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History 2010 Part 3 Part 2
Part
1
13th Parachuting event in Central
Java
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the Picture above to read the article
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Paddy
has been a Pathfinder member
"Help For Heroes & Gym Help
For Heroes World Record Challenge"
Former 2 Para member and
Endurance athlete Paddy Doyle dug deep to achieve his 181 strength speed
stamina challenge record. Doyle speed marched 30 mile . 200 metres whilst
carrying a 76 lb back pack along the Grand Union Canal through Leamington
Spa, Warwickshire and Solihull finishing off at the Journeys End
Public House Yardley Birmingham.
He was supported by British Military
Fitness Instructors and martial arts boxing students from various clubs
around the Midlands.
"I'm in bits," admitted
Doyle , who completed the walk in aid of Help for Heroes and Gym For
Heroes." When he reached Hatton Locks in Warwickshire the
weight he was carrying started to slow him down, plus his left
calf muscle and ankle were tightening up.
However the pacers and walkers who joined
Paddy at various stages of the record, pushed him all the way to the
finish line. Clocking up a remarkable time of 10 hrs. 37 sec's. The team
members who helped and escorted Paddy Doyle to the finish line were -
. Nigel Perry {Senior Checkpoint Team Leader}
. Joe Owens {Leading Pacer}
. Rian Perry {British Military Fitness Instructor Pacer}
. Eliot Mullett {Solihull Times Reporter and Pacer}
. Leigh Clifton {Pacer}
. Brian Perry {Film Camera official}
. Wayne Bernstein {Official - Pacer}
. Sam Bernstein {Pacer}
. Steve Butler {Pacer & Guinness World Fitness Record
Holder}
. Jamie McGuire {Endurance athlete & Pacer}
. Desi Clifton {Support team member}
. David Chubb {Support team member}
. Graham Petrie {Photographer}
Doyle currently holds 107 of his 181 career endurance records. The
official sponsors of the World Record Challenge were Fairgate Construction
Services Ltd. For more info about 1 to 1 training and courses with Paddy
Doyle checkout www.worldendurancechampion.co.uk
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Visit
to the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution
Click the picture to read the PDF Article
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BUILDING
A MOCK DAKOTA DOOR - SALUTE SHOW 2010
 
If you go to
work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. If you go to work on
your plan, your plan will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build
end up building us.
I've thought a lot about how to
put together an article on building the mock Dakota door but I came to
realise that words alone cannot do justice to the amount of work and team
effort that went into seeing this project through.
Without going into all the technical aspects it really is
a case of pictures speaking a thousand words and in this case there are many
photos that will give a detailed overview of the building of the door from
start to finish.
Most of us built Airfix 1:72 scale Spitfires, Hurricanes
and Me109s when we were kids so I reckon you could compare it to building a
1:1 scale kit with all the old familiar frustrations and then the sense of
satisfaction when the kit is finished.
Yes there was lots of paint and glue involved with many
late nights spent drinking copious amounts of tea as the door started to
take shape. If you were an Airfix anorak when you were a kid you would have
been in your element building the mock door as an adult.
James was tireless in doing the bulk of the design and build, and for his
efforts he was awarded life membership of Pathfinder Group. Myself and
Stewart were really just the labourers but nonetheless it was a very
fulfilling project to be involved in.
Our better halves also have to get an honourable mention for putting up
with us during the weeks we worked on this project. All chance of sensible
conversation from us three practically stopped as the only words they
eventually found being uttered by us were "C47 Dakota, Mock Door,
yeesss!"
All things aside I would like to give an explanation as to
the inspiration behind our idea to build it, quite simply it was the
Veterans. We felt that it was a very small way to honour and commemorate the
many brave men and women who exited from a C47 door on operations in order
to free the world from tyranny.
With this idea in mind we dedicated the mock door to
all Veterans, in particular Flt. Lt. David Lord VC and his crew whose
actions have become an integral part of the history of Operation Market
Garden.
We 'officially' unveiled the mock door at the Salute
Military Vehicle Show which took place in Dublin over the weekend of August
the 28th and 29th. The Salute show would be similar to The War and Peace
Show at Beltring but on a far smaller scale. However there are plenty of
visitors to Salute and we use it a platform to get people interested in
Pathfinder Group and our style parachuting and how we commemorate the
Veterans.
It was surprising how many people at the show realised
immediately that our door was representative of a part of a Dakota. In some
small way I think we were able to give people an idea as to what it's like
to be in this beautiful aircraft as we had speakers inside that played the
sounds of the Dakota taking off and in flight. We also had playing original
commentary clips from the BBC that were recorded from inside a Dakota during
operations on Overlord and Market Garden that the Dakota is so associated
with.
So was building the mock door worth it? Yes, absolutely it
was, especially when it gives us the opportunity to explain to adults
and children of today what the Veterans did for everyone's freedom all those
years ago and the sacrifices they made.
And in case any of you are
wondering...yes...it really is good to jump from...even if it's only at
three feet!
Austin
Pathfinder Ireland.
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Operation
Dragoon – 15th August 1944
Operation Dragoon commenced in the early hours of 15th
August 1944, comprising Seaborne landings of US Infantry in 3 sectors
between Cavalaire in the west and St Raphael in the East, and inland,
Airborne landings around the towns of Le Muy and Les Arcs whose objective
was to prevent Axis reinforcements reaching the invasion beaches.
The planners for Dragoon were keen to avoid many of the
problems experienced in Operation Overlord where equipment and training
failures resulted in a significant number of mis-drops.
Of the solutions implemented the following were key -
the “Provisional Troop Carrier Air Division” was created to provide
aircrew trained to deliver paratroopers to their DZs, with special emphasis
given to delivery of the Pathfinder Troops and secondly the British
Pathfinders were tasked with training their US counterparts.
The 21st Independent Parachute Company had
been earmarked for Operation Market-Garden, however British Pathfinders were
required for Operation Dragoon and therefore the 1st Independent
Parachute Platoon (1st Platoon) was left behind for the purpose.
Training commenced in Italy throughout July to ensure
that the PCTAD Pathfinder crews (Aircrew) were proficient in the use of the
GEE Radar and Rebecca equipment and the US Airborne Pathfinders in use of
the Eureka. Success of the whole Airborne part of the operation hinging on
accurate delivery of the Airborne Pathfinder teams to the right places, and
of the ability of those teams to secure the DZs and set up their
navigational aids. For Dragoon, these included the Eureka Beacons, Holophane
Marker Lights, Coloured Smoke, Marker Panels and M/F Beacons (Radio Compass
Homing Device).
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Airborne
Target – RED – Seaborne Targets – PINK. |
In recognition of their success in training their
US Airborne counterparts the men of the 1st Platoon were
awarded the American Pathfinder Insignia – a Winged Flaming Torch
– which they wear with great pride on their sleeve.
Serial 3 comprising 3 Aircraft from mission
“Pathfinder” departed from Marcigliana in Italy and proceed
directly to the Command Departure Point, codenamed “Denver” to
depart at 0213, arriving successfully over DZ/LZ
“O” to the north of the town of Le Muy at 0334. The drop
planned at 1500 ft MSL (approx 800ft above the ground) took place in
darkness and thick fog, however despite this the men of the 1st
Platoon landed within a mile of their target. Unfortunately Private
Eric Morley died when his static line broke
|
| (believed to have been as a result of
battery acid from the Eureka Beacon leaking onto it) and his parachute
failed to open – he was the only fatality for the Platoon during the
operation. |
I’ve been told by veterans of the 1st
Platoon that their Pathfinder aircraft accompanied a flight of Mitchell
Bombers from Italy en-route to a bombing target… the flight slowed from
150mph to 125mph over the DZ to allow the Pathfinders to drop, their
Pathfinder aircraft then continuing with the bombers on the bomb run to
ensure that the Germans weren’t alerted to anything “unusual” going
on. (Source
– Jim Chittenden and Peter Block).
I
have no reason to doubt this story, although no specific mention of it is
made in either the PTCAD Tactical Air Plan for the operation (dated July 29th
1944), or the post-operational report (22nd August 1944) – both
of which appear to be very thorough documents. However, the post-operational
report does mention that bomber missions to destroy enemy installations were
planned to coincide with mission Albatross, so there’s every possibility
there was a local change to the overall plan which was not reported by the
US Army Air Force in the post-operational report.
Approximately 1hr 20mins after the Pathfinder troops
dropped, at around 0454, Serials 10 to 13 of “Mission Albatross” arrived
over the hamlet of Le Mitan and members of 2nd British Parachute
Brigade dropped into battle. DZ “O” was marked with a Red Holophane
Light which was rendered useless by the dense fog blanketing the DZ to a
height of 500ft, however use of the Eureka-Rebecca and M/F Beacons overcame
this issue. A gauge of the
success of the Pathfinder operation must surely be that all (barring
aircraft where their Rebecca equipment failed) British Paras dropped in the
immediate vicinity of the DZ and according to the 1st Platoon
veterans the Brigade HQ company (Serial 10 flying from Galera) landed a mere
300yds from the Eureka set (however it must not be forgotten that Serial 10
comprised 36 aircraft, so it’s likely that some of the sticks landed a bit
further away).
NB – US Airborne Mis-Drops were as far south as St
Tropez, with two sticks drowning in the sea, and to the North near Draguinan…
British Airborne Mis-Drops were to the North near Fayence. Whilst
inconvenient, the mis-drops served to further confuse the German command as
to the indended nature of the attacks, and on 15th August US
Airborne troops assisted by French Resistance fighters captured the whole
German Headquarters staff at Draguinan, and at St Tropez, again with
assistance from French Resistance fighters liberated the town before the
Seaborne landings commenced.
Operation
Dragoon – Remembered 2010
For many years I’ve had an association with the 21st
Independent Parachute Company veterans club… the “Real” Pathfinder
Club (Sorry Roy)… and have been travelling to Provence to attend the
Operation Dragoon commemorations for the last 8.
In 2009 I was asked if I would be interested in helping
with the 2010 veterans tour – to which of course the answer was yes.
Alas with the passage of time there are only 4
surviving members of 1st Independent Parachute Platoon now alive
and of these 3 were keen to make the trip, and of these 3, Peter Block, is
the only surviving “alien”… German volunteer, the other two being Jim
Chittenden (who also served in the Commandos) and Walter Freeguard.
Without getting bogged down in too much detail, the
date of the trip came up and all 3 were fit, and raring to go. After an
uneventful flight with Easyjet from Luton we arrived in Nice, hired a
mini-bus and travelled to our hotel a couple of miles from the DZ “O”.
14th August 2010
We were treated to an excellent welcome lunch at our
hotel with the Lady-Mayor of Le Muy, Lt Col Hanford from the Parachute
Regiment and other British and American veterans and their families who’d
travelled out for the anniversary.
 |
After lunch… a trip out to the hamlet of Le
Mitan where the 1st Platoon marked out the DZ, the
Regimental Aid Post was set up, the POW Cage created and General
Fredericks had his HQ.
It rained hard (very unusual for August) all
afternoon and the veterans were unable to attend the small liberation
ceremony in Le Mitan, preferring to remain in the dry (enjoying wine
and conversation) whilst waiting for the main commemoration for the
commune of La Motte later that evening. Both Le Mitan and La Motte
were liberated by the British 2nd Parachute Brigade.
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|
Above –
Peter Matthews – 4 Para Veteran having just laid a wreath at the La
Motte memorial. |
1st
Platoon veterans from Left – Peter Block, Walter Freeguard and Jim
Chittenden. |
15th August 2010
The morning of 15th August saw us at the
memorial for the liberation of the Town of Le Muy… another memorial,
another ceremony… this one however being slightly different from previous
years for the British Veterans.
2009 saw the surviving US veterans being awarded the
French Legion of Honour… but due to “issues” within the British
Government, the British Veterans were denied the honour, the official stance
being that the British veterans would not be allowed to wear the award and
the British Government would not allow the precedence to be set… seemingly
oblivious to the fact that other British veterans had already received the
award on previous years for various other operations.
After a lot of letter writing and support from Prince
Charles, 2010 saw the record set straight for the remaining few (the others
received theirs from the French President earlier in 2010 at Chelsea
Barracks):
 |
Peter Block and Jim Chittenden seated with other British
Veterans (Roy Hybart, Noel Ball and George Christie – not sure
who’s who though) awaiting their awards |
|
After the Legion of Honour awards were made, the
ceremony concluded with the usual wreath-laying.
Unfortunately the French authorities had
forgotten to provide a wreath for Lt-Col Hanforth (and he’d not
taken his own) and a chap from the Army Air Corps (don’t recall his
name), so seeming nothing for the British to lay at the memorial!!!
Fortunately Jim Chittenden had taken a wreath
he’d made for the 21st Independent Parachute Company and
1st Independent Platoon… this was quickly “donated”
and the embarrassment avoided… at Jim’s cost - for which he was
absolutely gutted, having now been denied the opportunity to lay his
wreath.
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 |
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Jim’s wreath:- |
|
In an attempt to make up for their error, the French authorities asked
Jim if he would be prepared to lay a wreath at General Frederick’s
cross-roads at the Eastern edge of the old town of Le Muy (now a
roundabout), which he did with assistance from the Mayor of Le Muy and a US
AB Veteran (Joe ???).
 |
A further quick wreath-laying at “4 Para Bridge”
(named in 2009 because this is the location to which Peter Matthews
and other members of 4 Para were guided through the German defences by
the French Resistance fighters to commence their attack on Le Muy –
a long time before the US forces arrived in sufficient strength to
make their presence known), immediately adjacent to the roundabout.
Afterwards we were off to lunch at a nearby school.
|
Jim Chittenden seated in maroon blazer, Walter
Freeguard in the other wheelchair, Peter Block with his back to us in the
white suit.
16th August
The morning of 16th August saw us at the
American Cemetery in Draguinan to remember the fallen (the British dead were
interred at Marseilles – a pity because a CWG cemetery in the Le Muy area
would have served as a strong reminder that Operation Dragoon wasn’t an
all-American event, a fact which is occasionally forgotten).
Upon leaving the cemetery the veterans were whisked
away in a column of WW2 military vehicle to parade through Draguinan, La
Motte and then into Le Muy for another great lunch.
|
Flowers
being laid by Lt-Col Hanforth with representatives from the British
veterans families. |
17th August
Homeward bound after a great and very memorable
trip.
Notes:
Each year there are a significantly large number
of French reenactors dressed as US Airborne and US Infantry, and
normally less than 3 in British Uniform… perhaps 2011 is the year
for Pathfinder to pay a visit while there are still veterans alive to
honour?
If Pathfinder are seriously interested in the
challenge, I will put you intouch with the necessary contacts over
there… however, there is little to no chance of any financial
assistance from the local government for anything. |
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DZ Support Group
 
Pathfinder has for some time now
been trying to form a DZ Support Group. We have approached reenactment
groups in the past but they were more interested in looking good, playing
at being paratroopers and going on the piss when we needed them most.
Members of a DZ Support Group are very important people. As well as
talking to the general public they must project an air of professionalism.
Any static display they make at the edge of the DZ must look professional
and the skills should be there. If you are doing an 'All round defence'
display while we are jumping then its no good fumbling a magazine change.
You need to be able to do it right so practice. As well as the static
display they should also know what's going on within the drop zone.
If someone is being dragged at high speed its no good
waving to the jumper as he quickly disappears into the distance.You need
to know how to collapse his chute and help him. So you just don't stand
there looking pretty but you have an important role ensuring the jumpers
safety..
A working knowledge of basic first aid is a good thing to know. If a jumper
breaks something on landing its no good standing there waiting for the
first responder, you are the first responder and the injured jumper will
be looking to you for assistance.
 
Our first group of DZ Support Group
candidates didn't get off to a very good start. This was down mainly to a
lack of communications, on our side as well as their's. However in my
defence I did have a lot to think about and luckily I did have a few of
our own jumpers in support. However I could have used more bodies. We look
forward to using the Kings Own Scottish Borderers as our support party at
Sannerville next year. Its an important event in our calendar so we will
all be fully conversant with our DZ SOP's by then. We welcome any other
groups no matter what their nationality who portray WW 2 British
Airborne units who wish to support us and take part in our displays
as part of the ground events.
Roy.
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A time to look back.
It was our 40th anniversary.
 |
40 years ago Dave Rashbrook and myself ( Roy mobsby) , both fresh
from P company and jump school at RAF Abingdon jumped into Ginkle heath.
It would be my eleventh jump and I was still wet behind the ears and shit
myself every time I left the plane.
As members of 2 ( Patrol ) Company, 10th Battalion the Parachute
Regiment (V) we were going in with the battalion jumping from Argosy
aircraft. A nice aircraft to jump from. We had been told that we would get
a great reception but I was not prepared for the reception we eventually
got. I left the aircraft OK and under canopy was shocked to see thousands
of people standing |
|
behind a row of shiny white helmeted Dutch military police. As soon as
our canopies opened the crowd surged forward through the ranks of
policeman and covered the landing area. I shouted "Look out
below" and the crowd parted long enough for me to pile in like a
sack of shit. I'm on my hands and knees and people are smacking me on
the back and congratulating me. It was overwhelming. I got a lift off
the DZ from a 'Hells Angle' on the back of a moped with
my chute and container on the back of a second one. From somewhere
across the DZ came the sweet strains of the RSM's voice telling me what
he intended doing to my body if I didn't get off the bike Now
and walk off the DZ like everyone else. I dutifully obeyed. We received
the freedom of Arnhem and the rest was an alcoholic blur.
To jump into the Ginkle heath myself several
times over the years I can safely say it is still an emotional event for
me. Especially the service at the Oosterbeek Airborne cemetery. You have
to be a real hard bastard to walk out of there without a tear in
your eye and a lump in your throat. Iv not met one that tough yet.
Roy Mobsby |
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Arnhem Parachute Packing
program
12-18th
September 2110
With
the news of two courses being run at the same time I knew we were in for a busy
period of sorting out kit. We also had to sort out kit for “Market Garden”.
So the fun began.
First
off we had parachutes to re-fit. Re-pack and adjust. This took some time but
soon we had enough chutes packed to have the Youth Group from the TV
documentary fully equipped. With demos of how to 'Draw and fit' we were
soon getting everyone into jump kit. As it was, the wind and rain was against us
jumping and so a lot of time was put into getting more parachutes packed. This
included an introduction into how a reserve is packed. Ian then showed us how
the lines are stowed in the pack tray and finally how the canopy is folded.
 |
Unfortunately
no jumps took place for the whole week so this gave us time to pack all
the rest of the parachutes we could muster. We had two Bravos that took
some time sorting out. This took a long time to do as we had to work out
stick order,body weights who was having what and what drop they were on.
We finally got all these tasks finished Friday morning at about
3am.
The Friday
started well with clear skies and a fresh breeze. The first jumpers
to arrive for the first Renkum Heath drop started to turn up at 0700hrs We
had breakfast and had them draw and fit at 1100hrs. |
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 |
 |
The
Dakota started up and the lads were off. Those of us left to pack made our
way up to the new hanger at the top of the airfield. This is a great
location as you are out of the way from the sky gods. It was now a waiting
game. Earlier in the week Dennis,Cees and Roy had gone up and put
packing hooks in for us all along the back wall of the hanger so we were
able to pack a minimum of four chutes at a time. The drop report
filitered back to us and we heard that the first drop had gone well apart
from one tree hugging Canadian and Doug getting a ride on a
stretcher,. |
| We
finally got the first lot of equipment back from the DZ.
On opening the first bags we found some basic rules were not being
put into practice such as leg straps not being done up and this resulted
in a minor injury. It was difficult hunting through each bag of 'thrown in
chute' looking for the apex and finding rigging lines needing to have big
knots removed. All basic stuff but very time consuming. We set about the
newly arrived chutes with vigour and soon we were cracking through them.
There was a small time constraint put on us as some of us were on the
second Renkum Heath drop at 1630hrs. This gave us about 3 hours to pack 15
chutes. Thankfully we had a lot of help from other jumpers and their help
was invaluable. |
 |
 |
With
the kit all packed at 1500hrs we moved to the main hanger to draw and fit
equipment for the next lift. The second lift of the day also went
well and on returning to Teuge we started to lay chutes out ready to be
packed only to find out that there was a window of opportunity to get the
youth group stood up to jump before they were due to jump the Dakota at
Renkum the following day.
The
light was going fast but at 2000hrs as it was about to settle into
the last light of the day they jumped. One young jumper landed on the far
side of the student DZ and managed to drop onto his tent.
That
night we were maxed out with all hands to the pumps repacking for the
Saturday’s lifts. We finally got to bed a 0100hrs on Saturday morning
and the youth group were up and kitted up and ready to go by 0800hrs.
Having heard that their jump at Renkum had gone well in nil wind
conditions we were under no pressure to pack all these returned
chutes as we had more than enough for the Polish Driel dropzone. |
 |
On
completion of this final drop the chutes were recovered to Teuge and
were handed over to Herve for his safe keeping back into storage. A lot of extra
effort was made behind the scenes and we as jumpers don't get to see a lot of
it. Iv now had a bit of insight and I can now see what it takes. Its bloody hard
work.
Many
thanks for all those who helped both Ian and myself in packing.
Baz
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Septembers
basic Dutch Para course at Teuge
A
Day in The Life at Teuge September 2010
By
:Lt Col William Northaker,Pathfinder USA.
For the Pathfinder UH team
member arriving at Teuge for the purpose of jumping the key airborne DZs of 17
September 1944 and the following days, friendship and camaraderie were keen
elements but there was one more, a variable, that wasn’t so keen. I thought
back to the movie “A Bridge Too Far” and “meteorologist” Denholm
Elliot’s briefing to Gene Hackman (MG Sosabowski) on the independent-minded
travel of fog. There we were, jumping uniforms ready, chutes packed, and Mother
Nature kept us in check with wind and rain.
 |
Well we made the best of it sitting in Werner’s Bistro
drinking Heineken beer and other beverages at premium prices but the
camaraderie still held and folks made alternate plans to get the most out
of the week despite the inclement weather days. |
| We have to be thankful to Roy, Ian, Lance, and Jason for
keeping us trained as opportunities arose and certainly getting in at
least a jump prior to Friday, 17 September, when we were the first since 1st
Airborne to land at Drop Zone X-Ray on Renkum Heath. |
 |
 |
Later jumps to Driel were met with a greater crowd of
spectators than at DZ X, perhaps ten cars parked along the road during
that event at least for the first chalk.
Now a Caravan (Cessna 208) is a
Caravan and not a C-47. But we still got good jumps in and it was, like
they said, a “water slide” exit. Certainly not a C-130 Combat Talon II
jump but it gets you up and into the sky. |
 |
Then there was the Channel
5 crew and actors. Well some of us living in the UK may well be featured
on Channel 5 on 11 November. Ian demonstrated the potential for an Oscar
while demonstrating the points of performance. Good humour and the
elements of concern made a good mix and the young folks likely took it on
a lot better. We were happy to see them get their jumps and perhaps the
training will turn many of their lives in positive directions. |
 |
By the
way, the camera operator mainly does Arctic region documentaries. Not sure
what his sidekick researcher does but she did leave a pleasing wake as she
wiggled around the airport. Perhaps her specialty is less Arctic although
the personality certainly was.
There
were a couple of tree incidents, one of which was on Dutch national TV. Another
involved unforgiving barbed wire. The last, I hope, was a sprained and fractured
ankle.
|
 |
Our greatest amount of concern goes to Doug Moodie, see he is named here, for
the nasty injuries he experienced in the corn field
A broken leg is no fun and Doug,get well soon mate. However, all survived
and it would serve no purpose including names other than Doug.
Amazing how fast Nick and the
staff could publish the September newsletter and did a great job on the video as
a tribute to Doug. Great humour and to the point.
Most
touching: the war memorial cemetery on Sunday. God bless them all.
London Youth group Manifest.
David Andrews
Liam Piennett
Danielle Subanney
Alexander Whitcombe
Joe Ounsworth
Eric Ghunney
Michael Overton
Rostina St James.
Kathryn Thomas
Jonathan Stowell
Jodie Hickey
Kate Subanney
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Renkum
Heath – My experience
Recently,
Pathfinder Parachute Group Europe
commemorated
Operation Market Garden by jumping onto Renkum Heath.
 |
This
large moor, designated DZ/LZ ‘X’ by General ‘Boy’ Brownings’
planning staff, was used on D-Day (17th September 1944) to
insert the 1st Parachute Brigade (the 1st, 2nd
+ 3rd Battalions, Parachute Regiment), the 21st
Independent Parachute Company (Pathfinders) + the glider-borne battalions
of the 1st Airlanding Brigade (the 1st Border
Regiment, the 2nd South Staffordshires + the 7th
Kings Own Scottish Borderers). The Pathfinders + the 7th KOSB
headed northwest to secure Ginkel Heath for the 4th Parachute
Brigade arriving the next day, while the remaining units advanced
eastwards towards Arnhem on a broad front. |
Only the 2nd
Parachute Battalion, under Lt. Col. John Frost would subsequently reach the
Rhine Bridge that opening day. The heath remained untouched since 1944. Now,
66 years to the day, another group of parachutists would descend from the
skies, paying faithful tribute to the heroes that landed, fought + died on
its black soil.
Roy
Mobsby, the group jumps coordinator made a serious effort this year to
streamline the operation for every members benefit. As the Dakota, Drag-em-oot,
was in demand from other groups that weekend; everything had to run like
clockwork. Transportation from Oosterbeek to Teuge airport was provided, with a
dedicated packing hall in the Paracentrum to ensure rigs were prepared in time
for all jumps.
A
military operation in all but name! I arrived in Holland, knowing exactly where
everything stood. I would be joined on the Renkum manifest by fellow Irish
Pathfinders, Brian D (who had jumped in Sannerville) + John (a rookie).
Completing our group was our honorary ‘Irishman’, Mr. Bruce Lindsay, who
once again made the long journey to Arnhem from the Far East. During the
weekend, I learnt a great deal from Bruce, about Scottish regimental history +
traditions. It’s always a pleasure to chat with him.
Henry
M, was also due to jump Renkum, but had to unfortunately pull out due to
unforeseen circumstances. However, completely unexpected, he kindly offered me
his jump slot. I was very touched by this gesture, and my already healthy
respect for him was greatened. I hope I can pay him back in-kind in the future
 |
Jump
day began with an early kit-up in the Teuge hangar, re-acquaintance with
regular jumpers + friends, and a traditional DZ briefing (bolloxing) by
our chief instructor, Ian Marshall. He informed us that the DZ was mainly
obstacle-free, save a few fences + a small herd of horses, which we
were not to mate with! A small storm over Renkum set back P-Hour to
midday. Being last man out on the 2nd stick, I lead out the
jumpers to the Dakota. We all had a souvenir photo taken in front of it,
as this was the last time, we were jumping the old bird. The pilots revved
up the Pratt and Whitney engines to deafening level, and we took off
gracefully. |
| 10
mins later, the first stick was despatched in 7 seconds flat, and then it
was our turn. When I stepped into the slipstream, I actually felt
exhausted from all the adrenalin, but a full canopy deployment
re-activated my senses. I was put out over the western tree line. The
ground was approaching fast, so once the trees were cleared, I faced the
wind, using the red smoke Roy laid out as the perfect wind guide. |
 |
The
horses ignore the smoke which luckily the parachutists didnt.
It
was a bit rocky coming into land, but I had a soft touchdown. I field packed
quickly on the wet grass, and headed for the RV point, via a few electric
fences, to get back to Teuge for the 2nd chalk.
Exit over Renkum. First time in 66 years. |
John,
who hadn’t been able to jump all week at Teuge due to lousy weather, was
now going to make his first jump (what better way?). The day was warmer +
brighter now, and I was tail-end Charlie again for the 1st
stick. We also had the presence of Lance Owens, as Assistant JM on board,
no doubt put there by Roy to keep Ian + Jason honest!! Mr. Marshall put us
out at minimum legal drop height again due to low cloud because I
was already over the DZ, and into a landing approach before I could think
about it. I heard Roy shout something at me at 200 feet but his Brighton
accent sounded like Tom Cruise in ‘Far and Away’, so I ignored it
on principle + trusted my PLF!!! Brian + John landed safely as well. |
Pathfinders
touch down safely.
A
small group of spectators from Renkum town were watching the drop, though sadly
no veterans (I would later discover why).
A not so small group of several hundred
spectators. |
At
the post-drop briefing, Roy congratulated us on a job well done and it was
back to Teuge to get the rigs packed for the next days jump. Que a very
long, exhausting evening in the hangar, but where every volunteer
packer showed their true worth to the Pathfinder ideal. I am proud to
be a part of such a wonderful group of people, whose selflessness knows no
bounds. |
| The
following evening meant a final rendezvous with all our guys in our
favourite pub, the Schoonoord, where logbooks are signed, jump stories are
exchanged + the limits of alcohol intoxication were explored to the nth
degree. I met Pawel Moszner + his merry men from Pathfinders Polish group,
who had impressed the Polish ambassador at Driel on their drop
there earlier in the day. Once again, I almost burnt alive after
drinking his rocket fuel vodka. Eryk, a Polish member of Pathfinder
Ireland, also was extremely proud to have jumped onto the DZ, where his
countrymen fought gallantly to aid their trapped Allies in the Oosterbeek
perimeter. |
Jumpers mingle with the general public. |
The
pub, more or less became a Pathfinder Europe club as the night progressed and
more of our members arrived. I even saw; unexpectedly in person, a reserve
Fallschirmjaeger, who has quite a ‘infamous’ reputation in military
parachuting circles for Mickey Mouse jumps trips and was pushing his luck by
being there. Luckily for him Roy had not arrived yet as he was still up to his
neck in administration duties however other members advised him to leave
post haste which he dutifully did (You must join Pathfinder to discover the
full story behind this man!). The next day, Bruce, Brian + I paid our respects
to the fallen at the Oosterbeek ceremony, and then made our way home. Another
operation successfully concluded.
The
End
Owen
Pathfinder
Ireland
P.S
The
main reason there was no veterans at Renkum was because the drop wasn't
mentioned on the official Dutch programme of commemoration ceremonies. That is
because; the various organising committees don't inter-communicate with each
other to make the programme to the same extent that Normandy committees do. This
tends to cause a lot of confusion when trying to get the right persons
permission to jump. Everyone has a Market Garden Arnhem committee which is
disappointing to hear, because as the veterans don’t have time on their side,
some of them may not get the chance next year to watch an event they missed this
year. Hopefully, this situation can be rectified, and Holland can give these
great men every opportunity to be thanked for their efforts. It’s the least
that can be done!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Cautionary Tale 
1 THOUSAND! 2 THOUSAND! 3 THOUSAND! CHECK CANOPY!!!!!
 |
How many times have we shouted those words
in training? Hundreds, possibly thousands of times for the old sweats. Now
how many of you shout it on a real jump? Be honest with your answers. 17th
Sept 2010 was my 25th round canopy jump and I can admit that I don't shout
those words these days, although on checking the canopy I do say out loud
whatever I see, good canopy or twists etc, the morning of 17th Sept I know
I said Oh F##k. My canopy was streamered, lines had twists and I was
dropping faster than I should have been to say the least! |
|
I started pulling the risers apart and fighting to
help the canopy open and eventually it did. I cleared the twists and
turned for the Drop Zone, realised I had no chance of making it as I was
too low, so turned into wind for a landing in a corn field. As I came in I
realised I was still descending much too fast, assumed the position and
accepted the landing. I cant say I felt pain but I definitely felt the
bones crunch. The pain came later!! |
 |
 |
As you do you go over in your mind what has
happened and why. Lying there I knew I had screwed up big time. I should
have gone to my reserve on seeing the canopy was not properly open instead
of fighting the risers apart. Not only that but I should've followed
all the drills iv been taught. Why I didn't is still a mystery to me but I
know damn well that the next time I jump I will be shouting out loud and
doing it right. I consider myself very, very lucky today. Iv only got
screws and plates in my ankle and leg to remind me and not a headstone. |
|
|
 |
Please learn from my mistake. Do everything you've
been taught. Even you guys with 100's of jumps because we only need to get it
wrong once to die.
Doug Moodie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medical
cover Renkum by 16PFA
Hi
all.
For those of you that may not know me or the group that
I belong to, I am Kenny Morland and I belong to 16 Parachute Field Ambulance, A
WW2 living History Group that portrays 16 PFA during WW2 and specifically there
time during the battle for Oosterbeek and Arnhem.
Our
ranks although not exclusive to, does include trained and registered medics and
nurses with many years experience who just so happen to be former British Army
too, which helps sometimes when at military events and someone requires medical
treatment for real. It wasn’t an intentional act to recruit medical personnel
it just appeared that we tend to attract those kind of people to our ranks.
I
myself am a former British Soldier and registered UK medic having served in 1
Para, 23 Parachute Field Ambulance and latterly with 16 Air Assault Brigades, 16
Close Support Medical Regiment in the Field Surgical Team (FST). I retired from
the army after 24 years and then went on to Nigeria as a private security
contractor/medical advisor and then Iraq for some 7 years working first as a
security detail operator and then as the senior medical advisor to a high
profile company which is where I came across Roy Mobsby as we happened to work
for the same company.
Prior
to Arnhem 2010 and pretty much at the last moment we had received mixed
communication via a WW2 forum that Pathfinder where jumping at the Heelsum DZ,
the first since the war it seems. Now because it was litterly the evening before
our departure to Holland and because of lack of contact numbers etc, we didn’t
have the opportunity to contact Pathfinder or Roy direct regarding the jump and
if he required any form of medical cover/presence for the DZ and as you all know
as soon as you get to Holland there are people everywhere and trying to get in
touch with them is problematic to say the least.
 |
Anyway,
armed with the snippet of information about the jump we decided to situate
ourselves close to the DZ in the woods not far from the hung up
parachutist and as we were already camped close to the DZ we decided to
enjoy the fantastic spectacle of the lads and lassies jumping from the
Dakota whilst keeping a discreet distance but still within range of
assistance should it be required.
To
that end we where situated near the Heelsum DZ on Friday 17th September
more or less in the same location as our WW2 counterparts “16 PFA” had
landed on that day and at that time approximately 66 years previously for
the push for the Bridge.
Our little group had been enjoying the parachuting from the Dakota
when the land owner of the area came to us and said that there where
Parachutists in trouble just around the corner. |
On hearing this we went to have a quick nosey as we were on
our way to the Heath anyway and found Roy Mobsby coordinating the rescue and
retrieval of both parachutist with Roy explaining that he had 1 lad hung up on a
tree and another sadly with a broken ankle as a result of landing in an 8 foot
high corn field. Typical parachute injuries regardless of what experience you
have but one which I have treated many times before doing DZ med cover for 5
Airborne and 16 Air Assault brigades.
| With
that and Roy continuing to co ordinate efforts, Dickie Townsley and I went
to have a look at Doug (The Corn Diver) in the corn field. When we got
there he was in high spirits having a smoke and a laugh with some locals
and a couple of his mates but with a very obvious 'closed malleolus
fracture' on his right foot. Again Roy had already got his finger on the
pulse and was coordinating with the local rescue services for Doug to be
retrieved.
Being the only medic on the ground and
having made an assessment of what was wrong and having the medical kit to
hand I decided to intervene as it was taking some time for the local
emergency services to arrive and I thought it prudent to make this lad as
comfortable as possible and reduce the risk of further limb injury or
serious damage to tissue and circulating vessels.
Initially when I asked him how much pain he was in, his pain score was
only about a 3 which is pretty comfortable.
|
Its OK Duane, she is here to help but can you just hang around for
a photo first mate?
|
I
explained to him who I was, what I did for a living and what I was about to do,
stating to him that "THIS WAS GOING TO HURT LIKE FUCK"!
Unperturbed Doug said fine mate, crack on! So we removed his boots and rolled
his trouser legs up trying not to destroy his WW2 kit whilst not having to
and with the help of Dickie Townsley, I reduced the fracture to mid line
vertical and proceeded to splint the fracture in preparation for the Dutch
Ambulance crew arriving. After manipulation of the fracture his pain score had
increased to a mild 8 out of 10 which was to be expected. An IV canula was then
put in the back of Doug’s hand and 2mls of Fentanyl
given to ease the pain and make much more comfortable.
The
Dutch Paramedic that had arrived on a motorbike said that we would have to
remove Doug using one of the WW2 jeeps from the Cornfield as the ambulance would
not come near it, nor did the Dutch paramedic and ambulance crew want to carry
him out. As luck would have it we had a Jeep ambulance with us and set about
preparing it for the evacuation of Doug from the field to the ambulance situated
on the tarmac road.
 |
It took about 5 minutes to ready the
jeep to stretcher mode and we then proceeded into the cornfield cutting a
huge path as we went unfortunately destroying some of the crops. Once
in position we then loaded the Doug onto the airborne stretcher and Jeep
and drove him off the cornfield to the ambulance exchange point (AXP) with
the Dutch ambulance crew. Once there it was an easy move from the jeep
onto the ambulance stretcher and into the civilian ambulance. |
| Once
strapped down and comfortable I asked Roy if he would be escorting the lad
to the Hospital, but Roy couldn't leave the DZ as there was another jump
scheduled and he was the DZ SO. I asked if he minded if I accompany Doug
to the Hospital and he said that was fine and that his family would be
waiting for him there with one of the young Dutch Parachutists. |
Kenny finishes strapping the stretcher in place.
|
 |
 |
I
have to say that on arrival at Arnhem Hospital, the staff where fantastic
and pulled out all the stops to ensure that this lad got first class
treatment. This hospital is on par if not better than any that I have seen
in the UK and a big "WELL DONE THE DUTCH MEDICAL SERVICES" is
in order for the way they looked after Doug, and an especial thank you
to the young Dutch parachutists for his willingness to be go and act as
interpreter for Doug and his family.
16 PFA Summary on the action taken:
Well I don't think anyone from 16 PFA expected to be
doing anything medical that morning of all mornings epically in light of the
date, time and location. For us it was very poignant as 16 PFA had landed in
the exact same location 66 yrs previously and no doubt where doing the same
kind of thing although on a hostile DZ. What’s even more poignant is that
with the exception of my trauma medical Bergen, our jeep and stretchers are
the original item and would have been exactly what was used and in the same
way on the day. A nice touch for us, although one that is consolation to
Doug. Post incident and whilst chatting over a beer the whole episode was a
sobering thought based on the time line but on reflection it proves that the
process worked on the day.
Kenny Morland
I thought it totally ironic that a modern ambulance did not have a 4x4
capability and the civilian medics were reluctant to lift him by stretcher
in case he had a back injury. Doug was sitting up and moving around so it
was obvious to all that the problem was his leg and that was it. It was
obvious to any former service personal present that what was needed was a
quick evacuation from the field while Doug was still in 'The Golden hour'.
The fact that a little 'Airborne Initiative' and a jeep still going strong
and doing what it had been built for 66 years ago was all that was needed to
rescue a Parachutist from a field. That plus some professional medics
certainly made a big difference. A big thank you to Kenny and his crew. Iv
sent them all a commemorative certificate as a souvenir of their day and
invited them to be part of our Drop Zone Support Group in future. I hope
they take up the offer. ED.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arnhem
2010 by Doug Moodie
I must say I've had a great week with the Pathfinder crew but
there were some mishaps which I've covered in another article but on the
whole a good week. I came over with my niece who was on the jump course
(yes another Moodie jumping lol) my sister and her husband. We arrived to
bad weather, wind and rain, pitched our tents and settled in. A couple of
lifts were dropped on the Sunday and Monday evenings for the experienced
jumpers but that was it for the next 4 days as the wind and rain took its
toll on the courses nerves and patience, they learned all about the term
hurry up and wait!!
It was great meeting with the Pathfinder regulars
again as the turned up through the week and the banter was in full flow.
Behind the scenes the preparations were under way, packing chutes, new
reserves assembled and packed, Cees and Dennis getting the Oosterbeek camp
sorted etc. To those who like to moan about the set up, YOU HAVE NO IDEA
HOW MUCH WORK GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES SO PLEASE WIND YOUR NECKS IN, your
not helping, just being a hindrance, there will always be set backs and
mistakes made but that's the way it is in our world so deal with it!!
|
Ok rant over, Thursday looked promising for the jump course
but again, strong wind meant that it was unsafe for the students,
to say they were gutted is an understatement but they will be back
to complete the jump phase in the future.
After a quick trip to the Oosterbeek
campsite to get my family settled, Baz Cox and myself decided to
return to Teuge to avoid having to catch the bus in the morning.
Back in the hanger there was still work going on, chute packing
and a couple more reserves being sorted by Ian Marshall, so
we helped where we could.
|
 |
We finally hit the sleeping bags about 3am Friday morning in fact, so it
was with bleary eyes we started getting up and ready around o6.30. Bill
Northacker was already fully kited by 7am, cam cream and helmet as well,
raring to go. He just needed his chute. As the morning wore on, everything
fell into place and the old nerves started tingling as we kited up and had
our first delay of half hour. Then it was line up in stick order for our
safety checks but yet another wait until we heard the Dakotas engines
fire up. Here we go again, YES!
 |
We marched out single file led by Lance, Ian and Jason,
lined up for our photo next to the aircraft then it was load up
time. Off we trundled to the runway for take off, a slight
pause then full power and off we went, taking off with Ian stood
in the door saluting, a small gesture to most, but one I
found quite humbling given the date and our destination.
|
|
Once more for me this was another dream about to be
realized. I had jumped into Normandy on June 6th and now
I was about to jump at Arnhem on 17th Sept both special dates
for anyone who has any airborne history. What happend with my jump
has been covered elsewhere so theres no need to bore everyone again.
Lets just say I had a perfect view of the second stick exiting
the aircraft from where I lay in that field. lol.
The rest of the weekend saw me residing in the Arnhem hospital and
gaining some shrapnel to help me heal and walk again. Unfortunately
this meant I was missing out on seeing the famous sites around
the battlefield, missing the service at Oosterbeek cemetery and
losing my beer to Nick and Heather in the Schoonoord!!
|
 |
 |
I guess I will have to come back next year.
This is where I need to say some thank
you's, my thanks as always to Roy, Lance, Jason and our deliciously
vile jumpmaster Ian Marshall (he loves that tag). Thanks to Cees and
Dennis and their other untold helpers for their efforts. To Herve
for his great work getting the kit there and new T-shirts. Without
the efforts you all put in we wouldn't have the privilege to jump
these Dz's.
To the Pathfinder crew, Baz Cox our airborne
Hobbit, Ian Pope and his good lady cara, Cees, Dennis,
Secander, Nick and Heather Bird for the excellent tribute
video. Sean, Paul and their mate, not only for visiting me in
hospital, but for your friendship and laughs throughout the week and
for all of you who have sent messages and good wishes in my
recovery,
|
I am most thankful. Its been a year since I joined
Pathfinder. I've had dreams come true, and I've met some awesome people.
Friends for life I think. It is a privilege to know you all and I look
forward to seeing you all on the Dz's next year.
Thank you all.
Doug Moodie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66th
anniversary of operation Market-Garden Arnhem-Driel,
September 2010.
 |
It
was my first time at a Market-Garden anniversary as a member of
Pathfinder Ireland. Being re-enactor of the Polish 1st Independent
Parachute Brigade for quite a while I came across guys from the
Pathfinder group during one of the military shows I was attending. I'd
seen them previously jumping into Wolfheze in 2007. It looked awesome
so when I was offered membership and the prospect of jumping from
aeroplanes I simply signed up.
It
seemed like a brilliant idea at the time. In April 2010 I had finished
my basic parachute course at Teuge with the sincere resolution:
never, ever to jump again, but then... with my newly earned
qualifications I could do a jump onto THE Polish
drop zone. Driel, and in front of veterans. From a C-47. Not even
trying, could be in 20 years time, the biggest regret of my life. I
just had to. I signed up for the Arnhem jump, paid the deposit and
kept having nightmares. |
|
Eryk being presented with his Dutch B wings by Mr Ray
Stretch,
a veteran of the Normandy
Campaign
.
|
Thursday,
16th September
The
day had come. After a lengthy drive all the way from Dublin with a
nice break in Aldershot on the way we (myself and my wife - who's also
keen fellow re-enactor) arrived to Oosterbeek. It was nearly midnight
and the camp looked deserted. We didn't even know if it was the
right camp. We managed to get the car nearly drowned down in the mud
but some kind Belgian re-enactors pushed us out of our troubles. As we
couldn't find the right place the same guys that pushed our car
offered us space in their tent. Without thinking to much we simply
went to sleep. The tiredness of nearly 20 hour behind the wheel kicked
in and that was the end of the day. |
|
Friday,
17th September
We
woke up quite early and apparently it was the right camp as I
spotted a few familiar faces. There was a little bit of organized
chaos, as the guys were just departing from the camp site to the
airfield for the morning jumps into the British DZ at Renkum
Heath. We quickly unpacked and headed off towards the DZ picking up
one of the Irish Pathfinders and one Ex-Para on the way. Arriving at
the field we found even more familiar faces from "Just Ordinary
Men" The British Airborne re-enactment group and quite a large
crowd on the verge of drop zone waiting for the jumps. |
3.jpg)
Home
from Home |
 |
Polish
DZ at Driel
Weather
was pretty much Irish – rain and sunshine and it kept changing
every minute. We kept waiting for the plane to come while observing a
Dutch Apache helicopter training for Saturday’s air show. Then, with
a little delay the familiar shape appeared on the sky. No
doubt about it – it was the C-47 Skytrain and if you were blind
– you ’d still recognize the roar of its two Pratt & Whitney
engines. Vrooom! and the 1st stick was out. All the chutes opened OK,
the plane did 2 or 3 passes over the field and the 2nd stick
jumped out. The 1st stick landed pretty close to the tree line. I
spotted one canopy dangling from the branches. At that stage I didn't
know that one of the guys had an unfortunate landing and broke
his leg. I was at the opposite side of the drop zone and being purely
a spectator didn't get any of the frantic action from the
corn field where the unfortunate parachutist was being casevaced. |
| Later
that day back in the camp Id heard all the news from the jump.
Fortunately – the guy that managed to land on the tree came out
unhurt. I'm sure that the whole show would be more enjoyable to watch
if I didn't have to do something equally stupid the very next day–
like leaving the plane in midair. |
 |
Renkum
Heath DZ.
We
missed the 2nd jump at Renkum as we walked to the re-enactor’s camp
outside Oosterbeek to meet all the people we had met the previous
year and and finally met up with with those I know purely
from internet forums. That day I didn’t stay up late. Quick beer and
straight to bed.
Saturday,
18th September
The
very day. I probably got up. I probably got dressed. I probably
managed to get myself into the bus heading towards Teuge. Don’t
really remember. Inside the bus the was surprisingly very little
joking. The atmosphere was rather tense. We got to Teuge without any
problems. It all looked so familiar. After all it was the same place I
had done my basic course only few months earlier. Only at the side of
a runway instead of rather bulky shape of An-2 was something more
eye-pleasing: A C-47. All olive drab with invasion stripes and the
whole lot. |
After
a while we were issued chutes and reserves, got divided into sticks and all
got kitted up. A few checks later, and as uncomfortable as one can be,
we walked towards the plane. Just prior to emplaning, Pawel – the CO of
Pathfinder Poland was given a piece of original WW2 parachute found in a
barn outside Arnhem by a member of public. He had it divided between all
Polish members of the club. I got my piece of silk well secured inside the
smock. Not being superstitious , but just in case... The whole load of
parachutists were neatly arranged on the Ground, the engines started and
plane took off. I was trying not to look through the hole where the door
should be. Fear of heights doesn't really help in parachuting.
Red
light, green light, Go! And the 1st stick was gone.
|
Pawel
Moszner leads the Polish first stick out of the DC3. |
7.jpg)
Right
on the DZ marker. |
Time
for me to get up. I'm the no. 5 in the 2nd stick. I hooked up the static
line, double checked and again and again. Just to be sure. Equipment check,
sound off, one or two seconds of hesitation and then: GO! Shuffle towards
the door. Suicidal moment of leaving the plane. Hands on reserve, 1000!
2000! 3000! Check Canopy! Yes, it’s there, it’s round and it seems I can
land it. Now, I can breathe again, heart can beat again and the Drop Zone
should be there somewhere.....
 |
I can see the smoke
so I'm trying to steer towards the marked field but it’s already the
time to turn into wind... wait a moment... too early, I'm heading
straight into the ditch! I've missed it by inches (few meters really
but while falling 5m/s it felt like inches). Legs and arms together,
STOMP, roll over, stand up (not so easy being dragged by the huge
canopy), run around the chute to deflate it. Still shaking I'm as I'm
grabbing my kit together. |
10.jpg) |
9.jpg)
Second
stick touches down. |
 |
Michiel
Nelis, Pathfinder Netherlands very
own water dowser doing what comes naturally. |
A happy
Eryk. |
Now, I know why I keep doing it. For this exact
moment. My wife is there as DZ party only a few meters away. I can now watch
the other guys landing. 'Swampy' seems to live up to his nickname. He
managed to land exactly in the middle of the water filled ditch. That’s a
rare skill, given that there’s 99% more meadow than ditches around.
14.jpg) |
15.jpg) |
|
We were lucky enough
to have the Polish veterans watching on the DZ. |
16.jpg) |
Next stop – Driel. Commemoration service for
the veterans. After all – this is all for them. Many speeches, some
traditional Polish music and 9 of the surviving Polish Para's laid wreath at
the memorial.
|
 |
A
touching moment. |
 |
After party in nearby community center. A
few re-enactors (including myself) sneaked in for a quick chat with the
veterans. They all seem pretty lively and in a good mood. I had my jump log
book signed by the very guys who had jumped in the same place 66 years
ago but for them the jump was just a means of transportation. We also met
the official representation of the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade from Kraków.
They had been watching our jump and complimented us on a job well
done.
|
| This evening was a little
bit longer. Finally a well deserved social evening at the
Schoonoord Airborne Restaurant in Oosterbeek.
Sunday,
19th September
That
morning we paid a visit to Hotel Hartenstein – Airborne
Museum and then straight for the 'March to the Bridge'. They had
started bit earlier them planned but we meet up with them outside the
museum. The whole march (around 8km) is just a nice touch to the whole
experience. Once you get the pace you can march and march. |
The
Polish veterans signed the jumpers log books. |
The
idea is to cover the distance from Wolfheze DZ to bridge in Arnhem – the
actual original objective of the whole operation. It’s nice to see the
Maroon (British) and Grey (Polish) Airborne berets marching together. At the
bridge we had jeeps waiting for us and in no time we were back in
Oosterbeek. It was a nice finishing ice touch. The rest of the day was just
hanging around and site seeing. and getting ready for the journey back home.
Monday,
20th September
.....And
that’s it. Wake up 4 am and head in the direction of the Dunkerque
ferry port. If not for HM Customs at Dover, exploded tyre on M25,
2 rather interesting hitchhikers – journey home would be just long and
boring. In this case it was just long.
Eryk Rawicz-Lipinski, Pathfinder Ireland
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An
eventful first year with Pathfinder group
 |
Exactly
one year ago I learned about the existence of the Pathfinder
Parachute group Europe. My friend Sekander Raisani
and I were having a
beer at the Schoonoord
bar after having watched the drops at Ginkel heath.
Sekander heard from John the owner of Schoonoord
that his wife Monique had just completed the course run
by the Pathfinder group and earned her Dutch B wings. At that
time we didn’t know that is was possible to do round canopy jumps in
Holland and that civilians through Pathfinder, could participate in
commemorative drops. Overwhelmed with the news we had heard that
evening we made a pact that in the coming year we would earn our Dutch
wings and jump a historic drop zone during the Market Garden
commemoration. |
We
made contact with Roy and
learned that this group was formed by former members of the British
Parachute Regiment and that the Parachute Regiment
traditions and methods were
deeply ingrained within his
group. The other thing we learned during that conversation was that
jumping was just one small part of it. The remembrance and interest in the
history behind the jumps and events of
WW2 also played a big role. As an Arnhem native I liked that part of it
just as much. So we joined.
It
was a long wait for the April course that we had signed up for. When the
Sunday came that the course started on we travelled in anticipation to
Teuge. Not knowing what to
expect we entered the bar. It was full of people in army fatigues from
a number of countries who were
visible having a good time. After introducing ourselves to the staff and
some of the jumpers we had a look around the airfield. Teuge airfield is a
very nice place. It was a very busy
day as the Cessna was taking load after load of jumpers
into the sky. We were new to parachuting and this was nice to see but
also very daunting. In the coming days I'm gonna jump from a
plane? After watching the
spectacle for a while we where called to the classroom for administration
and a introduction into round canopy parachuting, the drop zone, drills etc,
by the boss himself. We had luck that a lot of the guys in the student group
were already experienced jumpers and they were all very helpful.
THE
COURSE
Monday:
consisted
of ground training, more theory and parachute packing lessons.
 |
Tuesday:
Met
Jason who was going to be our jumpmaster during the course. On my
first jump I was second on
the first stick. A French guy was first, an experienced jumper but he
probably didn't understand a word of English. When the door opened
and was asked to the door, he just went. Jason
didn't say it but he had the WTF look on his face. As a
consequence I had to come to the door and sat there until we
reached the DZ. I haven't been
that scared so much in the last ten years. The drop itself went
Ok, although I think Jason helped me a little out of the plane I kicked
and according to eye witnesses instinctively tried to grab
the plane after the exit. I landed on the DZ and that was probably the
only thing I did right. |
Wednesday:
The
first drop went
ok, I landed in one
piece and afterwards learned the other definition
of PLF. Pack like F**k. Parachute packing is hard and tedious work. I
have the uttermost respect to the chief packers and the all the guys who
helped. The second drop was in the afternoon. This drop
for me was one in the ”No shit there I was, I thought I
was doing to die” category. We were despatched at around 2000 feet and
high up I made some steering faults. I didn't want to collide or steal
air from the other jumpers and
choose a different route in which I misjudged the wind factor
completely. At about 500 feet I
recognized my errors and saw
that I wouldn't make it to the DZ. I turned into wind and tried to
reach a field next to it. In a flash I saw trees, barbed wire, a 50
mile an hour road and a ditch. With some luck I managed to land
dead center in the ditch.
(We
teach our students to go for the center of the water filed ditches. If they
try to land on the side the steep banks of the ditches will break a leg or
ankle. He made the right choice. ED)
| It
was deep and smelly. Relieved
to have survived this I tried to climb the bank which was
not easy as there were hundreds of litres
of water scooped inside
the parachute. Suddenly there was Roy on the other side of the ditch,
shouting at me “Parachutes
are not made for fishing and if you
want to swim and get a suntan there are other groups around to
join” Roy was right,
Its just not cost-efficient to fish with round canopies.
Back in the hanger I was nicknamed 'Swampy', as according
to the other members I looked and smelt like the 'Creature from
the Black lagoon'. |
 |
|
'Swampy'
tries to drain the water from his chute. |
 |
Thursday:
Two
drops from the Antonov. The An2 'Colt' is a great plane to learn
about standing exits.
Personally I think a
standing exit feels a lot better than a sitting one as there is
nothing natural about butt hopping out of an aircraft. Both drops were
on the student DZ and all the other jumpers also made it without
injuries.
|
Friday:
All
the students received their Dutch B Wing and the Pathfinder
proficiency wings from Mr. Ray Stretch. A WW2 veteran
who served with the Hallamshire battalion of the Yorks and Lancs
Regiment (49 Div/Polar bears). A real honor, as his division liberated
Arnhem in 1945. Unfortunately there were no Dutch people present at the time
as most inhabitants where
forcibly removed by the Germans after Market Garden. Too bad the course was
now over, it was a great week in which I met
a lot of fine people.
 |
Den
Burg 5-5-2010
The
next week I planned to watch the demo the group was giving at the
John Frost Bridge. Two
days before I got
the word that there were some empty seats on the Den Burg drop and
that if we wanted we could jump. So Sekander and I travelled to
the Isle of Texel and met up with the team. There were some familiar
faces and some other members who we had never met.
Paddy Rehill was the team leader and the jumpmaster was Jason
Snailham. |
The
DZ was perfectly suited for inexperienced jumpers like me i.e with the
near perfect weather conditions we had you couldn’t miss it. It was
huge. No trees or barbed wire and only a few ditches. All the jumpers landed
on the DZ and I think we
showed the spectators a good
demo. After saying goodby to
the other guys, Sekander and I visited the allied cemetery. Most graves
belonged to downed airmen as the island didn’t see much conflict during
the war. The only real action that happened on this island, was the uprising
at the end of the war of Georgian soldiers who were attached to the
Wehrmacht, against the Germans. A truly strange story. This battle lasted
until six days after the official end of the war. But that's another story.
All in all it was a honour to
jump round canopy style on 5 May, Dutch liberation day.
Now
we had to wait till September, the 66 anniversary of Market Garden. The
group were doing different drops that week. A couple at Renkum, the original
DZ-X and a drop at Driel, where roughly the 1st Independent
Polish Brigade was dropped. I
signed up for 2 drops, one at Renkum and one at Driel. Sekander and myself
came in on the Monday to make a refresher jump. We met up with a lot of guys
we met earlier in the year and got to know some of the other members. It was
very busy at Teuge as there were two courses running simultaneously. We
were lucky as that was the only day that week that the weather conditions
were good enough to make a jump. Too bad that all the new students couldn't
make any jumps.
 |
Friday
17 September 2010 Renkum DZ-X
Finally
the day came to drop on
my first historic DZ. We arrived early at Teuge. We barely had time to
have a breakfast as all the people on that drop had to be kitted up
and than we had to wait for a hour and a half, because the weather
conditions weren't good enough. Than we marched of to the airplane, a
beautiful Dakota C-47. With a mixture of excitement and fear I
boarded the plane. Our jump masters were Ian Marshall who for the
first time was my jumpmaster and Jason Snailham. The two Pratt&
Whitney engines started revving up and we took off. It was actually a
nice flight. The first stick made itself ready to jump and after
circling the DZ one or two times the first stick was despatched. From
my window I saw one of the jumpers landing in a tree. Now my
stick had to prepare itself. |
After
checking, double checking and more checking, we went. I was number 7 in that
stick. The drop was lower than that I was used to. After been dropped I
focused on the smoke and the other jumpers around me and turned into wind. A
few moments later I landed pretty soft and on the DZ. It was a great
feeling and I chatted with the other jumpers when the news came that
one of the jumpers made a hard landing and possible fractured a ankle. That
was the only bad thing that happened on a otherwise great day. Went back to
Oosterbeek had a beer and went to bed early as we had to jump the next day
also.
Saturday
18 September Driel DZ
This
day the drop was at Driel where the Poles under Gen. Sosabowski landed. It
was again to be from the C-47. Again I was excited and scared at the
same time. We were briefed and I saw that it was the smallest DZ that I
had ever jumped up until now. The Rhine was fast flowing almost next to
it. This time Lance Owens also joined as a second jumpmaster. I was number 5
in the fourth stick. It was a beautiful sight from the air, the DZ with the
Rhine and Arnhem/Oosterbeek in the background. The exit went fine and as we
were dropped perfectly I immediately turned into wind. I oversaw a
ditch which crossed the DZ completely. When I became aware of it I
thought I didn't have enough airtime to clear it and made the decision
to try and land it. This luckily worked and I landed dead center. Roy
came immediately to help me capewell the chute, he didn't yell
this time. He just shook his head.
 |
(Having
landed between to fields usually used for live stock 'Swampy ' and
myself had to endure several short sharp eclectic shocks from the
cattle fence as we released his capewells and tossed his parachute
over the fence. I thought it hurt a bit but 'Swampy' was
standing in the water and so it must have been doubly bad for him. He
didn't complain and to be honest he made the right choice.)
All
the other guys made it to the DZ without injuries and when we
regrouped there was a Polish band playing for us and some of the
Polish veterans present. Afterwards we went to Driel and followed the
service which was very humbling. Later that evening we met most
of the guys at the Schoonoord bar.
Sunday
was the service at Oosterbeek military cemetery which is always a
very moving experience. It had been a great week and a great
year with the Pathfinder group and I hope to meet and jump with
the guys and girls again next year. |
|
A
special thanks goes out to the staff (Roy, Ian, Lance, Jason, Nick and
Herve). The Packing staff (Bazz, Cees, Ian and Dennis) and all the
individual jumpers (Paddy, Owen and the rest to many to name)who
helped. Simon Weorlee, Basten Oudmayer and all the staff at Teuge and
all the fine men and women Pathfinder Parachute Group Europe we met.
Michiel
'Swampy' Nelis, Pathfinder Netherlands
|
 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arnhem,
Tour of Duty.
The final selection before the final selection
Well for starters its a crap misleading
title but I felt now was the time to write the article for the web site
and the newsletter defending certain aspects of this project. It was never
about turning young people into Paratroopers and recreating the battle of
Arnhem which one advert tried to imply. The whole idea was to take a bunch
of soft, computer indulgent kids and put them through a living history
lesson culminating in a parachute jump into Arnhem scaring the shit out of
them and giving them food for thought as an end project. Simple Eh! I
didn't think so either.
Weapon training.
|
Patrolling
|
|
Members from 'Just ordinary men' help to
supervise the defensive positions |
To start with one or two people
saw the first episode and ripped into it and some of my instructors.
One person who later apologized, insulted Ian Marshall quite badly.
If it had been done in the bar he would have been counting teeth.
Now I don't really have to introduce Ian as anyone who has been on
our web site knows him. Former Paratrooper, World record
holder,10,000 jumps , Champion canopy relative work coach, my senior
jump master and one of my best friends. In all fairness it takes a
big man to apologies for the things the guy said on line but when he
realized his mistake apologize he did. We are the real thing. All
our senior instructors and the vast majority of our members are
Para's. |
Martin with his mortar crew.
|
|
| Now when we
were first approached by Wayne Monkman himself a former Para who had
made a couple of anniversary jumps with us and holds German wings
qualifications, about helping out with the making of a youth group
project ,we were a bit wary. Well to be truthful, I was a bit
wary. We had been screwed twice by TV Companies promising the earth
and then going back on the deal as well as seeing the screwing the
Parachute Regiment has received over the years from the media. I
have a built in regimental distrust of the media, cameramen and
paparazzi as a whole. However Wayne convinced us it was for a
Independent TV company called Popcorn working for Channel 5 and that
apart from being good for his business it couldn't do us any harm.
Iv heard that before but Wayne is a mate and Airborne Brother and we
look after our own. |
No1 PTS
for the ground training at
RAF Brize Norton.
|
We had about six months
warning this was going to happen. We were to do an interview
selection of over 60 youths. Then they were to have two beat up
weekends similar to the TA selection weekends. Then they
were going to have a two week camp which apart from being yet
another selection was to beat them into something resembling a
soldier but when almost five months had gone by and Wayne was
tearing what little hair he had out of his head there was still no
money for equipment. He ended up taking a gamble and putting his
own money up for tents , uniform and webbing. The Para course
needed to be paid for. I already had a full course running at
Teuge but we decided we could run a back to back course. The slots
had to be reserved and Wayne paid this out of his own pocket
initially.
|
Putting up the tented encampment at Teuge.
|
The initial selection had taken
place during a two day music and youth projects event in Croydon. As
the town is twinned with Arnhem,10 Para was created for the Arnhem
drop and 2 Company was originally based there so there was the link.
All the youths therefore had to come from the Croydon area.The first
day was Asian music and the stand had been placed by the organizers
out of sight around the back of the event.This meant Wayne and Ian
had to go canvassing people around the site.The majority of those
approached were not content with the fact that they were going to
get an 'Outwards bounds ' course or that they were going to have a
Parachuting course paid for them as well as a couple of weeks of
food, accommodation and expenses paid for and not to mention
appearing on TV.... |
| And the main point making
this as a tribute to our veterans who gave so much so that the youth
of today can be like they are. Please note I have not mentioned
lazy, disrespectful or labored on the point that this was the Asian
music day.
Most spoken to wanted to know what was in it for
them and how much we were prepared to pay them. So much for
patriotism. Either way only a couple of names were taken and it was
a very disappointing start to the project. Day 2 was a bit
different. The theme was youth movements and opportunities and
seemed to draw a completely mixed crowd but with more people open to
the idea of the project. It was still a disappointing number of
youths, however they now had the nucleus to build the project on. |
|
A quiet moment |
I went to East Croydon a few days later
for the selection process. Ahmed and Sam who I might add are not
white and have a different religion to most of us were the two
youth workers responsible for keeping the youth group happy and
legal. Heaven forbid we be politically incorrect so immediately I
could see I was not going to be having much to do with this
project. Sam and Ahmed had been trained by Pathfinder a few years
before for a similar project which had been a rousing success.
Both had passed the Dutch Para course and had jumped at Normandy
and Arnhem during the anniversaries. They knew how we worked
and we knew they would be OK so no problems there.
One kid wasn't sure who Sir
Winston Churchill was, another wasn't sure who Hitler was so we
knew these were the type of person we were targeting. I just hoped
they would have a rough idea who they were by the time we
finished.
|
Ahmed packing his own chute
|
Practicing the Dakota exit.
|
Finally the film company
started to get their act together with a flurry of excuses for
everything they had not so far been able to do.
The weather turned lousy and it ended up a 'Hurry up and
wait'
|
I was once given a
good saying by another parachutist, one which I like to repeat at
every opportunity. 'Excuses are like arse holes. Everyone has
one'. Money started to trickle through and Waynes nervous twitch
started to disappear. Now he had one week to get them beasted,
whittled down and selected ready for the next phase
which was to be the Dutch Para course
at the Dutch National Paracentrum at Teuge in Holland. A stone throw
from Arnhem and our base of operations. |
Still waiting and the strain is starting to show.
|
You will have to see the program to
appreciate what went on however the first episode got a lot of stick
because although it showed the kids getting shouted at , screamed
at, thrown into deep shit and wearing their kit all wrong it glossed
over a lot of stuff that would have given it more credibility. What
it showed was heart wrenching stuff for kids who had never done
anything more physical than running for the bus. However it didn't
show enough. It didn't show the enthusiasm for the weapons training.
It didn't show our re-enactment mates Baz and Ian from 'Just
Ordinary men' or Fallschirmjager group showing them how to put their
webbing on right . Or teaching them basic battlefield formation so
they could at least put up some semblance of battle field skills
during the one day they had and the couple of hours to film the
battle sequence. |
| One young lad wanted
to take the Bren gun home with him and two others became addicted to
carrying, setting and firing the 81mm mortar. Martin had never had
such an enthusiastic team. Having carried the mortar base plate on
exercise I think they must have been bloody mad. |
|
The
Youth group and some of the 'Hard Core' Pathfinder jumpers |
All the jumpers being briefed.
|
| It showed the assault course which
they all nearly died on but it was glossed over. It didn't show you
the group finish the log run and immediately get the stretcher off the
back of the truck and do the stretcher race simply because the film
company was running out of daylight and then not content with that
they also completed a couple of more miles on a run so...yes you
guessed it, the film company were running out of film time. I think a
few seconds viewing of all of them on their hands and knees puking up
afterwards might have convinced the general public that these kids
really were giving it 100%. OK, It was not P Company and it
wasn't SAS selection but it wasn't the crap they turned out for 'Bad
lads Army' or the 'Bad lads extreme'. Neither of those programs had an
ounce of realism in them and here is a company that is missing its
chance because they though it would not make good tea time viewing
watching two dozen kids compete for 'technicolor yawn dream kid
of the week' after putting them though their own type of hell. |
Everyone learns to pack...and you jump the one your packed
so you get it right first time.
|
| After several mishaps and
sacking's (which you will have to watch the program to see) our
intrepid youth group complete with youth workers, Camelot (Waynes
company) Pathfinder staff and some of our hard core jumpers departed
for Holland by ferry. What the civilians on the boat thought of
a group of young kids in badly fitting WW2 uniform I will never know
and don't want to. After a long drive everyone reached Teuge and while
I went to book the main course into their accommodation Wayne, Sam,
Ahmed and the youth group set up their tents on the other side of the
airfield. |
The DC3 arrives.
|
The film company had paid Wayne for
the privilege of filming but they had not paid us anything other
than for the Parachute course. Lives were at stake and I didn't want
the film crew getting in the way. The agreement was for them
to film from a distance and anything they saw that they thought
might make a good shot they would re-shoot in the evening. All we
asked for in return was to be put along with everyone else on the
credits. Seemed a small price to pay for what was to be an award
winning program.
The kids got into the
training and seemed to be doing well. Some of our regular local
jumpers carried out a demonstration drop for them while we briefed
them on the student DZ. The main course running parallel was coming
along fine but the weather was getting worst and things didn't look
too good. As the days turned bad weather wise so the film crew
wanted more and more footage and started to get in the way. It also
gave the appearance of them getting preferential treatment over the
main adult group which didn't help. This caused some minor animosity
which I was able to smooth over. By now I was wishing I had not
agreed to this.
|
|
Sam and Ahmed
|
Guess who has just completed their first
jump? |
 |
 |
| Taking advantage
of the bad weather Sam took the group first to Deventer to where the
filming of 'A Bridge to Far' had been made due to the fact that the
real bridge had been rebuilt after the war. Then to Arnhem. In the
second episode he can be seen tearing into the group verbally because
they were not showing enough respect for the place. He said things
that I could not have said because it would not have been PC for me to
say it, however all credit to him he bollocked them and all credit to
the film crew for keeping some of it in. They are seen in one episode
visiting the Arnhem museum. Despite the crappy new addition to the
Hartenstein hotel which totally ruined its charm and the sacrileges
digging up of the memorial flower garden by some idiot Dutch
contractor its hallowed ground to most Airborne soldiers and their
familes. You can see some of the group are really interested in
the exhibits but to the others it was just another museum and meant
nothing to them....Until they jumped and met the vets and then it all
changed. |
Visiting Arnhem.
|
Finally on the last
evening of the course the winds dropped enough for a last light jump.
Most of them being first time jumpers probably had their eyes shut on
exit anyway so the failing light didn't make any difference. All of
them jumped and no refusals so I was chuffed with that. Their
excitement was now building and they were actually looking forward to
the Renkum Heath jump. We hadn't scared them enough. I was going to
have to have a word with Ian, the senior jumpmaster as he must
have been loosing his touch. The guy scares me! They then went
back to the hanger still on a high and got ready for their early
morning start. |
|
The second episode gives the
impression the Dakota aircraft came in especially for them. I'm not
sure what the producer was thinking of but he failed to show
the 60 plus members of Pathfinder Parachute Group Europe who came
from all around the world to complete the parachute displays for our
veterans onto two different drop zones. They didn't show us jumping
twice on Friday onto Renkum heath, a Drop zone that had not been
used since 1944. Another first for Pathfinder. Although they did
film the youth group being dropped onto Renkum early Saturday
morning they failed to film our Polish Pathfinder group jumping onto
the Polish DZ at Driel in front of Polish veterans and members of
the Polish embassy staff. They also failed to capture the atmosphere
of Arnhem and the Ginkle heath DZ. No doubt this was due to the two
1 hour limits put on the program but I think if you are going to do
something like this you need a proper military advisor looking over
your shoulder telling what not to leave on the cutting room floor.
|
Meeting some of the re-enactors and
collectors who come to Arnhem every year. |
| I cant see a
'Directors cut' DVD being made out of this program but they should, as
it seems to have left out the important bits. So a lot of missed
opportunities there. Iv decided that the next 21 year old that tells
me they know what they are doing and have a degree in media studies
will have to have it surgically removed from a place where the sun
don't shine. |
|
 |
|
A little apprehension shows on Danielle's face. Sam on the
left is about to jump in the first stick alongside Pete Dahl who is
last man of a Pathfinder experienced stick. Pete is a former Para.
The youth group are in good company
|
Second stick out.
|
 |
Testing the current of the Rhine.
|
Still fast flowing and a challenge after all these years.
|
| They did film the
youth group at Ginkle heath and they did film them chatting to the
veterans at the Schoonoord restaurant. The short pieces were the
veterans were interviewed was very good. I can listen to those guys
and their war stories all day.They went through hell....which was what
we were trying to explain to the kids. The veterans comments
afterwards was they seemed a little immature compared with the youth
of their day but they couldn't fault their enthusiasm or their
willingness to learn all they could about WW2 and Arnhem. They
really wanted to know about the veterans experiences. You have to
remember it was nothing to leave school at 14 years of age in
1944 and help support your family. My own father worked on
the railway at 14 and many of my Scottish relatives were down the Coal
pits at that age. It had been the aims of the program to educate
members of a generation that had a completely different outlook on
life and on the whole a selfish one. Here was a bunch of kids who do
not get taught proper English history at school and as such have no
pride in their countries historical achievements because too many tree
hugging , loony left , well meaning but total stupid school teachers
think its PC not to tell them. The kids are not deliberately
being none caring, they just don't know. WW2 computer games are great
but teach you nothing about history. In battle you don't get re-spawned. |
What it was all about.
|
These were the youth of their day and no older than some of
our youth group
|
Youth group prepare to lay flowers on the Airborne graves at
Oosterbeek
|
and then a moment of silence.
|
|
Finally they went home full
of their new experiences. The youth group hired a community hall for
the big screening. Members of the PRA were in attendance. Over two
night, two, one hour episodes were shown. Everyone thought it was a
great production. The kids being shown being put through hard
graft, their confusion and at times heartbreaks at the regime they
now found themselves in. Comments from the instructors on their
dissatisfaction at the attitude of some and the outstanding efforts
of others. ..But it didn't show enough.....It didn't paint as good a
picture as it should have....as it could have. Its was a bit
frustrating for all of us. The kids jumped and then jumped again.
The youth workers jumped with them. At least it was a better show
than most of the 'Reality ' shows on TV. The thing we did notice was
not one of the kids, groups, youth workers ,re-enactment groups,
Camelot or Pathfinder were mentioned in the scrolling credits in the
end.
|
End Ex and proud families come to reclaim their offspring
|
| When I asked the director
why this was he told me we hadn't asked. Now excuse me for being thick
but I thought that was something you would do out of pure courtesy as
correct me if I'm wrong but it could not have been done without all
concerned. |
|
Did I enjoy helping to make the program?
No I did not.
Did I think we achieved the aim which was not to
recreate the battle of Arnhem but to give a bunch of modern youths
the Living history lesson of their lives? Yes.
Did they learn anything? Yes , a hell of a lot.
Did they appreciate what they had learned? Yes.
The comments they made in their video diary's and the final comments
by the youths made it worth while.
Would I do it again. Hmmmm? Yes, but there are
certain things I would do differently. One being a contract where we
spell out what the production team can and cant do.
Do I think the program achieved its aim?.. Yes but it
could have been so much better.
Final comments. Jodie Hickey
who was the smallest girl on the course will be coming back to
Holland with Dad David in April to complete the four jumps she has
left to qualify for her Dutch B wing. David is himself a former
soldier from the 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment (V). Also
retuning on the course will be Joe Ounsworth with Dad Gary also a
former 10th Battalion soldier. More of the group wish to come back
later in the year. There will be no cameras around so they will find
it a completely different environment and this time they can enjoy
the jumping without any pressure. I may even use Joe and Jodie to
demonstrate Parachute landing falls to the fathers just in case they
have forgotten how to do them...Properly.
The photos in this article were taken by Kate
Subanney, one of the youth outreach staff and who attended the
course and trained alongside the group.
|
Lastly here are some of
the main people who should have appeared in the credits.
|
|
Pathfinder Parachute group Europe.
Its staff, parachute packers and jumpers.
The Dutch National Paracentrum Teuge.
London Youth action
Sam Afful-Logitse
Ahmed
Pathfinder jump masters and Instructors.
Ian Marshall
Jason Snailham
Lance Owens.
|
The group themselves
David Andrews
Liam Piennett
Danielle Subanney
Alexander Whitcombe
Joe Ounsworth
Eric Ghunney
Michael Overton
Rostina St James
Kathryn Thomas
Jonathan Stowell
Jodie Hickey
Kate Subanney
'Just Ordinary men'
Fallschirmjager
|
'Finally all credit must go to the Officers ,NCO's and staff of No
1 Parachute Training School and PCAU
(Parachute Course Administration Unit) who gave up a lot of their
time and effort to give the youth group a day of 'Realism'. This days
training finally woke them up to the fact that this was not a game and if
they didn't do it right they could die. '
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rain,
wind and the best time
Teuge and Renkum
September 2010, by the Webmaster
After a year posting on the website of stories, articles, CV updates,
video’s, New pages and picture galleries. Getting married and
missing the Arnhem bridge and Normandy drops, Heather and I finally managed
to get ourselves out to Holland.
We had both spent a great deal of time and money on a new tent, ferry
fee's, hotel fee's 2 new Denson jackets, badges patches and a camera, Course
fee's, Jump fee's etc, that by the time we arrived we were both really ready
to get stuck into parachute packing and jumping as well as meeting new and
old friends.
|
Dennis a
new friend |
Bernard
we first met last year |
September is the pinnacle of our Pathfinder group year.
Arriving at lunchtime on the Saturday we settled down in the campsite and
watched as the other groups and individuals arrived, and then set out for
the airfield.
On arriving we found several pathfinder members already having done at
least 1 jump and some had the cuts a bruises to show for it due to barbed
wire and high ground gusting winds. The mood was good and the weather for
the Sunday looked good.
|
Nick
being kit Checked Sunday jump 1 |
On Sunday I got in 2 jumps
along with a few of the refresher only members, things were still
looking good. Monday 1 more jump in to show the course members how it
is done and then settled back parachute packing and telling and
re-telling old stories.
By Tuesday to Friday morning the weather was bad, high winds and
rain left us all a little down as we watched the course's practice and
re-practice there drills.
With 2 courses running together this
seamed at first to be a little busy, but they were at two different
stages in there training and so as always with Roy's, Ian's, Lance's
and Herve's planning, everything came together. |
|
Friday arrived and the
first Drop into Renkum happened in the morning with a second in the
afternoon. Unfortunately we got a report of one of the jumpers having
hurt his ankle and one ended up in a tree, But the second drop went in
fine. Latter we found out the chap with the hurt ankle had in fact
broken his leg on landing. We all agreed landing in a corn field is
tricky at the best of times.
We nick named him 'niblets'
( after the corn field he landed in )
.
That evening the younger
group got there first jump in at the training centre, some deciding to
pretend that there Parachutes were kites and fly 2 fields out of the
DZ and two of them landed in a dike. |
Nick Kit
check Sunday Jump 2 |
One of them got the nick name
from me as Sparky as he electrocuted two of the instructors ( me being one
), when we were helping them out of the field and under an electrified fence
and back to the transport.
| Saturday arrived and
finally my day to jump from the DC3, I had been looking forward to
this all year and here I was first man in the first stick with more
video camera's catching all the action than I have ever seen before,
including Heather who had never seen me jump from inside an aircraft. |
 
Renkum Saturday
- action stations -GO GO GO |
| The first
stick was made up of experienced members and the second stick by our
new younger members. I am very proud to say everyone in that jump on
both sticks performed very well, particularly pleased with the younger
group who's exits and PLF landings all looked very good, even if
'Sparky' did decide to yet again fly with the wind close to the edge
of the DZ. |
I am really proud to be part of the pathfinder Group Europe as I see all
the comments and thank you's from many different people, as well as all the
planning that goes into setting it all up.
| One story stands out to
attest to the friendship and group camaraderie, Dave Mote presented
the senior members, Heather and myself with a named pathfinder pin,
Thanks Dave we will wear it with pride.
My particular thanks go out to Ian Pope and Baz Cox for there
tireless energy in parachute packing, to Ian Marshall and Jason for
re-training, , and for despatching us all so professionally, Roy (the
boss) and Lance ( Course admin ), for being so patient when ever I
asked a stupid question and Herve for supplying the new T shirts (
that we had to have ), also to everyone else to numerous to mention
for being just great company. Thanks Guys. |
 |
| With the Customary drink
and feed at the Schoonoord in Oosterbeek, a hand shake or to with the
Veterans, that we the mad few, do all this for. A visit to the
Hartenstein Museum, there to get a souvenir or two and to get my Jump
log Stamped. We Now started on our long 24 hour journey back home.
This started with a visit to see our friend ( Niblets) in the
hospital and as he was released that day helped him out to freedom and
back with his family.
But for us this is only the beginning, as we are now gathering in
the Photo's and Video's, News articles and "No shit there I
was" stories. |
 |
The season may be over, but the work has only just begun, and I now have
a task of producing a 2010 End of season DVD ( if enough footage and photo's
are sent in soon enough ).
Looking forward to Normandy and Teuge in 2011 already.
Nick and Heather Bird
Webmaster / Assistant to the jumps ops coordinator and Assistant web
master
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Hubei jump
school
Click here or on the preview
window below to view the PDF article
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Cessna Caravan jumps
made...................................................... 176
AN2 'Colt' jumps
made................................................................
63
DC3 Dakota jumps
made............................................................. 133
Total individual parachute descents made for 2010. =372
Stats complied by Lance Owens Pathfinder UK.
|
