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| June
2005 |
VE
Day 50th Anniversary Celebrations
The Netherlands |
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History
The Dutch didn't participate in either of the World Wars in the twentieth
century. In the First they were neutral, and in the Second
they capitulated after five days. However they were occupied (left)
for nearly six years, an unfamiliar sensation for Americans and Britains.
It could have been five, but cruelly freedom was snatched from them in
1944 after the heroic failure of the battle of Arnhem. Another
seven long, hard winter months were to pass before The Nethlerlands was
liberated in April 1945, a story not often recounted.
50th Celebration
As in the rest of Europe, The Netherlands celebrated 50 years of
liberation (and since VE day) in May 1995. Friday 5th May was
bevrijdingsdag itself (pronounced "bee-fry-dings-dach") with
open air concerts by pop bands in Amsterdam. This was followed
by an air display at Camp Zeist on the Saturday, and a parade of veterans
in Apeldoorn on Sunday. The weekend was exceptionally hot
which added to the special atmosphere. |
| A flower seller in
Gouda with a German officer observing in the background. |
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| Friday: Amsterdam |
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Let's party
Amsterdam celebrated in the only way they know how - by partying in the
street (above left). Stages for bands were already in
place from Queen's Day (national holiday on 1st May), and with balmy
weather there was no excuse for not joining in. In the more
refined suburbs the Dutch restricted themselves to flying flags (above
right).
Music of a different beat
In the grounds of Het Loo palace (former royal residency) near Arnhem,
military bands performed on Friday evening including this pipe band (left). |
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| Saturday: Camp
Zeist |
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Air Display
On Saturday enormous crowds descended on the Camp Zeist air force base
near Utrecht (above). In the baking heat they saw a
well organised display of individual planes (below left) and
formation flying (right). One of the highlights of the show
was undoubtedly a brief fly past of an F16 (below right).
Like clockwork
The whole event was run with typical Dutch precision including the park
and ride buses to the site provided by Midnet (right top and bottom). |
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| Sunday: Apeldoorn |
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Parade
The main parade of veterans was held in Apeldoorn on a hot Sunday
afternoon. More than 300,000 visitors were transported to the
centre of the town by a fleet of artics (above).
Liberation
The Netherlands was liberated by Canadian forces (right, below left),
with tanks rolling into Apeldoorn on 17th April 1945. There
were scenes of great emotion as residents were re-united with their
liberators 50 years later (below right). |
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| All photos taken in May
1995. Click to enlarge. |
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