Liberty Tour 2016, The Netherlands

[Hanno Spoelstra]

5 May is Liberation Day in the Netherlands. Initially a celebration of being freed from the oppressor, today it is much more a celebration of peace in the broadest sense of the word which is expressed in multiple ways.

I took part in the Liberty Tour which followed the route of the Princess Irene Brigade in May 1945 to liberate the Western part of The Netherlands - see http://www.route-irenebrigade.nl/wp/...-liberty-tour/ for more info.

At centre stage were the runners who brought the Liberation Flame from Wageningen to The Hague. They were escorted by a column of 50-odd HMV's. Mostly jeeps, beeps & jimmies, but also me in my F15A, another F15A, two Scout Cars, one Halftrack, a GPA and a Kübelwagen.

Pics to follow later!

[maple_leaf_eh]

The senior member of my Legion Branch is overseas now at the celebrations. Cpl Stanley Fields landed on DDay ahead of the assault troops to clear obstacles and served throughout the war, missing only 10 days resting a bad back. He is one of a kind.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Pics to follow later!

Hanno, I hope you don't mind me adding some pictures of last Thursday.

Mostly jeeps, beeps & jimmies

Indeed, the number of CMP's and Commonwealth vehicles was limited (and the presence of 101AB vehicles seems ever increasing), but excellent weather and great atmosphere made up for that!

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

couple more

[Alex van de Wetering]

There was another tour the same day, east of Amsterdam. Again, weather and atmosphere was excellent. Two CMP's (C15A and F60S LAAT), a Dingo, a lovely Norton Big4 and some interesting US vehicles.

Alex

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some pictures of my F15A during this event:

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