A very long day, longer than I had anticipated. It wasn't as warm as yesterday, which was a bonus and somewhat cloudy, so perfect biking weather really.
We visited about 11 memorials today. They are but a small number of the total across Holland and Belgium. Apart from being all Lancasters, my favourite, the theme, albeit a small one, was 617 Sqn, The Dambusters. We visited the memorial for Dambuster AJ-Z, piloted by Henry Maudslay, killed returning from the attack on the Eder Dam, 17 May
1943.
Another 617 Sqn connection, was closer to home for me, as we
visited the grave of my MAPS Chaps colleague Gerry. Harold Wilson, never it
made it on the Dams raid and was killed on 16th September 1943, undertaking the
Dortmund-Ems Canal raid.
The 3rd and last 617 Sqn connection, was the memorial to Les
Knight who died on the same raid as Gerry's father. Unlike Harold Wilson,
Knight had taken part in the Dams raid, but like many, his luck ran out, just 6
months later.
Our route took us through the city of Nijmegen, in over one
bridge, out over another. Neither unfortunately, THE Bridge at Nijmegen.
We arrived at the hotel, our home for the next 3 nights, at
19:45. There was just time for a quick freshen up before finding a restaurant,
There are quite a few, so we shall move about, whilst we are here.
Beer count is up to 7.
Tomorrow we are heading to Assen for our first of 2 days at
the MotoGP event.
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| Dambuster AJ-Z, Crash Site Memorial |
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| Last Resting place of Harold Wilson, 617 Sqn |
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| Les Knight's Lancaster Crash Site Memorial |
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