their lives for LIBERATION.
Arnhem Veterans Club 1944
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.21.174) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 01:57 pm: |
Grave of Flt Lieutenant David Samuel Anthony Lord
Flt Lt Lord was with the 271st Squadron of the Royal Air Force. He died Sep 19, 1944, at age 30. Details are from the London Gazette Nov 13, 1945: "He was supplying troops when he was surrounded in the air. The plane was severely damaged and set on fire. He was justified abandoning the mission, but with the target only a few miles away and the supplies very much needed, he went down to 900 ft under intense fire and successfully dropped his cargo. He told his crew to abandon the plane when it was full of flames. One man survived. He displayed supreme valour and self-sacrifice."
So he did indeed. What a moving story
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.21.174) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 02:00 pm: |
Hotel Hartstein, now the Museum of the British 1st Airborne, Oosterbeek
Some of you will recognize this structure from the film, "A Bridge Too Far".
| By homefront41 (Homefront41) (198.81.21.174) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 02:06 pm: |
Irene, Great shots. I'm very touched at how widely these dates are commemorated every year. I believe Dutch parents do a much better job of teaching their children their recent history than some American parents.
Thanks for adding more pictures to the Market Garden history. BK
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 02:21 pm: |
many, many thanks to Chris and BK for helping me out here...;)
(i have to say, they did all the work).
irene
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 02:29 pm: |
BK,
not everyone is as interested in history as i am... but i agree; on the whole people my age living in holland are very much aware of what happened almost 60 years ago!
irene
| By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (213.123.76.60) on Monday, September 30, 2002 - 05:44 pm: |
Hello Irene,
Many thanks for the articles and the photographs. I will be showing them to various members of my family as a few are "Red Devils". My Great Uncle fought at Arnhem and as much as he does not like to talk about what happened there, I am sure that he (and others) will fully apreciate your hard work.
I am hoping to visit the area with members of my family in September 2004, which I am sure, will be a very emotional time. Arnhem is sacred to the "Red Devils"and each generation of recruits tries its best to emulate the spirit of those who served there.
Regards, Jonathan.
| By Jane Lindholm (Jlindholm) (204.48.169.252) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 12:04 am: |
Irene,
Glad those pics finally saw the light of day, LOL!! They look terrific....you and Wild Bill together at last....you've got a terrific souvenir there....thanks for sharing.
Jane
| By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (62.7.68.252) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 01:43 am: |
I was interested in an earlier posting which discussed German veterans associations. I found it very enlightening as I was under the impression that such associations existed? I have previously read of at least three. One for the veterans of the battleship, Bismarck. One concerning former members of the Afrika Corps (from Rommel's biography, approved by his family)and one concerning former members of the SS fighting units. I know that the latter produced a regular journal at least into the seventies. Perhaps these (and no-doubt others?) came into existance sometime after the date posted above?
Also I have a wealth of material concerning the battle at Arnhem which I have not considered posting here as this site is dedicated to mainly just one company of the US Airborne. However, these quick snippets may be of interest:
The Brits and Poles were fighting against seasoned SS units which were in respite after fighting on the Eastern Front. It goes without saying that the SS got the best equipment first. After the battle an SS survey revealed that they had lost over half their fighting vehicles, Tigers and the like.
"The fighting had been harder than anything we'd experienced on the Ostfront". SS soldier.
During the battle, a "Red Devil" sergeant and his men were holed up in a Dutch house which formed part of the perimeter. Suddenly an SS Tiger tank crashed through into the rear area of the house. Registering a drop in the morale of his men (who cold blame them???) the sergeant calmly dialed the Dutch police: "Hello? Yes, I'd like to report a rather large intruder in my backyard".
George Luz would have approved?
Regards, Jonathan.
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 05:52 am: |
i think he certainly would ;)
about the german veterans association; i haven't looked into that yet. your information sounds interesting. i'll see what i can come up with. no promises, sorry, i'm very busy studying at the moment
irene
| By irene vrinte (Gijoe) (131.174.244.2) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 02:08 pm: |
sorry for the delay people; a friend from eindhoven sent this article to me today. it's from the weekly newspaper 'Big Eindhoven' (translated). Wednesday September 25. by Dorothée Foole. it's not exactly an in-depth article, but hey it's about the 2002 band of brothers tour so i was thinking it belongs here...
'Warveterans Bill and Babe:
"thanks people of Eindhoven, it was again fantastic!"
Eindhoven-
Sometimes when you see the very realistic filmversions of D-Day, it's hard to believe anyone survived. Bill and Babe, born and bred in Philadelphia, were there too June 6 1944. They also participated in the liberation of Eindhoven on September 18 1944.
Babe was even the first american to enter Eindhoven, his platoonsergeant Bill right behind him. There was cheering all over. Almost 60 years later Bill and Babe are the ones saying thank you. "Thank you people of Eindhoven, the reception was again fantastic!"
Bill and Babe; they are living legends and a conversation with them is an adventure in itself. As 20 year old youngsters they were sent to the battlefield. "But you have to be young to do something like that, when you're older you know more and then you'll be more careful!"
They don't watch D-Day movies. "We never go to the movies. Why should we; we've been there ourselves." They made an exception for the mini-series Band of Brothers. "That one is about us."
They remember every bit from the liberation of Eindhoven.
Ed 'Babe' Heffron: "They called us Angels from the Sky, when we were dropped above Son. The people sat on their roofs watching us. Our first mission was capturing the brigde over the Wilhelmina-canal."
They talk about this period with a great deal of animation. It is obvious they rather not talk about the dark side of the story. Although Bill Guarnere does tell us that 50 out of 150 men from his platoon were killed and almost all the others were wounded. Bill himself was wounded also. "During the final fight of the Ardenne-offensive December 16 1944. My leg was beyond saving and had to be amputated."
Bill and Babe were two of those guys who survived and got to return home. They said goodbye to the army forever. "We get the hell out of it."
In 1954 they returned to Eindhoven for the first time. "In 1954 and 1959 we stayed with a family at the 'Hoogstraat'. These people have died. The other times we stayed at hotels. We have flown back to Eindhoven for at least ten times. The welcome has never been that warm in any other city. We are still being treated as heroes, and that's why it's our turn to say thank you. When Eindhoven celebrates its 60th Liberation, we hope to be here again. That's why; thanks, we'll meet again." '
thanks to Melanie Janssen who was kind enough to send me this article!
irene
| By Jonathan Jones (Jonjones) (213.122.104.37) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 06:41 pm: |
And thanks to you, Irene for sharing all of this with us. I for one appreciate everything you've posted. I am already looking forward to the day when I cross the North Sea to Holland.
Regards, Jonathan.
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