Arnhem Adventures

thumb_arnhem65th Two Bears were privileged to participate in the 65th Anniversary of the Arnhem landings (Operation MARKET GARDEN).

This was, sadly, going to be the LAST time there would ever be a full-on commemoration of the landings, with WW2 aircraft and veterans. The privilege of 2 Bears being able to participate cannot be understated ... thanks to those who made it possible

After Cpl Arnhem's initial adventure, Sgt Hotspur arrived in the post by the skin [or fur] of his teeth - just the day before we were off again for the Drop Weekend at Arnhem - or rather it was more like a week. Another early morning start, going via Aldershot to pick up Stuart McLaren, then on to Dover, eventually we docked in Dunkirk and had a very long drive to Teuge where we dropped the Girls and Stuart off. David had to go back to Belgium for a business meeting. The Girls and Stu stayed at the Parachute Centre for the night, and had a very raucous night in the bar with the their Pathfinder friends. We later found out that the Girlies got evicted from the bar (drunk and disorderly again) - they swear it wasn’t their fault, but the fact that Julie doesn’t remember leaving the bar says it all ... !!!

Next day we went to the campsite in Wolfheze. David and Stuart began putting the tent up, The Girls found a bottle of Pimms and opened a bar, everyone gathered for drinks and our tent became the “Party Tent”. The girls can drink!!!! Didn’t they realise that we Bears had to Parachute the next morning? Still a few beers helped to calm the nerves!!!

Thursday - first jump day for Brave Bears - it was all systems go at first light; well for some of us anyway. The Girls never once made it to breakfast, and when they did surface it was to do their social butterfly bit chatting to all their mates, wearing bright pink PJ’s. The Bears followed, not wanting to miss out on the numerous photo shoots!!! Anyway, we were allocated our Jump partners for the day - they were Denis Melia and Norman Gibson. Sgt Hotspur was so pleased that he was going to be shoved inside a smock being as he still don’t have any trousers, and its a tad chilly in September!!! Cpl Arnhem kept rubbing my nose in it (just cos he has full kit), he now thinks that I arranged for him to be kidnapped: paranoid or what!!

The Girls waved us good bye as we left for the airfield - huh - Cpl Arnhem was quaking in his trousers!!!

Sgt Hotspur completed his 11th Jump with Denis Melia, No.6, 1st Stick from the Antonov.

Cpl Arnhem ended up jumping with Peter Dahl as, according to the Dutch Jump Master, Norman had not done enough jumps to go “Tandem" ... so it was 2nd Antonov, No.4, 2nd stick.

Wow….what a day…..need to celebrate now…

Arnhem is now Airborne….woop woop!!!

It was a great day at Wolfheze with lots going on.

Up with the larks again on Friday…the Girls are looking decidedly worse each morning, but don’t say that we said this - we think they are on the list for new livers. Cpl Arnhem was quite gobby this morning, obviously over his initial nerves.

We left on the bus again for the airfield, it was the US DZ today at Overasaselt, Cpl Arnhem was to jump with Ex 10 Para Stuart Roxborough - funny bloke had us all in fits. 2nd stick, No 8, and he managed to miss the power lines [thank God] he actually made it onto the DZ. He has a history of landing in other fields, and meeting cows and stuff like that!!

Sgt Hotspur jumped again with his old Mate Denis. Denis was pleased that he landed close to Julie who was armed with camera, it was a close thing with Stuart landing nearby as well, so great photos of both of us Bears!!!

Back at the campsite war was almost breaking out with the Dutch Pathfinders who were being awkward and spreading rumours about people not being able to jump at Ginkel Heath - it was all a bit much, and it made us late getting into Bloopers, the girls were getting withdrawal symptoms … huh.

Everything worked out and Me (Hotspur) was scheduled to jump with Ex 10 Para David Rashbrook, and Cpl Arnhem was going to jump with the lovely Dutch girl Floor!

Even the girls got up early on Saturday morning, Gill had been busy sorting out how they were going to get to the DZ. Jump Master Ian Marshall gave Gill his car keys and off we went taking Ian’s 12 yr old Son Callum with us. The atmosphere was electric at Ginkel, 1000’s of people, the girls went to try and get a good spot for the pics - they ended up being looked after by a lovely Dutch soldier on the Press Spot [what a perfect place] and we were right on target for our Pathfinder UK people. All seemed to be going well. Sgt Hotspur had a brilliant landing with David after a good exit from the plane, but suddenly we were faced with a very distraught Floor! The Horrid Dutch Jump Master had stolen Cpl Arnhem from Floor saying that she did not have enough jumps to be able to do a “Tandem”, but instead of asking someone else to take him - Cpl Arnhem went MIA!! Floor was very upset, Gill and Julie were very angry ... and an angry Gill is not a pretty sight.

Many phone calls later he was still missing, so we all had to go into Arnhem for the evening celebrations without him … this situation affecting Me (Sgt Hotspur), I went on the rampage, drinking Beer and Vodka, Smoking, dancing on the Tables in the Uni Bar ... of course the girls helped with the drinking. Earlier in the evening Gill had threatened to break the Dutch Jump Master's legs if Cpl Arnhem was not returned ASAP - amazingly he was returned by 8.30 the next morning, just ready for the Service at the Cemetery in Oosterbeek. Told you Gill was scary!!

After a very poignant Service, it was time to dismantle the Party Tent and head for home. The only regret was that Cpl Arnhem did not get to jump onto Ginkel Heath!! But Sgt Hotspur is a true professional, and now has 13 Jumps to his name!!