Thieves broke into the mock airfield De Kiek in Riel and stole two unique bombs, gas cylinders and helmets, among other things. They also smashed up the complete interior of the bunker. “We are furious and don’t get it.”
De Kiek mock airfield ‘SF37 Kamerun’ is a place where events from the Second World War can be relived. It is the last remaining dummy airfield in the Netherlands and is maintained by volunteers. The area includes a bunker that people can visit.
Thieves broke into there on Tuesday with a grinder and took all kinds of stuff and destroyed it. For example, they stole two concrete German training bombs of 250 kilos each. Furthermore, the mock airfield lacks special Czech helmets, gas bottles and other items that come from a crashed bomber. A box with books and items for tours has also been taken. “As a souvenir we received a number of cans of Bacardi cola.”
The organization says it does not understand that the historical items have been stolen. “Such a special place, items that have little financial value, but help to tell the story on the spot so well. We are shocked that people deliberately came here for this action,” said mock airfield De Kiek.
“We’re going through it right now.”
Employees have reported. The police have advised to hang cameras. “But yes, we have no budget for that and no knowledge of it.”
The organization says it does not expect to see its belongings again and will think about ways to prevent theft in the future. “Of course we will continue our work full of energy and positivity, so as not to forget about the mock airfield with the accompanying stories. Although we are now through it for a while.”
“No sense of the historical significance.”
Mark van Stappershoef, the mayor of Goirle, speaks of a worthless action. “I think that people without any sense of history break open the case and make a mess, I think it’s a cowardly thing to do. This really goes beyond the volunteers, who work on it with great passion. They are mainly types who have no awareness of the simple norm that you stay away from other people’s things!”
The mayor asks people to keep their eyes and ears open for the perpetrators. “Let’s all try to track down these destructive and robbery people. I hope we can catch them.”