Arnhem Commemorations 2023
As usual there is a lot going on this September. There is always a lot going on with the inevitable clashes of events.
We have provided a list of events that we think will be of particular interest to Arnhem Fellowship members but if you are aware of other events not already listed within the official programmes, please let us know and we will add them to this page.
Events
Thursday 14th September, 11.00hrs – Brummen Wreath Laying Service
The late Major Tony Hibbert, one of our founding members, traditionally laid a wreath at the location where he escaped from captivity by jumping from a lorry and during this escape attempt an SS guard murdered a number of prisoners in the same vehicle. This tradition has been carried on since Tony passed away and a wreath will be laid outside Hotel Oude Postkantoor, Zutphensestraat 6, 6971 EM Brummen. Afterwards we retire to a local restaurant for coffee. All are welcome to attend.
Thursday 14th September, 18.00hrs – Annual General Meeting / 18.45hrs Arnhem Fellowship Dinner (both at the Lebret Hall, Oosterbeek)
We have moved the AGM from Friday morning to Thursday evening. This is partly in response to feedback from members and also the large number of events, commemorations, interments etc that take place on Friday.
Following the success of our last Arnhem Fellowship dinner at the 75th we are planning to hold a dinner once again on the Thursday evening. This will be a buffet style dinner, as it was last time. Once we know the final cost, we will start taking bookings so watch out for another newsflash in the near future.
The evening will run as follows:
17.30 Doors open. Refreshments available (tea and coffee) and bar opens.
18.00 AGM
18.45 Finish AGM
18.45-19.30 Drinks
19.30 Dinner served
If you are interested in attending then please contact the Arnhem Fellowship Secretary
Friday 15th September, 10.30hrs to 13.00hrs (approx.) – Battlefield Tour: The Border Regiment on the western Oosterbeek Perimeter
If you are interested in attending then please contact the Arnhem Fellowship Secretary
Saturday 16th September, 09.00hrs to 14.00hrs (approx.) – Ginkel Heath
There are no changes on the arrangements for Ginkel Heath this year. Same place, same location, same entrance.
Tea and coffee will be available to members during the morning.
Packed lunches will be available. Once we know the final cost for lunch, we will start taking bookings so watch out for another newsflash in the near future.
Access to the Fellowship Marquee is for Members only. This means you need to be a member of the Arnhem Fellowship and be able to show a valid membership card. Membership is individual so if you intend to visit the marquee with friends and family they need to become members in advance in the normal way. Under 18 years of age do not need a membership.
We will require volunteers to help ensure that only members access our marquee. So, if you would like to volunteer to do a 1-hour stint somewhere between 0900hrs and 1300hrs that would be much appreciated. Please contact the Arnhem Fellowship Secretary.
(Note: the official programme on the heath commences at 0930hrs – see Airborne Commemoration Foundation programme for more details)
Sunday 17th September, 10.00hrs to 13.30hrs – Oosterbeek Cemetery
As in previous years we will have a refreshment marquee adjacent to the Oosterbeek cemetery before and after the service with tea and coffee available.
(Note: the ceremony commences at 1100hrs)
Monday 19th September, 10.00hrs – Ede Mausoleum
The Arnhem Fellowship has set a tradition of holding a small commemoration at the memorial to the Dutch Resistance in Ede on the Monday morning.
All are welcome to attend
NOTE: the above events are those which the Arnhem Fellowship organises. We will be attending various other events across the weekend such as the service in Arnhem on Friday night, the service at Driel on Saturday afternoon and others.
The programme produced by the Airborne Commemoration Foundation has been updated and can be found here: https://www.airborne-herdenkingen.nl/en/programme-airborne-commemorations/
A calendar of events has also been produced by the Airborne Region Foundation. This can be found here: https://airborne-region.nl/agenda/
Parachute Drops
There are a number of parachute drops scheduled for the commemorative weekend. As always these depend largely on the weather and sometimes the serviceability of the aircraft on the day.
Here are the main events:
Thursday 14th September – Excercise Falcon Leap
It is usually the case that a number of countries taking part in Excercise Falcon Leap take part in mass drops on Ginkel Heath throughout the day. These are serving soldiers dropping from operational aircraft. On good days there is a stream of aircraft dropping their sticks and returning for fly pasts.
Further information can be found on the Dutch Ministry of Defense website: https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/falcon-leap
Friday 15th September – Renkum
Pathfinder Parachute Group UK are scheduled to make at least 2 drops from the C47 Dakota around Midday and 1400 hours. This is part of the Renkum Airborne event about which you can find out more through the following link. The drops take place on what were the original drop and landing zones in September 1944.
https://www.renkumleeft.nl/
Saturday 16th September – Ginkel Heath
There will be various drops on Ginkel Heath (taken from the Ede Municiaplity website)
| Time | Information | |
| 10:00 | Paragroup Holland | A number of paratroopers from the Parachute Group Holland jump out of an old Dakota. |
| 10:15 | Free fall | Some soldiers of the pathfinders platoon of 11 Airmobile Brigade make a free fall from 3 kilometers altitude and land on the Dropzone. |
| 10:30 | Massdrop | Paratroopers from various NATO countries make a mass drop above the Drop zone to honor the veterans of Operation Market Garden from 1944. |
| 12:30 | Free fall | Some soldiers of the pathfinders platoon of 11 Airmobile Brigade make a free fall from 3 kilometers altitude and land on the Dropzone. |
| 13:00 | Paragroup Holland | A number of paratroopers from the Parachute Group Holland jump out of an old Dakota. |
Sunday 17th September – Driel
Pathfinder Parachute Group UK drop again from a C47, this time onto what was part of the drop zone of the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade in Driel. This drop takes place around midday.
Places to visit
Airborne Medical Display
Please see below details of a living history display of an airborne medical facility running from 14th to 16th September in the Concert Hall in lower Oosterbeek near the old church.
In previous years this has (in our opinion at least), been a very good display!
Eusibius Church
There is information on the battle in the church and a glass viewing platform that allows you to see Arnhem from a different perspective.
There is information on the battle in the church and a glass viewing platform that allows you to see Arnhem from a different perspective.
https://eusebius.nl/en/plan-your-visit/
Military Platform Ede
The Platform Military History Ede is housed in building 27 on the former Arthur Kool barracks. The monumental building from 1908 has a beautiful military history and is located next to the horse stables and associated warehouses. ‘De Smederij’ contained a workshop for the sword sweeper and two workshops for the farriers (blacksmiths), with a batter shed for the two squadrons of Hussars who were housed in the cavalry barracks.
Wolfheze glider museum
This museum introduces you to the gliders and the brave people who participated in Operation Market Garden, which was carried out around and in Arnhem from 17 to 25 September 1944.
Historical Museum Wolfheze (Wolfheze Asylum)
The place that we all know as the ‘Wolfheze Asylum’ continues to be a place that provides specialist mental care in Gelderland. In the centre of the site, and quite difficult to find, is a small museum that covers the history of the ‘Wolfheze’ facility, the history of the care of patients, the impact of events in September 1944 including the bombings, landings and the treatment of wounded British soldiers. If you can find it it is a great place to spend an hour.
It has limited opening times so it might be best to check first.
Contact details can be found at the link below
https://www.propersona.nl/Over-Pro-Persona/Geschiedenis/Museum/
Information Centre in Driel
The Information Centre: The Poles of Driel provide insights into the battle fought by the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade in the village of Driel during Operation Market Garden. The focus here is the way the Brigade came into being, the inexplicably dishonourable way the Poles were treated after the failure of Operation Market Garden and the friendship that subsequently developed between the people of Driel and the Polish parachutists.
The Information Centre is at the back of the Roman Catholic Church in Driel and is open daily to visitors from 9.00hrs to 17.00hrs. Kerkstraat 27, 6665 CE Driel. Entrance is free.
There is a bus stop directly in front of the church and there is sufficient parking space for cars and buses.