BaseLine
09-18-2004, 12:34 PM
Arnhem Anniversary - 80-Year-Old Veterans Repeat Parachute Jump
By Louise Barnett and Matt Adams, PA News, at Arnhem in The Netherlands
British veterans of the epic Battle for Arnhem staged a memorial parachute jump over Holland to mark the 60th anniversary of the bloody conflict today.
Ten pensioners, aged between 79 and 85, landed safely to a rapturous welcome from thousands of spectators who gathered on the exact spot where 2,000 troops were air-dropped in September, 1944.
The men, elderly but still full of spirit, were dropped from two Second World War aircraft over Ginkel Heath, near Arnhem.
Today three of the veterans jumped solo while the other seven, including one blinded in the battle that followed, dropped in tandem with experts.
After landing safely on the heath Harry Herbert, 80, from Gillingham, Kent, a glider pilot with the 10th Battalion during the battle said: “This is a doddle compared to 60 years ago.
“This grass was alight 60 years ago and we had a lot of people trying to shoot us down.”
Ray Sheriff, 84, was blinded by a German mortar bomb just seven hours after parachuting into Ginkel Heath on September 17, 1944.
Speaking moments after his tandem jump today Mr Sheriff, from Rottingdean near Brighton said: “It was an amazing experience.
“We had to come out of the plane very quickly and we did not have time for any drill. It was a bit of a scramble but it was very good.
“I am always slightly anxious – in truth everybody is who makes a parachute jump, but I was very happy to do it.”
Mr Sheriff has tried to suppress his memories of the war but today he said: “When I wake up in the morning I open my eyes and although I can see nothing I can remember everything.
“Today is a happy day because there are so many people here, though so many of us didn’t make it and they can never be forgotten.
“They would for sure be jumping here today if they were still alive.”
Today’s drop comes exactly 60 years after British airborne troops of the 4th Parachute Brigade dropped on to Ginkel Heath, known as Drop Zone Yankee.
Their aim was to push towards Arnhem to reinforce British troops who had taken the town’s bridge, one of several strategic bridges seized in Operation Market Garden.
But fierce German resistance left at least 200 dead, missing or wounded at Ginkel Heath before the advance to Arnhem began.
Among those who survived was Tom Smithson who today jumped solo. The 80-year-old, from Sutton Coldfield, said after landing: “It was windy and I landed right on a big tree. I have grazes and scratches but I am not seriously hurt.
“It was very windy and I couldn’t get back on to the dropping zone but it is wonderful down here.”
Mr Smithson was a corporal with the 1st Division HQ Defence Platoon at the time of the Battle of Arnhem. He said: “You never get rid of the memories. You think of nothing else.”
Les Lockett, 83, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, and Bernard Murphy, 83 from St Helens in Lancashire were the other two veterans who jumped solo today.
Mr Lockett, who served as a company clerk with the 156 Battalion South Staff Regiment, was shot and wounded as he parachuted into Arnhem on September 18, 1944.
He said after landing today: “Today’s jump went very well. It was pretty windy up there but we got down okay.
“This is enjoyment for me now. I have made several jumps in the last few years. I try not to recall the actual day but clearly there are sad memories.”
Arthur Winstanley, 82, from Wallasey, Merseyside, was a signaller with the Royal Signals when he was air dropped on Ginkel Heath 60 years ago.
After floating down in a tandem jump today, he said: “We had a very, very good landing. The wind strength was just right.
“In 1944 I dropped more or less to here. The drop then was very chaotic. There were bullets and mortars flying about.”
Tom Hicks, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, said of his tandem jump: “The thrill is that all our friends are here watching us. They are so welcoming when we come down. It makes it worthwhile.”
Formerly of the 1st Squadron of the 1st Para Royal Engineers, Mr Hicks said: “I am only 85 so I’ve got a long time to go yet.”
After the drop the veterans gathered for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on the Heath in memory of their fallen colleagues.
It was attended by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and Chief of Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson who said afterwards: “It is 60 years since this extraordinary battle was fought. These few elderly gentlemen are so brave even today, participating.”
Link (http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3515398).
By Louise Barnett and Matt Adams, PA News, at Arnhem in The Netherlands
British veterans of the epic Battle for Arnhem staged a memorial parachute jump over Holland to mark the 60th anniversary of the bloody conflict today.
Ten pensioners, aged between 79 and 85, landed safely to a rapturous welcome from thousands of spectators who gathered on the exact spot where 2,000 troops were air-dropped in September, 1944.
The men, elderly but still full of spirit, were dropped from two Second World War aircraft over Ginkel Heath, near Arnhem.
Today three of the veterans jumped solo while the other seven, including one blinded in the battle that followed, dropped in tandem with experts.
After landing safely on the heath Harry Herbert, 80, from Gillingham, Kent, a glider pilot with the 10th Battalion during the battle said: “This is a doddle compared to 60 years ago.
“This grass was alight 60 years ago and we had a lot of people trying to shoot us down.”
Ray Sheriff, 84, was blinded by a German mortar bomb just seven hours after parachuting into Ginkel Heath on September 17, 1944.
Speaking moments after his tandem jump today Mr Sheriff, from Rottingdean near Brighton said: “It was an amazing experience.
“We had to come out of the plane very quickly and we did not have time for any drill. It was a bit of a scramble but it was very good.
“I am always slightly anxious – in truth everybody is who makes a parachute jump, but I was very happy to do it.”
Mr Sheriff has tried to suppress his memories of the war but today he said: “When I wake up in the morning I open my eyes and although I can see nothing I can remember everything.
“Today is a happy day because there are so many people here, though so many of us didn’t make it and they can never be forgotten.
“They would for sure be jumping here today if they were still alive.”
Today’s drop comes exactly 60 years after British airborne troops of the 4th Parachute Brigade dropped on to Ginkel Heath, known as Drop Zone Yankee.
Their aim was to push towards Arnhem to reinforce British troops who had taken the town’s bridge, one of several strategic bridges seized in Operation Market Garden.
But fierce German resistance left at least 200 dead, missing or wounded at Ginkel Heath before the advance to Arnhem began.
Among those who survived was Tom Smithson who today jumped solo. The 80-year-old, from Sutton Coldfield, said after landing: “It was windy and I landed right on a big tree. I have grazes and scratches but I am not seriously hurt.
“It was very windy and I couldn’t get back on to the dropping zone but it is wonderful down here.”
Mr Smithson was a corporal with the 1st Division HQ Defence Platoon at the time of the Battle of Arnhem. He said: “You never get rid of the memories. You think of nothing else.”
Les Lockett, 83, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, and Bernard Murphy, 83 from St Helens in Lancashire were the other two veterans who jumped solo today.
Mr Lockett, who served as a company clerk with the 156 Battalion South Staff Regiment, was shot and wounded as he parachuted into Arnhem on September 18, 1944.
He said after landing today: “Today’s jump went very well. It was pretty windy up there but we got down okay.
“This is enjoyment for me now. I have made several jumps in the last few years. I try not to recall the actual day but clearly there are sad memories.”
Arthur Winstanley, 82, from Wallasey, Merseyside, was a signaller with the Royal Signals when he was air dropped on Ginkel Heath 60 years ago.
After floating down in a tandem jump today, he said: “We had a very, very good landing. The wind strength was just right.
“In 1944 I dropped more or less to here. The drop then was very chaotic. There were bullets and mortars flying about.”
Tom Hicks, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, said of his tandem jump: “The thrill is that all our friends are here watching us. They are so welcoming when we come down. It makes it worthwhile.”
Formerly of the 1st Squadron of the 1st Para Royal Engineers, Mr Hicks said: “I am only 85 so I’ve got a long time to go yet.”
After the drop the veterans gathered for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on the Heath in memory of their fallen colleagues.
It was attended by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and Chief of Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson who said afterwards: “It is 60 years since this extraordinary battle was fought. These few elderly gentlemen are so brave even today, participating.”
Link (http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3515398).