2007 Part 3       September to December 07 

  Commemorative Jumps at Ginkle heath, Driel & Groesbeek  

AFTER ACTION REPORT Arnhem, Driel and Groesbeek DZ. Arnhem Anniversary drop. 2007 By Roy Mobsby

       Brord and Peter worked their nuts off to make this happen with of course all the usual suspects doing their bit. It was a real team effort and maybe a bit ambitious looking back on it. Three DZ's. plus parachute packing in two days. Everyone gave it 100% and worked hard. Too hard for some but we got there.  In my opinion it was too dangerous to jump the DZ. with equipment. The guys were tired, it was a tactical DZ. and as they had paid to jump and were not soldiers ordered to jump, I didn't think it was worth the risk. Its sometimes hard to explain to enthusiastic jumpers that as Paratroopers we had to jump with equipment. Our very lives depended on the equipment we carry into battle. Its also a dangerous way to jump and as a result we take casualties on every equipment jump. It might not be serious casualties but injuries just the same. As Paratroopers part of our course is having equipment drills drummed into us until you can release your PCPEP or rucksack in your sleep. A couple of hours practice no matter how enthusiastic does not prepare our members for emergencies in the air while carrying 100lb of kit. Brord and Peter took the blame for the decision but it was my overall responsibility so I take the can for that.

                  Brord, Arjon, Peter                       Briefing Friday 21st Pathfinder campsite

       Anyway apart from I cannot believe what we achieved. 50 jumpers trained and updated the week before the drop at Texel. 90 jumps in two days. Four DC3 drops onto three DZ. in two days. Fantastic. The weather for Ginkle heath was low cloud. The first C130's came in and dropped but then the cloud came in. The other C130's had a problem and held in a holding pattern some way from the Drop Zone. We were asked to run in and drop first so our aircraft came in at the middle of the show instead of the end. It made several passes in the cloud including a low 800ft run to try to get their bearings. The pilot made one last run before aborting and as it came in the sky cleared momentarily allowing two passes and all jumpers out. The wind dropped at the same time and the blokes came down in Nil wind conditions. The audience loved it. Even the Paras that had dropped before lined up in three ranks to watch the drop.
       Ron and I packed up the DZ. and then raced to Driel with some of the jumpers and the DZ crew. The next drops jumpers raced to the airfield a good hours drive to repack chutes and prepare for the next drop. We set up and waited for about an hour. The cloud had cleared and the winds were light. Once we had chased the cows off the fields and turned off the electric cattle fences I considered the DZ safe and the drop came in. The DC3 ran over the Engineers monument as the veterans were preparing for a church parade. It could not have been better if we had planned it. The monument is raised on a dike so the veterans and their guests had a perfect view of the DZ which was slightly below them. Everyone came down within the two fields we had designated as the DZ centre. Despite the hedges, a few trees and a couple of farmhouses everyone came down in an open area thanks to the steering abilities of the canopies. The jumpers then marched to the monument and a wreath and flowers were laid as a sign of respect.

         Packing at Llystad Airfield Hanger                         Line up at Llystad

       That night we were well looked after at the camp site by Marc and the Pathfinder Base camp crew. I had a touch of flu coming on so one can of beer and I had an early night. Definitely not like me as any of the old sweats will tell you. The guys did the usual bomb burst to the Schooner inn and other parts of the Arnhem night life to meet the veterans and their families
       We had the jumpers up early on Sunday morning and away to the airfield for the next drop. Ron and myself with Jack driving went to find the next DZ at Groesbeek. It took us a while to find the DZ, as it was behind the village and about a mile from the main road. We saw a lot of the area before finally finding the DZ and setting up the marker panels. We settled down to wait. I was a bit concerned as the DZ was a long strip of cleared field, but not very wide. It had a big overshoot area and two farmhouses within the landing area. There was also some cloud and a light wind. One of the farmhouses to the left of the DZ was where most of the early fighting took place on the original drop and had been hard fought over. We had been told that at least four American soldiers were still lying somewhere on the battlefield, their bodies having never been recovered after the battle. It was not usual for soldiers to be hit by mortars or artillery and be completely vaporised. It was certainly hallowed ground being dropped on this day. The crowds started to build as a Dutch convoy turned up and the local villagers came out in droves to watch the drop. The DC3 was seen at about two miles out coming in right on the money. The winds dropped and the cloud cleared. It was perfect conditions. The DC3 came in, had a look, dropped a wind drift indicator, altered its run in and then our guys came out like shit off a shovel. No hesitations. All jumpers landed within two fields of each other, which any fighting unit would have been proud to achieve. No injuries, which kept me happy. Once again the crowd loved it. They waited for an hour patiently while "Drag em oot" went back to the airfield to pick up the second Chalk.
       Someone was certainly looking after us when an hour later we repeated the same action with all jumpers out safely. All credit to Brord and Peter and of course the flying skills of Paddy Green's Dakota crew. Willem de Boo and Benny Overhand then took the jumpers the two hundred yards to the farmhouse and had a small ceremony where they had a minutes silence for those that had fallen and a briefing on the battle for the area.
       Injuries, well, apart from the usual bruises only one strop burn caused by an incorrect drill, but what the hell, we have all had them. Its part of being a military jumper.

Line up                                                    Under canopy                         

       I stood on three draughty DZ's. Because of injuries suffered in Iraq I was considered unfit to jump. To stand on the ground while the rest of the group jumped above me was one of the hardest things I have had to do. However, I was proud of each and every one of you. Jumpers new and old alike did as they were told and worked well together. The DZ crew and Marcs support party took a lot of the heat from the jumpers, enabling them to concentrate on the job in hand. So for all the DZ and support party, a big thank you from me. We really could not have had such a successful event without you all. It was a real team effort in the true traditions of the Airborne Brotherhood.
       The icing on the cake was being able to present Dutch wings to five of our members who qualified for their fifth and final qualification jump at Groesbeek. That's one hell of an honour to have in your log book and one I hope you will remember and appreciate for the rest of your lives. It had also been two firsts for Pathfinder and LJT. The first time that section of the Driel DZ had been jumped with round parachutes since 1944 and the first time Groesbeek had been jumped with round Parachutes since the original drop in 1944. An honour not lost on our jumpers.
       Once again the Airborne Forces Museum staff did our jumpers yet another honour by stamping their log books with the Arnhem Airborne Museums stamp just to make the jump entry that little bit more special and authentic.
       We received a letter from the Major of Groesbeek a few days later saying how impressed he had been. He had been a guest along with General Sasabowski's grandson on the drop over the US DZ. Like everyone else in Holland, he was very grateful for the sacrifices made by the veterans and their fallen colleagues and thought he understood the dangers involved. That is until he had flown low level in a DC3 over the battlefield and witnessed first hand the speed with which the jumpers left the aircraft. To say he had been impressed would I suppose be an understatement and we now have a standing invitation to repeat the performance next year.
       Pathfinder had been represented by jumpers from the UK, USA, France, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, South Africa, Ireland and Canada.
       Liberty Jump team had representatives from Holland, Belgium, Ireland and the USA.

             Drag em oot Flight /drop markers                               one away

       The fairer sex was well represented. I don't know whether we as males are getting weaker, or the ladies are getting tougher but this year we had several female jumpers representing SOE, War correspondents, Nurses and other Special Forces groups who in the past we have been unable to represent. The guys refused to shave their legs and wear a dress. We now have a hard core of female jumpers who work every bit as hard as the blokes. All credit to them for bringing a little beauty to what is normally a group of some of the ugliest blokes I have ever jumped with.
       For those of you who missed it. It was one hell of an event. Thank you to all of you for attending and for many of you for travelling so far. I know I promised to buy you all a beer. OK, I lied. Maybe next year?
       Now aren't you glad this was only a short report from me. Its old age. I couldn't remember everything that happened. There was just too much going on. Im sure other jumpers will be putting pen to paper as they read this and I look forward to reading other accounts of the event. As I say every time, Pathfinder completes a first."How the hell do we follow this"!
Thank you to all who took part in the event.
Roy Mobsby
Jump/Operations Co-ordinator
Pathfinder Parachute Group. UK

Line up At Groesbeek   (Click Picture to see bigger version)

Many more good photo's in the members section  

 exit video from Ginkle Heath 2007 will be posted later

Market Garden commemorative jump 2007
By Martin Fielden 

This year marked the 63rd anniversary of the battle around Arnhem, Holland.  This was codenamed Market Garden and it became one of the most notorious battles of WW2. Very few British people will even be aware of the gratitude which the Dutch people still bestow on the veterans who fought this battle, one that ultimately affected their own personal survival.

Many of my colleagues & friends were totally unaware of the annual remembrance that occurs over in Holland nor those held on many a field that will be forever England, as the saying goes. The greatest coverage only appears on the major anniversaries which makes those that are missed all the more poignant.

I often wondered why the Dutch people revere the veterans so high after we (the Allies) were responsible for so much destruction and hardship of the civilians around the city of Arnhem & Oosterbeek. I spoke at length with people of my age group and they all feel proud of what was achieved although it wasn’t the victory that had been planned. It was summed up best for me at the Polish memorial, a Dutch adolescent had a t-shirt on, nothing special in that however what was printed on it was, ‘I am a child of freedom – Thank you Mr Veteran’.

As time goes by the veterans are less in numbers and here follows a small tale of my trip to commemorate them.

Saturday 15th – Thursday 20th September 2007-Training at Texel, Holland

Ian (member of ‘Just Ordinary Men) and I arrived at Texel having argued most of way up, not with each other but the damned GPS unit. It tried sending us up narrow cobbled streets and the ‘I know a short cut’ route. After much deliberation all we heard from the GPS was ‘Recalculating’ and so we just ignored ‘her’ and used the map.

Ian and I had only met briefly at one of the re-enacting events but both had the same intention of earning our wings rather than just wearing them.
We arrived at the airfield and wandered over to the pathfinder area to start meeting the team. We sorted out our basic paperwork and sat and watched square jumpers until it was time to move off to the hostel to sort accommodation and food out.

The ‘Pathfinder UK’ group is made up of South African, Belgian, French, Dutch, Irish, Canadian, American , Danish and British members. Some are serving members of their national forces either as full or reserves.   Ian & I were the only non armed services personnel and WW2 re-enactors at that.

Basic training started with us jumping off the static plane frame, hands folded across chest, feet together,‘1,000’,’2,000’,’3,000’,’Check canopy’ – it should be big and round with a big hole at the top.

We paired up in buddies and got kitted out with the chutes, it was a good job Ian knew what he was doing as we got our kit right and were consequently used as an example.

We learnt about releasing the capewells if being dragged on your back, pulling the ground lines towards you preferably to collapse the chute.  We learnt about deploying the reserve, legs crossed, left hand below the reserve, lift flap and hold in your mouth, right hand under flap, slide under reserve and throw it 45 degree away from you, feed out lines – for some reason everyone was listening intently!. We practiced with a sand bag and in our sleep.

We learnt the PLF (Parachute Landing Fall) drill, feet together, hands on lines, elbows in. We practiced forwards landings and backwards landings of the platform into the gravel pit, The Pathfinder team leader Roy was right, this bit does hurt!

We learnt about steering the chutes and turning into wind before landing, we went over deploying the reserve again and again.  We discussed plane exits and we tried it in the Cessna caravan whilst the plane was parked up.  The next day there was to be a weather window so it was action stations, our first jump was on the cards!

All of us got kitted out and separated into the group’s ability, even looking at the experts I could see apprehension on their faces. The first group got up and as we watched the chutes open two collided, if they had been squares this could have been a dangerous incident, with the rounds they just gently separated – this was a great confidence boost for us jump virgins.

Ian and I were waiting with the other novices and suddenly we were sent up with a group of sky divers – the time had come. We boarded last and the plane taxied onto the runway, the door closed and we started climbing, Ian and I gave each other a nervous look, the altimeter leveled out at 2,400 feet and the door opened.  Without flinching Ian slid to the door on the command of the jumpmaster and went, I slid over with my legs hanging into oblivion, felt the tap on the shoulder and followed Ian out of the door.

click here for a short video of the training at texel

‘1,000’,’2,000’,’3,000’ – ‘Check canopy’, but it had a twist on the lines above my head, slight panic, a quick bit of kicking out of the twist and it all popped open just like a swing that had been twisted and suddenly opened up. I looked around and I could see the whole island.  I searched for the airport below me and turned the ‘chute round. Now it was time to enjoy the ride and admire the view. Getting closer to the airport I turned and ran with the wind to find a nice big bit of grass to land on. I turned into the wind, feet together, hands on lines, elbows in, the ground was getting closer & it’s there, PLF landing & up, ran around the chute gathered it up and SMILED. I walked back to the hangar with the driest mouth desperate for some water.

Ian came over as he landed elsewhere on the airfield and smiles abounded. For Ian and I to learn to jump on the 17th September was a special day, it’s the day back in ’44 that the 6 Para landed on Ginkle Heath.

click here for a short video of the training at texel

The second jump was in a stick of 8 with the South Africans – little did we know of their habits. As the plane started to taxi the clapping started and got more intense as the plane neared take off, then Up! Up! Up! until the plane was off the ground – superb for clearing the nerves. The plane climbed to 1,500 feet and the door opened. I was 4th out of 8 and slid after the 3rd guy, feet over the edge and pushed off, ‘1,000’,’2,000’,’3,000’ – ‘Check canopy’, it had a twist on the lines again, no worries this time and it was undone straight away. I looked up at the stick and it looked great, I spotted one of the experienced guys close by so I followed his trajectory and went in for the DZ.  I spotted the dykes and could just imagine the grief I would get if I went in. I floated over and landed close to the flag, lovely PLF and up around the chute.

The third jump was the scariest of them all, only because I had packed my chute with Ian’s help, I had helped Ian pack his so he was scared too! We boarded the plane and my mind was going through the reserve drill again and again. The plane again climbed to 1,500 feet and the door opened, this time we had cloud below us but we could see the airfield through gaps. I slid out the door in 4th , ‘1,000’,’2,000’,’3,000’ – ‘Check canopy’ and the chute opened like a dream, no twists at all, I checked around me and aimed for the DZ, I was on my own this time and I could see the dykes around me, I used the steering of the chute to clear the dykes and turned into wind, legs together, arms up, I was down, I did the PLF, and got up. The wind pulled on the chute before I could run around and pulled me airborne again – thud right on my helmet, I grabbed the lines on the ground and pulled for ages or it seemed like it then the chute collapsed. I was OK and on the DZ – Basic wings complete!! – time for a drink!!

The rest of the course was controlled by the weather making it dangerous to jump, we packed all the chutes up and practiced our drills. Peter helped pack mine and this would help my confidence when it came to the Dakota drop.

The Antonov arrived and although we couldn’t jump because of the weather we could practice the drill for the Dakota,‘Stand up’ ,‘Hook up’, ‘Equipment check’, ’6 Ok’ ‘5 Ok’, ’4 OK’,’3 OK’,’2 OK’ , ‘1 OK – Port stick ready Sir’.

Friday

We left the island of Texel and headed to Oosterbeek, at least we had figured out how to use the GPS unit now.

We arrived in Oosterbeek and stumbled across the cemetery, so whilst it was quiet we popped in for a walk around the headstones. The veterans were there quietly saying hello to old comrades as they do every year, although there are less visiting as there numbers dwindle. I met several veterans but one springs to mind, a very young 83 year old glider pilot, he was talking to his co-pilots headstone. Speaking with any of the veterans they were pleased to see us there, upon asking why I was here telling them that I was jumping out of the Dakota over Ginkle Heath, their eyes lit & the tone of the conversation changed to one of respect as we were honouring them that way.

We made our way to the Hartenstein Hotel, now the Airborne Museum and wandered through the museum. Around each corner would be a veteran and they were so pleased to see Ian & I in uniform and every time they found out about us jumping their eyes lit up and the stories came, ‘In ’44 I was………………’

Eventually we made our way to the camp and stumbled into a WW2 campsite, there were jeeps, bikes and ambulances all of the correct era. We found our tent and a good old army camp bed and made our self at home. The field kitchen was a ’43 Canadian one and served some great meals over the next few days.

Peter gave us all a stern talking too about not drinking too much alcohol and being on time for any briefings – I decided not to have another beer! The camp was quiet by 22:00 although I don’t think many of us slept well, the anticipation over the next day’s jump was already kicking in. Throughout the night it sounded as if we had incoming mortars particularly when the acorns hit some of the vehicles – BANG!

Saturday 22nd September

The jumpmaster gently woke us at some unGodly hour (05.30), no bugle luckily and we rummaged around for our kit, doing up the DMS high leg jump boots in pitch black made for an interesting challenge. It was a fretful sleep as the excitement and nerves built.

The breakfast was hot and coffee flowing freely as the cooks were up way before us clanging away with the oversize cooking pots. Not forgetting the sticky current buns, mmmmmmm.

The Ginkle Heath (British Drop Zone) parachutists boarded the bus for a trip to Lelystad airport, when we arrived all eyes searched for the Dakota DC3. We carried all the remaining chutes into the hangar and peered round the open hangar doors and there she was sitting majestically outside the terminal building.

Back in the flight cafe we were given a last minute briefing and given our jump orders.

I got 2nd stick 7th out and quickly wrote this on my hand so I didn’t forget, didn’t want the wrath of the jumpmaster at me. There were 30 jumpers in 2 sticks of 15 which included Dave Mote who is 74 years young, and 3 women. Outside the briefing we found out who was in front of us and behind all joking nervously.

At 10:00 smart we start kitting up, we all helped each other to get the kit on properly and started checking each other to make sure it was properly set, leg straps really tight, all clips stowed properly etc. Looking around the faces I could see the nervousness showing and my mouth was bone dry again

After a last check we walked in line to the DC3, a small crowd had gathered just to watch her take off. We loaded up in reverse order and squeezed in facing the tail end, I got a window view to my left and the open door to my right.

We sat and we waited until it was time to go. The port engine spluttered into life , it coughed and spluttered then revved and choked into life just like a 65 year old engine should. The starboard engine followed and excitement built , both engines were revved up and down then balanced, we taxied away from the terminal building and I waved to the people watching, I could still mange to wave with all the nerves. We taxied to the main taxiway and the engines were revved up hard and dropped to tick over several times, I was thinking we would never set off and then we started rolling to the runway.

The engines were revved hard and sounded so sweet, the brakes were off then the clapping rendition started as we got faster & faster, the chant became ‘Up. Up Up!’ and we were on our way.

We soared upwards and through the open door I could see the Dutch countryside whizzing by. Throughout the 30 minute flight feelings ranging from 100% fear and excitement to being completely at peace flowed over me.

As we closed in on Ginkle Heath we heard that 4 Para have been delayed because of cloud, I could only see cloud through the door too.

The first stick were told ‘Stand up’ ,‘Hook up’, ‘Equipment check’, ’15 Ok’ ‘14 Ok’, ’13 OK’…..’2 OK’ , ‘1 OK – Port stick ready’, Ian was in the 1st stick. We circled round and it felt like ages, every so often we got a glimpse of the heath and the thousands of people waiting to see us. We circled at least 6 times and it was looking like it might be called off, we were at 800 feet and then the jumpmaster called ‘Action stations’ and the stick disappeared out of the door one by one, I saw Ian’s boots go by, then they were all out.

The jumpmasters pulled in the static lines and we got handed them. The 2nd stick moved across to the other side and ‘Stand up’, Hook up’,even writing this my hands are shaking,’ Equipment check’, ’15 Ok’, ’14 OK’,….. ‘8 OK’, it was my turn now and I bellowed out ‘7 OK’ …’1 OK – Starboard stick ready’.’Action stations’ and I was off, I followed the arm of the guy in front, left foot in door, right leg out, Whoosh! The air stream pulled me, ‘1000…2000…..3000…Check Canopy’, it’s there big and round, I looked around and saw the stick opening behind me and with the Dakota going away, below me were the fully opened chutes. I looked around the periphery of the Heath and it was packed out with WW2 vehicles and people watching. I turned into the wind and looked for my DZ. Remember feet together, feet together, arms up, I landed and rolled in a lovely soft patch of heather, got up, ran round the chute, I’d done it.

I looked around and give the thumbs up to one of the guys next to me. I watch the chutes landing so gracefully around me. I tied up my lines and rolled my chute up to start heading for the RV (rendezvous) point. I met up with the other jumpers and big smiles abounded, the relief of making such a momentous jump was clear. As we neared the RV point we saw lots of waving people and some very happy veterans seeing us in WW2 uniforms having jumped where they had too but without the trials and tribulations that faced them.

Dave, our 74 year old Suez veteran landed safely and got mobbed by the kids trying to help him.

The parachutists dropping onto Driel went off to Lelystad to meet the Dakota and get kitted up, the rest became DZ crew and we headed off to Driel (Polish Drop Zone). After marking out the DZ zone and chasing cows off the fields we sat and waited.  Having time to stop allows you to contemplate why we do this and what happened all those years ago, we are resting in a green field yet 63 years ago this was a killing field.

The unmistakable noise of the Dakota started rumbling from the distance, the first pass is for the wind streamers to check wind speed, the next 3 passes drop 18 parachutists and all land safely on the minute DZ we where using.

We assembled together and marched up to the Polish memorial, having only marched once before I keep a close eye on Beau’s feet to keep in time.

After an eventful day we finally got transport back to the campsite courtesy of an unknown group to me. We climbed aboard their trucks in a 12 vehicle convoy and went the long way around to Oosterbeek. Rattling along in the back of a truck sure gives you a numb rear end. Wearing full Battle Dress and the smock made for a hot day – the veterans did it for 9 days!

Back at the camp site the food was waiting for us and so was a cleansing shower. We walked into the Schoonard bar and enjoyed a drink surrounded by Veterans and re-enactors who I hope will jump one day.

Sunday 23rd September

Sunday was a day purely for the veterans so I wore civvies for the first time in ages. I was woken early and got up to say goodbye to the roesbeek (American Drop Zone) jumpers. After they left the camp went quiet and we helped with a few chores, the main de-camp not being completed till they return later this afternoon, our flight being 16:25 means we have to leave around lunchtime.

Ian showed us around Oosterbeek as he’s very knowledgeable about the whole battle. We found the tree with the ‘1st Airborne 1944’ carved in it, Kate Ter Horsts house, the little church where they rested whilst Major Lonsdale gave that rousing speech and on to the bridge –the bridge has been rebuilt, named the ‘John Frost Bridge’ & dedicated to the men who fought for freedom.

John frost Bridge

Neither Ian nor myself has crossed that bridge just as they never did.

We headed off to Oosterbeek cemetery and walked in with hundreds of other people. The main ceremony went on with representatives from Holland, Poland & Britain, readings of the Airborne prayer and the singing of the Airborne hymn. Quietly at first then louder we heard the sound of the children walking down the gravel path towards the entrance, they each carried a bunch of flowers and walked in single file down each row of stones, this continued for ages and was made up of young children with their teacher right up to the older scouts.

The children stood proudly by the grave stone they had been allocated and on cue turned to face it, without a command and in unison they placed the flowers down upon the grave. As I looked around at the faces of hardened soldiers, veterans and people just paying their respect to the soldiers there was hardly a dry eye around. Applause broke out for the children laying the flowers and helped us to recompose ourselves. Overhead two Hercules flew over followed by the ‘Lady’ on her way to drop the Groesbeek jumpers.

It was time to go home, until next time.

Everyone always says I couldn’t have done this without…….its true!. I really couldn’t have done it without my wife’s support, upon my return she only had 4 weeks to go before our son is due & my daughters Natasha and Issy.

Cemitary at Oosterbeek

____________________________________________________________

Market Garden 2007
by Terrence Crawford 

       Many years ago, someone asked me what my special times were in my life. I can tell you now that they are: First, my family. Second, 9/11 and third, To jump with wonderful men and women from a C-47 in Normandy and Holland.
       My lifelong wish came true last year to jump during the Market Garden from a C-47 with pathfinder on the Ginkle Heath. I thought that would be it, but when I jumped in Normandy with LJT, that was something else very special. Because I am very into the jumps of the airborne forces in the ETO en specially the 82nd airborne, it was my dream to try to jump all DZ before I'm too old. 2007 was a year that went further than last year……and here is the story.
       The week before the Arnhem and Groesbeek jump, many people within Pathfinder worked very hard to get everything organised on Texel. Many new people were present as also the old farts. The weather was most of the time not good, but on a couple of day's most people got there jumps in to qualify for the Arnhem jump. Unfortunately, the night jump was cancelled because of bad weather. All the people had the right mentality and the atmosphere was 100%. The only thing that was against us now and then was the weather. At night I went to bed at around 23.00 hrs……when I woke up the next morning, some went to bed !!!!!!!! :.

       On Friday 21st Mike, Frank and I departed from Amsterdam with enough parachutes to equip an Airborne Division with. The first thing we looked at in the morning was the weather and as promised, it was good. We were told by the weather forecast that the weather for the whole weekend would be good. We arrived at Arnhem Campsite and we noticed many old Para's we jumped with in Normandy or Arnhem last year. Mark Durivage was present. He jumped with us in Normandy and he lives in the US. Dennis from Canada, Steward, Dave, Austin from Ireland. We had the Belgium's, South Africans, British, Dutch, Danes, French, etc.
       At 18.00 hrs we had a meeting with all the Para's and staff to talk about the event of the next morning. Many questions were asked and answered. Some went after the meeting into town others stayed on the campsite or as we went to the Driel drop zone to have a look. Being on such holy ground gave for me a special feeling because to drop on a drop zone were in the ww2 polish Para's lost many men is something that has to remembered and this is the way to do it. I slept in the tent with Frank and Mike, and I have to say…….nobody snored.
       I got up at 05.00 hrs the next morning when only (as last year) the kitchen staff were already busy in the dark with only a small light to get the meal ready for the hungry Para's. After my lovely long shower I noticed that everyone was still asleep or just getting up. It was still dark and with my first cup of coffee, everybody got started and all hell broke lose in the camp because just imagine 40 Para's up early in the morning and looking at there best……..it can frighten you and many did.

       The jumpmasters Peter and Brord got everybody together and we walked to the buss for the long way to Lelystad Airport. During our drive towards the airport, the countryside was in mist and the sun tried to get through. At the airport we were escorted into a newly build ww2 airmen's billet. It is as if you go back in time. Even the music was ww2. Many aeroplanes from past era's were there as was our C-47. In the hangar were got ready to prepare to put on our parachutes and as last year, it was a very special sight to stand in a hangar with an original DC2 surrounded with ww2 Para's putting on there chutes to board a C-47. The jumpmasters putted us in sticks and everybody help everybody with chutes, equipment, ext. We jumped full-pack and many of us looked like mules, some of us also without the full-pack: To walk with fully pack Para's towards a C-47 will always be a very special felling and it is as if you go back in time. We all stepped into the C-47 and got seated in numbers of stick order. Outside it was still a little low clouds but it was clearing up. This is also what the real Para's were watching at in ww2 when they left from the British airfields to go to Holland.
       The C-47 was taxing toward the takeoff position and before we knew it, we became deaf of the roaring engines and the beautiful feeling of knowing that the in ww2 the real Para's were in the same plane. We were climbing to 2000 feet and the clouds were still there. The jumpmasters were talking to each other and the pilot. Beneath we saw the Dutch countryside and the drop zone was only 15 minutes away. Nr. 1 stick got the order to stand up and hook up. Coming over the drop zone the fog was not completely gone and there was even a discussion if the drop could continue because the clouds were below a sustain drop height. Suddenly the jumpmaster said go and within 10 seconds 15 Para's left the plane and stick nr. 2 stood up to get ready. I was number 12 in the stick and had the good view of the persons in front of me. We made a turn towards the DZ. and before I knew I started running towards the exit. From the roaring engines to the silence of the wind was within 3 seconds. There I floated together with the other 14 Para's. The beautiful heather and being there for the second time was something very special. I think it was 40 second before we hit the ground maybe quicker for some of slower for others. I just stood there for 10 seconds to comprehend what I just did and that this was the DZ. of the 4th parachute brigade, 1st Airborne Division. It was for me an honour again to jump on the holy ground.

The next few hours went like a speed train. We went from the DZ. straight into the busses to the Lelystad airport again. The following jump was to jump at 16.30 hrs on the polish DZ. called DRIEL. When we arrived at the airport all chutes had to be folded within 2 hrs. I never saw all Para's worked so hard together to get the job done. All help each other and nobody was left behind.
       We just got the last parachute packed when the jumpmasters were shouting to get the parachutes on. This DZ. was for the Para's who were experienced with jumping on small DZ. We boarded the plane and the C-47 took off straight away. On the way to the DRIEL DZ. we flew over the Ginkle heath and the Hartenstein Hotel. The Drop zone was coming up because we noticed that we were crossing the Lower-Rhine river. On the right we saw the railway and road bridge and for the very first time we would jump on this DZ. since 1944. We jumped in sticks of 5 or 6. I was taken by the jet stream leaving the plane and when I was hanging beneath my chutes I heard in the silence evening the music of a bagpipe. On the drop zone a bagpipe-player was playing and we homed in on that. To hang above the DRIEL DZ. and hear bagpipe music it is as if you are back in 1944. Only in 1944 there was no bagpipe music but the music of German machine-guns. Many polish Para's died on the down or on the DZ.
       All Para's landed on the drop zone and one had a nice meeting with some cows. Some came entangled with the barbered wire but all went well. After we were assembled, we were marched towards the river road in rows of three. We were halted at the Engineering monument. This monument was for all the engineers and Para's that died during the crossing of the Rhine river of the retreat. There was a 2 minute silence and a small ceremony. Afterwards we were escorted by Dutch people in ww2 US vehicles back to the campsite again. We all were very tired and at the campsite we were told that we had to get the ready the next morning 30 minutes earlier for the Groesbeek jump. The kitchen staff were wonderful and we had the two day's nice evening meals and enough to drink. I went to bed at around 10.30 hrs, but not before two old Para's visited us on the campsite and those were Baz and Graham.
       The next morning I was showering at 04.30 hrs and on the way back to the tent I was hearing many still snoring very, very loud. We all got our breakfast and in the dark we walked towards to the buss to take us to the Lelystad airfield. I felt very privileged today to be able to jump on the original DZ. of the 508 and 2/505 82nd airborne division. I jumped that day for Gen. James Gavin and the 82nd Airborne Division, especially for those who didn't make it back. On the way to the Airfield we saw the sun coming up and it was a beautiful sight and we knew it would be a special day to jump. Many months ago I asked the staff of pathfinder and many Para's if it would be OK to jump as number 1 from stick 1. I was granted that privileged. I wanted to do what Gen. Gavin did when he arrived at the DZ. to jump as number one and all his men.
       When we arrived we started packing all the chutes straight away and within 2 hrs we were ready to board the plane. All the newbie's got from the jumpmaster a last training how to leave a C-47 and otherwise you would feel his size 10 up your ……

       During our flight towards the Groesbeek drop zone I had a wonderful view of the ground. We past the Rhine and Waal river. We were told to stand up and hook up. The green fields of the Dutch countryside is a beautiful sight to see and as it was 63 years ago, we jumped on a Sunday at 11.00 hrs on a sunny morning onto the Dutch Groesbeek drop zone. With us in the C-47 was the mayor of the town of Groesbeek. Coming onto the DZ. we made a pass and the jumpmasters looked were we could jump. We made a turn and as I was standing in the doorway I felt extremely proud to jump with such wonderful men and women to remember those who fought and died to liberate to the Dutch people from the tyranny of Adolph Hitler.
       Just a few more seconds and the jumpmaster said GO. A few seconds later I saw behind me the whole stick and there we were……floating towards the DZ. were the 82nd Airborne landed 63 years ago. I looked around and far away I could see the small town of Groesbeek and on the other side I could see the Reichwald (German Forrest/Border). The DZ. was only 1 mile from the German border and in 1944 a few Para's landed into Germany as the first US military during the war. The sky was blue and the grass green, no wind and all landed within feet of each other. The landing was perfect and for me that was the highest honour I could give the veterans to bring tribute to those who didn't made it back. We landed close to were 82nd Airborne soldier are still in the ground to this day. As usual Herve landed close to me and after shaking hands and looking at the jump of the second stick and the landing we headed for the RV.

       1 hour later the C-47 was nearing the DZ. and not long before the two sticks jumped. It was a beautiful sight and all landed close to each other. Even the farmers came out to watch and were happy that we did this. Not long afterwards we saw the jump of the jump masters and the photographer Peter, Brord and Arjan. The C-47 did a fly-by and a drop bag with all static lines were dropped on the DZ. We all gathered together and the newbie's got their wings pinned on the DZ. by Roy. After the ceremony Peter and Willem kick them all in the ass as a tradition. Not much later we marched towards a house on the DZ. were we held a small ceremony and a former member of ADT who parachuted into Little America in 1999 and knows everything about the battle, Ben Overhand, he held a small story about the battle on the drop zone and the Para's who still lay in the ground. Afterwards we held 1 minute silence to give respect. When we all returned on the campsite we held a small ceremony of receiving the certificates of the three DZ. Nick did a wonderful job of creating these certificates. We all said goodbye to each other and many we will see again in future jumps.

       I know that I have forgotten many things that happened in those three day's that I have not written down and I hope that other will write their story so we will have a complete picture from different people. This event has been so special to me, that I have not been able to write down my feelings that I had and still have of jumping for the veterans on such holy ground. Especially the Groesbeek jump whereby I jumped for a very special person namely Gen. James "Slim Jim" Gavin.
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China visit September 2007

By Jason Snailham

Flying into Hong Kong for the first time I was taken back by the friendliness of everyone around me. I was met at the airport by my hosts Maamar and Etta and then via buses and taxis it was a trip through Hong Kong to Foo Tan in the new territories, you had to peel my nose off the window as I just stared skyward.....jump that, that...not that one...maybe that one.
 
Hong Kong is a busy place at the best of times, 24-7, the building work was everywhere and so was the dust cloud. A couple of days were spent here for rest before the epic adventure and 194 chinese dishes. Hong Kong is great, what can I say, cheap jeans, great people, lots of smiles and TVs on the metro.
 
With a train to the border, immigration was a smooth passing, easier for me than the Chinese. Next was hunt the taxi-go this way-no go back that way-go this way, you got the idea. The English language signs and even body language got left behind in Hong Kong to, lucky for me I was with Maamar and Etta, Etta speaking mandarin Chinese was to prove not just useful but an absolute necessity. So now its a taxi driver who learnt to drive on a skid pan and who follows the line in the middle of the road like its a magnet to his sump plug.
 
Planes next, no worries there, even for the cattle market check-in,  we just stood back and let it happen. I thought the check lady was going produce a cane and beat back the crowd. But she was firm.
 
Plane journey, no worries, up along and down. We were met by the Jump School Principle. Journeyed in a Buick, first glass of Chinese Tea. Hospitality was kept to this standard through out our stay. Our first stop was for dinner, opening dish, crabs, fresh and whole...superb.
 
Second to seventh dishes became a blur but least we say, we ate everything from dumplings, hot peppers duck soups, rice of course and some specially prepared
Eel dishes. Excellent.
 
Accommodation again, air conditioned, TV and showers, cleaned everyday and never once could we question  hospitality.
 
After some changes to the jump program were we set for a great week in the air. It began Monday morning straight after breakfast with a welcome speech by the Principle with his school, average age 18 equates to 800 jumps, the best go forward to national selection. They are the chosen ones.
 
Then the weather set in, so that was Monday, Tuesdays planes left with out us, its all about preparation, Wednesday was for 3k hop and pop accuracy jumps, one round out on their own at 2k, thanks for coming, get out now....
 
Thursday morning and we were hazed in by weather and hazed in our heads too....then, Thursday afternoon, the weather cleared and the AN2 puffed up its cheeks and took us on a forty five minute climb to 10k, great. Flying over China knowing we're jumping was wicked, slight confusion on exit orders but that was soon cleared up when the first group got out at 8k, the second at 9k and the third, myself and the budding Maamar were told to close the door behind us at 10k.
 
An interesting skydive left Maamar open upon high and myself falling to earth once again taking in new sites and views of the earth.
 
The drop zone was tight, 20m by 40m, a bus parked across the final leg. That's ok because there's a huge off landing area, its just 5ft tall at this time of year. I landed well, Maamar however has done better, in the Brush, backwards PLF, drops a hand still in toggle snaps the wrist and compresses his L1, ts been knocked on the reserve tray.
 
The locals go for him although he does walk out. Next stop the hospital....never get hurt in China.
 
As we pay to see the doctor and then pay to get the x-ray and then pay to get the two man tag team to straighten the arm...the doc stubs out his smoke and agrees he's broke. Back to reception/cattle market, breath in-moped coming through.
 
A few days rest and then its back to Hong Kong. Maamar has worked wonders to gain access to the Chinese, they are very welcoming and I know he's organising a trip for next year. Pathfinder trips are always an adventure, but jumping from planes is, has and always will be a dangerous game. China was no exception, the people I have met just humble me. The places the sights, I've not even mentioned standing out like a Panda in town but that's another tale...
 
We wish Maamar a speedy recovery and thank our hosts, see you next year....
 
Jason Snailham
Pathfinder UK

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Round canopy accuracy competition

This weekend 13-14 October was a fruitful weekend in which Pathfinder members participated in the open students accuracy competition. Wonderful weather, no wind resulted in a good weekend. All together were present Tom; Mark; Monique; Hervé; Jasper; Pascal; Dennis; Marco; Leon (aspirant member) and myself. Marco; Pascal and Dennis completed their fifth jump and earned their NL wings. Jasper; Leon and Tom qualified in the competition (see link). Besides the jumpers everybody enjoyed seeing round canopies in the air and each time they draw the attention of the audience. see for yourself...
http://www.paracentrumteuge.nl/index.php?
 
Willem

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Pathfinder China Visits the Hunan province jump school at Hengyang

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