Arnhem 07!!! (1 Viewer)

Beaufighter,i second the previous motion.That info would be really helpful.

Rob
 
Scott,before you go its well worth reading up on Robert Cains vc winning actions at Arnhem, they are amazing.(I also believe he was Jeremy Clarksons father in law)

Rob
 
Hi Guys,

I have many fond memories of Holland and the Dutch people going back more years than I care to remember...but anyway...

First visit to Holland in 1970, I was still at college and myself and some buddies went “hitch-hiking” around Europe one Summer...France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Belgium. In Amsterdam I got absolutely wrecked on Heineken — one of the best nights in my life but one of the worst hangovers the next day!

Second visit to Holland in 1975, I was in the Royal Marines at the time and my unit (45 Commando) went on exercise with the Dutch Marines “The Cloggies”. A week “in the field” was followed by a 48 hour pass in Amsterdam. Needless to say much more Heineken consumed and our Dutch fellow marines introduced us to the many delights and temptations of Amsterdam’s famous and notorious “red- light” district. Ah the sweet memories of youth...but that as they say is another story!

Third visit to Holland in 1995, K&C had just launched our first “ARNHEM’44” series and I was determined to visit the said town and see all the famous places I had read and heard about.

I arrived early one September morning and headed straight for the Hartenstein Hotel (the British Airborne HQ) now a magnificent museum to the battle. Arriving before it officially opened I was greeted by one of its curators Mr. Wybo Boersma (who I believe is now the director).

He very kindly took me in and gave me a cup of coffee while I explained who King & Country was and what we do. I also told him that I wanted to present the museum with two of the first sets of our Arnhem ‘44 series which we had just produced at that time.

Wybo could not have been more friendly...he immediately took me on a personal tour of the Museum and then a “behind-the-scenes” look at their store which was simply amazing. Over the years this Museum must have the finest (and largest) collection of genuine British WW2 Airborne uniforms...equipment and weapons to be found anywhere. It seems that during and after the battle many Arnhem citizens just picked up discarded British uniforms and equipment and stored them away and then...in quite a few cases simply passed away forgetting about what they had in their attics.

At the same time, during the battle, tons of British supplies were air dropped all over the area. Some the Germans Captured...others were lost in the woods surrounding Arnhem...other stuff was buried to avoid the Germans getting it.

Years later it was still turning up!!! Wybo showed me a long parachute container that had been “dug up” a couple of weeks before in someone’s garden. In it, perfectly preserved, were army medical supplies and literally hundreds of field dressings — all dated 1943 or 1944 and in “mint” condition, he very kindly gave me two as a keepsake.

After we explored the Museum — top to bottom...it was now early afternoon and Wybo was about to go “off duty” he asked me if I would like a “battlefield tour”. Would I ever?

Anyway off we went in his car to see some of the original LZ’s and DZ’s (Landing Zones for gliders...Drop Zones for Paras) on the outskirts of town. Most of these large fields bordered by forest and woods are still as they were in 1944.

Wybo would point out to me where different units landed and deployed and what they did next. I was particularly interested in the route the Division’s “Recce” squadron in their attack jeeps took into Arnhem itself.

Off we went down a little forest road and soon came upon a railway line where one of many German ambushes took place. Wybo knew exactly where the German machine gunners were and where the British were “pinned-down”. From this point we decided to follow John Frost’s 2nd Parachute Batallion’s route to the famous bridge. Again on the way Wybo would point out famous battle sites and explain what had happened there.

Eventually just as dusk was falling we arrived at the famous bridge...now called appropriately enough “John Frost Bridge”. The actual structure itself is a modern reconstruction built-in the same style as the original which was destroyed in 1945.

It was intensely moving to stand on almost the same position as the men of 2 Para and imagine yourself “back in time” all these years ago. To look across that bridge and see a huge German armoured column of battle-hardened SS Panzer Grenadiers coming your way and all you have are a few Brens...Lee Enfields...Stens...Piats and a couple of 6 pounder anti tank guns. Believe me it’s a very humbling experience.

After paying our respects at the small memorial plaque on the bridge Wybo very kindly invited me to visit his nearby house where his wife prepared a delicious Dutch meal for all three of us. After a very convivial evening (a few more Heinekens) I boarded the last evening train out of Arnhem headed back to Amsterdam.

What an amazing visit...what an incredible place and what gracious Dutch hosts! I will remember it forever.

I look forward to K&C’s revisit to “ARNHEM’44” in 2007. It will be a worthy tribute to the men of the British 1st Airborne and the incredible bravery and fortitude of the Dutch people!

Best wishes and...happy collecting!

Andy C.
 
Andy,

Did you present Mr. Boersma with those two sets of Arnhem figures? I hope that that wonderful museum and its friendly and knowledgeable curator got an entire K&C Arnhem set up. I can think of no better place for K&C to be displayed (except my third floor). Terrific story!

Regards,

Louis
 
Nice memories, and amazing to think of the buried items that may still be there.
 
King & Country said:
Hi Guys,

I have many fond memories of Holland and the Dutch people going back more years than I care to remember...but anyway...

First visit to Holland in 1970, I was still at college and myself and some buddies went “hitch-hiking” around Europe one Summer...France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Belgium. In Amsterdam I got absolutely wrecked on Heineken — one of the best nights in my life but one of the worst hangovers the next day!

Second visit to Holland in 1975, I was in the Royal Marines at the time and my unit (45 Commando) went on exercise with the Dutch Marines “The Cloggies”. A week “in the field” was followed by a 48 hour pass in Amsterdam. Needless to say much more Heineken consumed and our Dutch fellow marines introduced us to the many delights and temptations of Amsterdam’s famous and notorious “red- light” district. Ah the sweet memories of youth...but that as they say is another story!

Third visit to Holland in 1995, K&C had just launched our first “ARNHEM’44” series and I was determined to visit the said town and see all the famous places I had read and heard about.

I arrived early one September morning and headed straight for the Hartenstein Hotel (the British Airborne HQ) now a magnificent museum to the battle. Arriving before it officially opened I was greeted by one of its curators Mr. Wybo Boersma (who I believe is now the director).

He very kindly took me in and gave me a cup of coffee while I explained who King & Country was and what we do. I also told him that I wanted to present the museum with two of the first sets of our Arnhem ‘44 series which we had just produced at that time.

Wybo could not have been more friendly...he immediately took me on a personal tour of the Museum and then a “behind-the-scenes” look at their store which was simply amazing. Over the years this Museum must have the finest (and largest) collection of genuine British WW2 Airborne uniforms...equipment and weapons to be found anywhere. It seems that during and after the battle many Arnhem citizens just picked up discarded British uniforms and equipment and stored them away and then...in quite a few cases simply passed away forgetting about what they had in their attics.

At the same time, during the battle, tons of British supplies were air dropped all over the area. Some the Germans Captured...others were lost in the woods surrounding Arnhem...other stuff was buried to avoid the Germans getting it.

Years later it was still turning up!!! Wybo showed me a long parachute container that had been “dug up” a couple of weeks before in someone’s garden. In it, perfectly preserved, were army medical supplies and literally hundreds of field dressings — all dated 1943 or 1944 and in “mint” condition, he very kindly gave me two as a keepsake.

After we explored the Museum — top to bottom...it was now early afternoon and Wybo was about to go “off duty” he asked me if I would like a “battlefield tour”. Would I ever?

Anyway off we went in his car to see some of the original LZ’s and DZ’s (Landing Zones for gliders...Drop Zones for Paras) on the outskirts of town. Most of these large fields bordered by forest and woods are still as they were in 1944.

Wybo would point out to me where different units landed and deployed and what they did next. I was particularly interested in the route the Division’s “Recce” squadron in their attack jeeps took into Arnhem itself.

Off we went down a little forest road and soon came upon a railway line where one of many German ambushes took place. Wybo knew exactly where the German machine gunners were and where the British were “pinned-down”. From this point we decided to follow John Frost’s 2nd Parachute Batallion’s route to the famous bridge. Again on the way Wybo would point out famous battle sites and explain what had happened there.

Eventually just as dusk was falling we arrived at the famous bridge...now called appropriately enough “John Frost Bridge”. The actual structure itself is a modern reconstruction built-in the same style as the original which was destroyed in 1945.

It was intensely moving to stand on almost the same position as the men of 2 Para and imagine yourself “back in time” all these years ago. To look across that bridge and see a huge German armoured column of battle-hardened SS Panzer Grenadiers coming your way and all you have are a few Brens...Lee Enfields...Stens...Piats and a couple of 6 pounder anti tank guns. Believe me it’s a very humbling experience.

After paying our respects at the small memorial plaque on the bridge Wybo very kindly invited me to visit his nearby house where his wife prepared a delicious Dutch meal for all three of us. After a very convivial evening (a few more Heinekens) I boarded the last evening train out of Arnhem headed back to Amsterdam.

What an amazing visit...what an incredible place and what gracious Dutch hosts! I will remember it forever.

I look forward to K&C’s revisit to “ARNHEM’44” in 2007. It will be a worthy tribute to the men of the British 1st Airborne and the incredible bravery and fortitude of the Dutch people!

Best wishes and...happy collecting!

Andy C.
Click to expand...

Andy

Thank you for sharing this story with us. I for one enjoyed reading it.
One thing Toy Soldiers do is help keep real History alive as it should.
 
As Oz said can you imagine the stuff still there waiting to be found.Great story Andy, can't wait for the new paras.

Rob
 
A very nice story, adds much to the collecting experience!

Njja
 
There is something so moving about the whole Arnhem story.The heroism and bravery displayed of both soldiers and civilians against overwhelming odds is inspiring.Arnhem is not like some other battlefields such as WW1,Waterloo where little has changed,much biulding has gone on and it doesn't seem to have so much of the'battlefield atmosphere' .But a very special place none the less.I think the 2007 release of return to Arnhem must be one of the most eagerly anticipated releases in K&C's history.

By the way two excellant dvds are available on Arnhem from the 'Battlefield' and 'Line of fire' series.Well worth picking up.

Rob
 
:DThanks a lot Andy for a great story!!!!:D I think I'll take a shovel and spade with me!!!!!:D;)
 
Cheers Squadron Members:

As promised, here is the website address. Submit all of the information requested & make certain you mention that you are planning a trip to Belgium primarily to visit the battlefields in reference to the Bulge, etc. and would appreciate any applicable material on the subject. In a couple of weeks you will receive a nice package of some very useful information/logistics which will enhance your history or prep you for one hell of an adventure back in history. Happy hunting as always. If you have any trouble and or need any more information, please let me know & I will be happy to help out. I halso have a growing library on this campaign alone so ask away! Here it is...

www.visitbelgium.com/brochure.htm

Hang Tough,
Beaufighter
 
Thanks for the link Beaufighter but it looks like they will only send stuff to US/Canada.

Rob
 
I must admit that I did not consider the European Community-my apologies for that. Perhaps, they have an international office/website that is similar to the U.S. version to help all of you across the pond. Best of luck!
 
Yeah i found the UK branch and they are sending me some stuff,thanks again

Rob
 
Beaufighter said:
Cheers Squadron Members:

As promised, here is the website address. Submit all of the information requested & make certain you mention that you are planning a trip to Belgium primarily to visit the battlefields in reference to the Bulge, etc. and would appreciate any applicable material on the subject. In a couple of weeks you will receive a nice package of some very useful information/logistics which will enhance your history or prep you for one hell of an adventure back in history. Happy hunting as always. If you have any trouble and or need any more information, please let me know & I will be happy to help out. I halso have a growing library on this campaign alone so ask away! Here it is...

www.visitbelgium.com/brochure.htm

Hang Tough,
Beaufighter
Click to expand...

Thanks Beaufighter - I appreciate the web contact.
 
Cheers:

Here is a great Arnhem guide book (three available as of 09 February) listed on eBay (tem number: 190024872863) for those of you wanting to make the historical pilgrimage there. Here is the description:
Arnhem in Lincolnshire and the Surrounding Area - A Memorial Trail by Dennis Burt, published by Lancfile Publishing 1st edition 2006. 28 pages paperback.

This booklet is intended as a guide to the rich trail of memorials associated with the 1st Airborne Division that landed at Arnhem as part of 'Operation Market Garden' in September 1944. 8,905 men of the Division were landed at Arnhem and only 1,854 were evacuated. Those that returned often erected a memorial to their fallen comrades or in appreciation of their temporary homes in the area.

The contents are divided into:-

The Northern Group

The Southern Group

Appendix l - Location of Units in the Area of 1st British airborne Division, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Air Landing Brigade, 4th Parachute Brigade, Divisional Units, 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade and the United States Army Air Force Units.

Appendix 2 - Other Notable Airborne Forces Memorials in the U.K.

Illustrated with black/white photographs.

Hope this helps someone out!
 
This sounds very interesting,will have to get hold of it.

Rob
 
I just want to leave you gentlemen with one thought - before the Might British Army rolled their way into Arnhem - someone had done it before - long ago:

NAPOLEON !

:eek: :eek: :eek:
 
OK Ron, we get it. Napoleon, Napoleon, Napoleon:rolleyes:

So you ARE obsessive compulsive. Well, well, well, you truly are a toy soldier collector. I was wondering if you, since you are a lobbyist:rolleyes: would fit in. But you have proven your metal sir. And by the by, Wellington won:p :D
 
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