The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee informs De Telegraaf about this. The veterans, all around 100 years old, would initially come to our country next month for the festivities surrounding Operation Market Garden, the allied offensive against the Germans in September 1944. The former soldiers from the United States served with the 8th Airborne division, which at the end of the Second World War tried to cross the bridge over the Waal near Nijmegen and fought fiercely with the Germans there.
Due to the problems at Schiphol, the organization, the American Best Defense Foundation, decided not to allow the frail older men to travel. “We can’t blame them for having to wait long,” a spokeswoman said. There was uncertainty about a request to arrange special escort, so that the veterans do not have to stand in line for hours. In the end, the foundation decided to cancel the visit permanently.
‘Prevent recurrence’
The group can now, if it is up to the Marechaussee, still come in December. “Together with Schiphol, we have contacted the organizer, explained the situation and made agreements for the future to prevent a recurrence,” a spokesperson said. “The next opportunity is in December if the veterans want to go to the commemoration of the Ardennes offensive. The Marechaussee and Schiphol have offered every assistance to help with this. That also applies to other future commemorations.”
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major offensive of the German Wehrmacht on the Western Front in World War II, from December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945. The Germans were defeated by the Allies.
Consultation behind the scenes
The fact that the veterans cannot come next month is still causing turmoil in our country. Behind the scenes there is therefore plenty of consultation to see if a solution can be found. The Marechaussee finds the situation regrettable, emphasizes the spokesman. “We were previously not aware of their request because it was requested in a different way than usual. Normally an official request is submitted to us. We arrange everything and Schiphol facilitates where necessary. Due to miscommunication, that did not happen this time, and the Marechaussee and Schiphol deeply regret that. As a military organization, we understand better than anyone that veterans deserve recognition and respect.”
The Battle of the Bulge took place in Belgium, but the veterans could land at Schiphol because of the airport’s important hub function, and then be taken to Belgium by special transport. Another option is to have the group come to the Netherlands at the beginning of May, when the national commemoration takes place in the Netherlands.
Marco Cillessen of the Groesbeek Airborne Friends foundation, closely involved in the Market Garden festivities, hopes that it will not be too late for the foreign guests. “It’s still a shame they won’t come. Every year it is a special moment, a fantastic gathering. It would be great if it works, but May is quite far away. I can remember that no fewer than 75 American veterans came to the Netherlands in 1969, a quarter of a century after the end of the war. Now there would be only twelve. How many will be alive next year?”
government gear
Shortly after the news about the cancellation became known, Member of Parliament Peter Valstar of the VVD already suggested the option of arranging the transport of the twelve himself. “Come on, fly the Defense Gulfstream twice,” he said on social media, referring to the ministry’s passenger plane that carries high-ranking people. He also saw the government aircraft PH-GOV as a possibility. “Then we’ll be there. It’s not as if this group of special veterans has the luxury of delaying another year.”
This would also reduce the risk of corona infection. In addition to the chaos at our national airport, the foundation also does not want to run the risk that the twelve American ex-servicemen are hit by Covid in a full plane. “We think their health is much more important,” the spokeswoman said earlier. The foundation could not be reached for further comment on Friday. Incidentally, in principle it concerns a group of 32 people, because in addition to the veterans themselves, supervisors are also needed.