PW_3_2020_230720_flip

Article

A Bridge Too Far: 10 Region visit the

Arnhem Airborne Memorial

WWII sites in Arnhem Steve Hunt , 10 Region Secretary Arnhem, in the Netherlands, was the destination for South East Essex Branch’s Battle Field Tour. We wanted to visit the scene of Operation Market-Garden, the fateful Allied plan to seize key bridges across the Rhine, and speed up the end of WWII. W e broke our journey in Folkstone , before an early morning trip through the Tunnel. The overnight stay gave an opportunity to renew friendships and wonder at the décor of our budget hotel, Next day we visited many of the sites in and around Arnhem, including the John Frost Bridge, which is featured in the film, A Bridge too Far. Major General John Frost commanded the British troops who initially captured the bridge, suffering many casualties in its defence and eventual loss back to the Germans.

which was stuck firmly in the 1980s. Our early train allowed a good refreshed start for the 200 miles to Arnhem. Our Branch have used the accommodation in Arnhem before, it is basic, but clean and had everything we needed for a weekend. Grahame Hadley, kindly offered his services as our Chef for the weekend, and we all enjoyed his Friday evening chili-con-carne. Then after a briefing by our Tour Guide Ian Rayner, we prepared for a busy next day. Our first full day in Arnhem saw us setting off at 9am sharp. Amongst the many battle venues we visited was; the Freedom Museum at Groesbeek. Many of our group had visited the Freedom Museum before, but it is currently undergoing refurbishments. Many of the new exhibits seemed geared towards schoolchildren, and did not suit some of our more old school members. But there was still plenty to see. Then we visited the Heelsum Dropping Zone, where allied paratroopers descended for the initial part of operation Market-Garden.

That evening we enjoyed another meal from the cookbook of ‘Chef’ Grahame Hadley, before settling down to a general knowledge quiz, compliments of Chris Hadley. After much brain-storming the winners were presented with – a packet of polo-mints each. No expense spared on this trip. Our final day saw us making the journey back to Calais, where we were lucky to get an earlier than planned train to Folkstone and home. Field Marshall Montgomery said that operation Market-Garden was “90 per cent successful.” The consensus of 10 Region IPA was that our visit was, 100 per cent successful.

This provided an opportunity for a group photograph against the backdrop of a memorial erected by local people, to commemorate the sacrifices made.

Villa Hartenstein used as Allied HQ during Operation Market Garden

16

POLICE WORLD Vol 65 No.3, 2020