A trip into Holland to visit Arnhem, the John Frost Bridge and the National War and Resitance Museum at Overloon were some of the highlights of a week long summer camp at JHQ Rheindahlen in Germany for 8 cadets and 2 staff from across Edinburgh & South Scotland Wing.

Travelling by overnight sleeper from Edinburgh to London a Tube Journey and Heathrow Express brought the Group to Terminal 5 for a flight to Dusseldorf. Cadets from 869, 1153, 1716, 2180, 2284 and 2463 Squadrons and two staff from 2180 Sq made up the E&SS Wing group.

A visit to the Airborne Museum in Arnhem then a walk across the Bridge over the Rhine was the order of the day.  The John Frost Bridge  is the road bridge over the Rhine  at Arnhem and is named after Major-General John Frost who commanded the British forces that reached and defended the bridge during theBattle of Arnhem in September 1944. The bridge was one of the main and objectives of Operation Market Garden when British, American and Polish paratroopers and Gliders carrying additional troops and supplies landed behind German lines to capture a number of key bridges.

The group also visited the Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek where over 1700 allied soldiers and airmen killed during the operation are buried. One of the graves visited was that of Flt Lt David Lord VC.

David Lord was 30 years old, and a Flight Lieutenant in 271 Sq during theWWII when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

 “On 19 September 1944 during the battle of Arnhem  in the Netherlands, theBritish 1st Airborne Division  was in desperate need of supplies. Flight Lieutenant Lord, flying Dakota KG374  through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire was twice hit and had one engine burning. He managed to drop his supplies, but at the end of the run found that there were two containers remaining. Although he knew that one of his wings might collapse at any moment he nevertheless made a second run to drop the last supplies and then ordered his crew to bail out. A few seconds later the Dakota crashed in flames with its pilot and six crew.”

Only the navigator, F/Lt Harold King survived, becoming a prisoner of war. It was only on his release in mid 1945 that the story of David Lord's action was known and he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. David Lord is buried alongside his crew in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetary.

There are plans for a new bridge over the Lower Rhine at Oosterbeek, to be named after Stanisław Sosabowski who was the Polish  general who was commander of the Polish 1st Independant Parachute Regiment at the Battle of Arnhem.

The week was rounded off with another trip into Holland to visit the Dutch National War and Resistance Museum at the Liberty Park in Overloon. The Museum tells the story of the occupation of Holland, the persecution of its people and other nations during WWII. It also records the Dutch Resistance Movement, D-Day, the Battle at Overloon and the liberation of Holland by the Allies.

Swalmen in Holland was the scene of the Breakout adventure park where the group had the opportunity to test their skill and courage on a variety of challenges such as archery, climbing wall high ropes, retrieving “lost” kit from a network of tunnels and the Leap of Faith. The Leap of Faith consisted of jumping from a two ft square platform atop a 30 ft high pole to catch, hopefully,  a trapeze some 8ft away!

A trip to the local swimming pool, Go Karting, Breakout Adventure Centre, Ten Pin Bowling, various sports activities and a cultural visit to Cologne were among the many activities in an action packed week.

 Pictures and report Courtesay Sgt ATC I Wielbo and Plt Off DJ Wielbo 2180 Sq

Posted by OC2180 on Thursday 15 July 2010 - 20:49:32 | |