Arnhem Anniversary 1999

View the Video (Click here)

Our group had worked for nearly three years to get permission to jump at Arnhem When it happened it came out of the blue. from an unexpected source. Due to a bit of back stabbing from another organisation, we had lost the use of the Dakota jump ship we had planned to use. This however went in our favour as our sponsor agreed we could use his donation to put towards the use of an AN-2.. And so it ended up with us getting two jump ships instead of one. We still had the same number of jumpers but in my opinion, two aircraft on the run in made for a better display.

We had started off with a basic course at Texel where most of the jumpers completed five jumps for their Dutch B wing. On the course we had two injuries. Steve Gee broke his ankle on his second jump which was our most serious. At least six of the qualified jumpers were unable to get to Holland for one reason or another so we were making frantic phone calls to fill the slots. We were still doing this right up to the Friday night when we moved to Arnhem. Five of our Dutch friends volunteered to fill some of the places in the second aircraft.

The AN2 "Colts" cross the Rhine in loose formation

Due to circumstances beyond our control we missed our first window for the drop but were re-scheduled for a little while later. Once again this went in our favour as the ground mist that was the cause of our delay cleared in favour of Blue Skies. Our entrance was the more spectacular as we now followed 4 Para and the veteran jumpers into the DZ behind the Polish Airborne Brigade and the Dutch Airborne.

4 Para mass C130 jump onto Ginkle Heath

Almost down 

Our first aircraft misjudged the exit point and put us all out late. Due to the expertise of our jumpers this was not a problem even though we landed close to the crowd.. No injuries. 

The Hartenstein Hotel, HQ of the British Airborne during the Battle

The aircraft exits were smooth and professional, considering half our jumpers had never received British Paratrooper training. The exits could only be described later by one of the Paras as "Fast as shit of a shovel". This shows the high standard of training we get from our instructors at Texel. We had been joined at Deelan airfield by Ron, Paul and the rest of our in-date jumpers, most being experienced military jumpers which went a long way to improve the standard of our display. It had been strange standing on the airfield pan drawing and fitting our chutes. On one side were the two ancient AN-2 "Colt" aircraft whilst a short distance away were hundreds of modern soldiers entering their C130 Hercules. One group dressed in WW2 uniform and the other in modern uniform. It was like being in a time machine gone wrong. Old and new brought together for one fleeting moment in time. The ground mist swirling around the aircraft gave it an errie effect.

Four Pathfinders waiting to emplane

The sky was clear as both AN2s lumbered along the runway and bounced into the air together. They flew in a loose formation over the Rhine at approximately 3000ft AGL. It was an emotional moment. The drop was better than we expected and for all our jumpers the sight of thousands of spectators stretched along the edge of Tinkle Heath drop zone watching us descend was a fantastic moment. One veteran came up to me as I field packed my chute and commented on the Pegasus shoulder flash on my battle dress blouse. He had seen them clearly across the DZ and he was angry that the emblem had now been taken away from our own regulars paratroopers. I agreed with him. It had been a bad move and a blow to our morale.

Our Dutch Engineers land just beyond the trees.

Old and young alike patted us on the back and congratulated us. Another veteran with tears in his eyes thanked us for representing him and his comrades. I felt very humble. We must not forget that we were there to keep alive the memory of all the young soldiers who jumped into battle that long time ago. It was a courageous act which, had it worked, would have shortened the war by several months. It had gone terribly wrong and cost a lot of lives on both sides. Many Dutch people had lost their lives in the battle and in the months to follow, but still they thanked us.

Robert Si'Ree and Howard Ball walk off Ginkle Heath after the drop

Personally I believe this battle should never be forgotten and we in Pathfinder will do our best to keep these memories alive.  A big thank you to all that helped make Arnhem the success we had hoped for. This includes the wives and girlfriends who worked hard behind the scenes, helping to get uniforms to fit misshapen jumpers-not an easy task. Thanks to our sponsors and our Dutch friends and to Para Centrum Texel for the refresher training and technical support. Last but not least our grateful thanks to the veterans who's sacrifices we remember and honour by jumping on this day.

Bruce Cox our Arnhem veteran after his second parachute drop into

   Ginkle Heath. This time he was not shot at

As with the real thing, it was a true team effort and a credit to the "Airborne Brotherhood".

Blue Skies Sgt. Roy Mobsby. Jump/Operations Co-ordinator Pathfinder Parachute Group UK

___________________________________________

By Bob Ellis Para REME retired

Bob is presented with his certificate by Bruce as Ron and Howard Ball await their turn

I never believed that I would have the opportunity to take part in, possibly the largest parachute drop onto Ginkle Heath since 1944. Most of you will be aware that this was the most famous of the Dropping Zones (DZ) used in the battle for the Arnhem Bridge (Now the John Frost Bridge)

Normally the only Military units (Lately the British 10th Battalion the Parachute Regiment (V) and the Polish Airborne Brigade) have been allowed to commemorate this momentous occasion. However, thanks to Roy Mobsby and the Pathfinder Group, we were invited by the Arnhem Committee to participate. This was undertaken wearing period equipment (Authentic or reproduction), using military round canopies and a stand up, military exit.

I was both exhilarated and humbled by the days activities and it will be a day I remember for the rest of my life. How it came about, and what happened I will try to relate.

"I first got to know Roy in late 97 through a military display at Beltring. I agreed to join Pathfinder with the prospect of carrying out military style parachuting, possibly from a C47 Dakota. Quite why jumping out of a Dakota has enthused me I cannot explain...but we all have something we would like to do that seems just out of reach.

I went with several others to Texel in Holland during April 98 to qualify for Dutch Military Parachutist Wings. In late summer of 98 Roy announced an intention to get us a jump into Arnhem in September 99.I volunteered right away but not really expecting it to happen. In early 99 Roy sent out a copy of a letter from the Arnhem committee confirming that we ,Pathfinder, had permission to participate. I was elated, so I started collecting suitable equipment for the occasion. Originally we expected to get one or more Dakotas for the occasion . Up until August 99 we still had one confirmed. Apparently someone unknown had gone to North Weald Aerodrome where the Dakota was based ,claimed to be from Pathfinder and then managed to convince the owner that all was not safe and our jumpers were inexperienced. The insurance premium was increased beyond our budget so we lost it and a number of volunteers at the same time. However as it turned out this played to our advantage, which will become clearer later. Ultimately 13 of us arrived at Texel during the week leading up to the Arnhem weekend. Some had to qualify for their Dutch wings ( 5 Jumps), others had to re-qualify (3 Jumps). Unfortunately two sustained minor injuries which prevented them from taking any further part in the operation.

On Friday 17th September we travelled to a Dutch re-enactors camp at Oosterbeek near Arnhem. We arrived in the evening and set up camping arrangements. There we met up with the others from Pathfinder. At 0530 hrs we arose to travel in jeeps to the Dutch Airforce base at Deelan. Here we met a couple more jumpers to make our numbers up to 23. At this point I regretted leaving my camera in my webbing equipment in the jeeps trailer. Refresher training was conducted for those that required it and at about 0900 hrs we walked out onto the airfield where our parachute equipment was. It was a funny feeling to be moving past modern paratroopers from 4 Para and the Polish Airborne dressed in our World war 2 uniforms. We in turn received some strange looks from them. After some delays, not of our making, we kited up and enplaned at approximately 0950 hrs. We were now jumping from AN2 biplanes thanks to the loss of our Dakota. The AN-2 is a large Biplane which takes 12 fully equipped parachutist, used by the former Soviet Union and its satellite countries for paratrooper training. Still used by many countries to this day. One flew in from Texel and the other from Belgium

Pathfinders board the Texel AN2

Take off was at 1000 hrs. The aircraft were partially seated. Those of us sat on the floor could only wonder what views the others could see of the two aircraft flying together. After some twenty minuets we were approaching the DZ. The order to stand up, hook up was given and the door opened. Weather was perfect, bright blue skies and a mild wind. For me at the No 3 position, the view was wonderful. No1 was in the door, held back by the dispatcher. After what seemed like ages Go! was given and as each jumper was slapped on the back by "Angel" our female dispatcher from Texel, they stepped out of the door.. I exited the aircraft in my turn and mentally counted to three, and then checked my canopy. As usual I was mildly relieved that my chute had deployed perfectly, I looked around me. No canopies nearby. I then had time to take in the view...It was incredible. The DZ. was huge and there were thousands of people around it , all watching us! I could see two lines of parachutes strung out from the two AN-2s. I hoped it looked as good from the ground as it did in the air. As a normal practice I turned into wind and awaited my descent. As I got nearer the ground I realised we must have been dropped a bit late as the end of the DZ was mighty close. However all I could do was hold into wind. At a few hundred feet I realised there was a strong possibility I might land in the crowd. The people under me sensing what was about to happen parted below me and formed a huge hole. The last hundred feet.. feet and knees together, head 

down and elbows tucked in. down we go. A text book landing. Just as well in front of all those people. As I got to my feet the crowd closed in.. kids holding autograph books.. Arnhem veterans helping with my chute and offering advice.. "they dropped you a bit late mate", even a man with a camera offering to take a picture of me landing

Bob about to touch down in front of the crowd

After Id field packed my chute, I made my way to the RV point amid applause from veterans and encouragement from the spectators. Truly a wonderful reception. I had only parachuted in, they had jumped into a war zone and then fought for their lives. I assume they had appreciated us jumping in WW2 uniform. At the RV we found out that the drop had been late due to a mix-up with our pilots orders which had been faxed to them the night before.  The run in had been changed overnight but someone had forgot to send a second fax to our crew. Thanks to the quick thinking of our two dispatchers from Texel, Angel and Brord and the quick reactions of our pilots what could have been a disaster was narrowly avoided and resulted in one of the best parachute drops Pathfinder had ever done.  Two of our jumpers landed in the trees but had brought themselves down in a clearing, one landed on the other side of the road and two in between parked helicopters.. Thankfully there was no injuries. Luck or good training. A bit of both I think. All in all the drop had been well received by the veterans and organisers alike. We had come in after 4 Para who had made their own entrance from three C130 Hercules and some veterans on Tandem following them. We in turn were followed by Dutch Marines and the Polish Airborne who had performed a HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) jump. Again I kicked myself for not having brought my camera.

Members of the "Battle Wheels" club prepare to pick up Pathfinder jumpers from the DZ

After this we boarded the jeeps which had been supplied by members of the "Battle Wheels" club who were also dressed as WW2 Allied Paratroopers. After a drive around the battlefield of Arnhem we arrived back at our camp site. The beer was flowing already in celebration of a successful jump. Bruce Cox ,our Arnhem veteran who had jumped with us this day under his own round canopy, presented commemorative certificates to all our jumpers. on the balcony of the Hartenstein Hotel. This was an honour bestowed on us by the director of the Airborne museum.

Mark Roberts ,an Adult instructor from the Army cadet Force hurt his ankle on his fourth drop on the Texel course. He had declined to complete the course in case he was unfit for the Arnhem drop. He was still limping slightly when Bruce ordered him to stand fast as everyone else began to fall out from our parade. The Dutch Parachuting Authorities had recognised his fifth jump onto Ginkel Heath as his last qualifying jump for his Dutch B wing.. A very happy Mark marched foreword , limp almost forgotten, to get his wings , presented to him by Bruce Cox. Indeed a great honour. Not many people can say they earned their Wings jumping onto a historic battlefield and then get them presented by such an important VIP.

Mark Roberts limps off the DZ unawares he has just qualified for his Dutch wings

The next morning we began to disperse. I arrived home absolutely knackered on Sunday at about 1630 hrs. I should like to express my thanks to all that made this jump possible, unfortunately too many to name. Being the 55th Anniversary, it was an occasion that can never be repeated in quite the same way. Those that jumped were.

From the UK Ron Ball 7 Para RHA (retired)                 Bob Ellis Para REME (retired)

Paul Brindley R E (retired)                                             Roy Mobsby 16 Para Bde (retired)

Howard Ball RAF (retired)                                            Stefan Smith Lincolnshire ACF Inst.

Terry Bark R E (Para) (retired)                                      Robert Si'Ree 

Doug Heppleston Lincolnshire ACF Inst.                       Ed Larkin 144 Para Fld Amb (Retired)

Mark Roberts Lincolnshire ACF Inst.                            Alan Ash 4 Para (retired)

Mike Brownridge 10 Para (retired)                                Stephan Gee Lincolnshire ACF Inst.

Terry Glynn Lincolnshire ACF Inst.                                Ian Currah 4 Para (retired)

From Holland

Brord Van Der Maat RNAF and Angelic "Angel" (Dispatchers) 4 X Dutch Army Engineers (Stepped in to make up our numbers at the last minuet) Peter from Texel and Ron Visser who was our Drop Zone control.

It should be noted that the Lincolnshire Army Cadet Instructors were all affiliated to the Parachute Regiment