April 1945, Garderen, Holland solved!
 

For a long time I have some pictures in my possession I did not know where they were taken.
These are pictures from the period from 18 or 19 April 1945 and made during the liberation of the Veluwe by Canadians. The back of the photos shows: “Somewhere on the Veluwe”.
Investigation shows that the photos were taken on the estate "De Wittenberg" at Garderen on the Veluwe. About 18 km from Apeldoorn. The house which in the picture is very exclusive of construction and still exists in its original form. The house was built in 1937 on behalf of a director of the Heineken brewery! The unusual shape of the house has a decisive influence on the investigation.

The soldiers on the pictures of the "Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment" which a few names are known. This regiment was on April 17 left from palace "Het Loo" in Apeldoorn. After heavy fighting in Nieuw Milligen headquarters was located at Garderen. The commander was Lt. Col. G. Renison. During this period, the photos taken!
Some names on the photos are:

1st pic. “De Wittenberg” in december 2014
2nd pic. “De Wittenberg” in april 1945 with Hapy’s
3rd pic. Lt. Col. G. Renison
4th pic. Maj. A. Ross, Lt. Col. G. Renison and Lt. D. Knapp (photo taken S.J. Woods)

Cheers, Wout

April, Garderen, Holland solved
 

A few more photos of "De Wittenberg" near Garderen.

1st pic. Sld WC Skadratu and AA Annala (photo taken SJ Woods)
2nd pic. Lt. JK Heath (6 anti/Tk), Lt Col Renison and war correspondent Maj Bert Kemp (photo taken SJ Woods)
3rd and 4th pic taken aside "De Wittenberg".

Greetings, Wout

Very nice late war pictures my friend.

Very nice.

Details on the vehicules and storage boxes and antennae.

One guy is about to transmit with the mike in his hands and the other guy has both hands on the aerial...

Nice house also.

Keep posting.

Steering wheel on left Jeep is a little odd.

No idea what that is Maurice. I see the right one is carrying a 1 piece spare wheel. (or at least it looks that way)
What sort of armoured car is F210158?

That looks like an Otter

Turretless Otter to be precise - see thread elsewhere on this forum.

Excellent find Wout! :thup2:

De Wittenberg
 

In May 2015, we partnered with a few Canadian veterans visited “De Wittenberg”.
We where all very warmly received by the current owners.
We quite enjoyed on the terrace of a delicious lunch.
That was the exact spot where the Happy's standing on 19 april 1945!


After visiting "The Wittenberg" we have visited the crash site on the Schaarweg in Elspeet. Elspeet is not far from Apeldoorn.
All in all it was a very worthwhile trip
See pictures in next post.

Visit Crash site Schaarweg
 

After visiting "The Wittenberg" we have visited the crash site on the Schaarweg in Elspeet. Elspeet is not far from Apeldoorn.
All in all it was a very worthwhile trip.

Then and now as pictured back in 2010!

Can anyone shed any light on the origin of the crow bar on the back of the above Otter?
What vehicles were they first issued with?
The item shown is very similar to the Sherman one, but I believe The early British (pre Universal) carriers were issued with a shorter version, that had a splayed end.
Any info?

Sorry about the hijack, but this is where the crow bar is.
It is great to see that she has survived and appears well loved.

The surviving Otter was restored as F.210158, but it is not the same vehicle. F.210158 was replicated as the surviving Otter was missing it's turret, and research carried out through MLU proved there were turretless Otters in Canadian use.

This fact has lead to at least two (this one and one in the UK) being restored as turretless Otters, which otherwise had languished as unrestored wrecks as no turrets were available.

De Wittenberg
 

It would be wonderful to make PHOTOS THEN AND NOW in the same place with the same layout as in April 1945. Of course with the same type of vehicles!

I agree! I can bring my 15-cwt and ask the owner of the turretless Otter? The jeeps and 10-cwt trailer will be no problem.

Hanno, Wout,

Don't forget the motocycle ! A BSA, Norton?

A turretless Otter is neet.

Then and now
 

Hanno, I'm going to try to organize the meeting with the residents of "The Wittenberg."
You will hear from me.

Wout