Battle of Arnhem commemoration 2010 [Warning: Pictures]

[DarkFish]

So, I went to the yearly commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem. Thought I'd share some of the pictures I shot:

The day started with about 700 paratroopers jumping from C130's, in groups of 20 or 30:
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/DF_3852/herdenking%20slag%20om%20arnhem%202010/sl_arnh_2010_1.jpg

I guess this is what the Ginkel Heath must have looked like 66 years ago:
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/DF_3852/herdenking%20slag%20om%20arnhem%202010/sl_arnh_2010_2-1.jpg

Lots of old vehicles present:
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/DF_3852/herdenking%20slag%20om%20arnhem%202010/sl_arnh_2010_3.jpg

Later today there was an airshow featuring mainly old planes, first off the Boeing-Stearman N2S-3:
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/DF_3852/herdenking%20slag%20om%20arnhem%202010/sl_arnh_2010_4.jpg

Next a few other good ones, including a Yak-3U, a Spitfire and a Mustang, all of which I unfortunately enough have not been able to photograph:cry:
But then came the highlight of the show: the B-17 "Sally B". What a sight, to have such a monster fly directly overhead:DL
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/DF_3852/herdenking%20slag%20om%20arnhem%202010/sl_arnh_2010_5.jpg

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/DF_3852/herdenking%20slag%20om%20arnhem%202010/sl_arnh_2010_6.jpg

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/DF_3852/herdenking%20slag%20om%20arnhem%202010/sl_arnh_2010_9.jpg

[The Third Man]

Wasn't this part of market garden? Portrayed in the movie 'A Bridge Too Far'. ??

[Raptor1]

Very nice.

Wasn't this part of market garden? Portrayed in the movie 'A Bridge Too Far'. ??

Yes, it was. There was another less known battle later on (in 1945) which ended in the Allies taking the city, but this refers to the first battle during Market Garden.

[Gerald]

:up:

[DarkFish]

Yes, it was. There was another less known battle later on (in 1945) which ended in the Allies taking the city, but this refers to the first battle during Market Garden.True. It was in the aftermath of this second battle that my father was born (not in Arnhem, as all inhabitants of Arnhem and the villages around it were evacuated after the 1st battle). With some fighting still going on in the perimeter, my heavily pregnant grandma was carried across the lines in a wheelbarrow by the farmers where she was staying. The Canadians sheltered her in one of their makeshift bunkers, and that's where my dad was born.:)

From what I've heard from all the stories, both battles completely changed life around here. With the entire area bombed flat, my father still recalls growing up amidst the ruins. The farmlands were littered with bomb craters (makes great playing for a child:O:), and every so often live ammo was found (makes not so great playing for a child :o:dead:). With everything destroyed and no money to quickly rebuild it, it was a very hard time to grow up.

[Jimbuna]

I remember seeing that a few years back :yeah:

[CCIP]

The B-17 is always a tremendous sight to behold in the sky! One of them was at an airshow not too far from me a few weeks ago, and sadly I had missed it. Next time, perhaps - here's to the surviving birds flying for many, many more years to come.

And of course, a salute to the memory of this historic operation and all those who fought in it :salute:

[Oberon]

Fantastic pictures, thank you.
Respect to those who fought and fell during Market Garden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLiRgNFvfGw

[Bubblehead1980]

very cool!:salute:

[krashkart]

True. It was in the aftermath of this second battle that my father was born (not in Arnhem, as all inhabitants of Arnhem and the villages around it were evacuated after the 1st battle). With some fighting still going on in the perimeter, my heavily pregnant grandma was carried across the lines in a wheelbarrow by the farmers where she was staying. The Canadians sheltered her in one of their makeshift bunkers, and that's where my dad was born.:)

From what I've heard from all the stories, both battles completely changed life around here. With the entire area bombed flat, my father still recalls growing up amidst the ruins. The farmlands were littered with bomb craters (makes great playing for a child:O:), and every so often live ammo was found (makes not so great playing for a child :o:dead:). With everything destroyed and no money to quickly rebuild it, it was a very hard time to grow up.

That is truly some great insight. Thanks so much for sharing. :DL

[papa_smurf]

Great pictures:yeah: A truly bold plan that ultimately failed in its objectives, but is now remembered for the heroic action of the British 1st Airborne Division.

[Jimbuna]

Great pictures:yeah: A truly bold plan that ultimately failed in its objectives, but is now remembered for the heroic action of the British 1st Airborne Division.

Montgomery's toughest time, especially after his success in North Africa...he took a lot of criticism for the failure.

[Oberon]

Montgomery's toughest time, especially after his success in North Africa...he took a lot of criticism for the failure.

Aye, Monty, he's one chap I've never really known what to make of. :hmmm:

[DarkFish]

Great pictures:yeah: A truly bold plan that ultimately failed in its objectives, but is now remembered for the heroic action of the British 1st Airborne Division.Indeed. The operation may have been a complete failure, but the Brits and Poles are still being hailed for it. After all, they did fight for our freedom.

Lest we forget:salute:

[TLAM Strike]

Montgomery's toughest time, especially after his success in North Africa...he took a lot of criticism for the failure.

He took some criticism for his operations in France (both times), Sicily, Italy and Belgium as well.

... well if you look at it that way North Africa was the only time he wasn't criticized. :haha:

While I do question some of his command decisions, I approve of his decisions on how to operated his units- he was a very practical and modern commander in an army still mentally stuck in the Victorian age.

[Jimbuna]

He took some criticism for his operations in France (both times), Sicily, Italy and Belgium as well.

... well if you look at it that way North Africa was the only time he wasn't criticized. :haha:

While I do question some of his command decisions, I approve of his decisions on how to operated his units- he was a very practical and modern commander in an army still mentally stuck in the Victorian age.

I think a lot of it was down to the fact he didn't automatically agree with what his American superiors were proposing, in fact I suspect he probably resented the situation at times.

He was quite cavalier IMO and wanted to go it alone or do it his way at times but not even Churchill could grant him that priveledge.

[sharkbit]

A very good book that talks a little bit about Monty and the bad feelings that many American generals had for him is "The Last River: The Rhine Crossings of 1945" by Peter Allen.

While not the main focus of the book, it talks about how the American press viewed him, how American generals viewed him, and how Eisenhower had to deal with the situation.

I know there are probably much better books dealing with Monty and the politics surrounding him, but this is the first book that came to mind that I've read that dealt with the subject in a little detail.
Plus, I would highly recommend the book. It goes into great detail on the Rhine crossings and the battles leading up to the crossing. Alot of eyewitness accounts mixed in. :up:

:)