Glider pilots at Arnhem - Part 1

On Tuesday November 10, 2020 we will organize a presentation at 8:00 PM about the role of Glider Pilots during the Second World War. This digital presentation will be provided by the expert and guide Luuk Buist.
Luuk Buist is a specialist in the field of Glider Pilots and co-author of the book Glider Pilots at Arnhem. Luuk will explain the role of Glider Pilots based on a perfect presentation in terms of layout and content. This presentation deals with the founding and organization of the regiment. How and where gliders were built and how they were loaded. Glider Pilots were trained according to the Total Soldier concept, so that the pilots could participate in the operation after landing. The presentation will provide an animation of the course of the Battle of Arnhem.
The memory of the Second World War in general and that of the Battle of Arnhem in particular should not be forgotten. Luuk Buist was born and raised in Oosterbeek and started my career in the Dutch Army where he served for nine years as an NCO in the Signals Corps. He has been interested in battlefields since he was a young boy. When his father gave him an airborne helmet, the spark was there. Both his parents lived in Oosterbeek during the Battle of Arnhem and his grandfather was one of the civilian casualties.
He started to read books on the subject and started to collect memorabilia. His first book was Arnhem Lift by Louis Hagen, whom he met many years later in 1994. As co-author he was involved in two books on the Battle of Arnhem and have contributed to more than 35 publications. For over 30 years, he have organized tours for groups in various compositions. He was awarded the AAC Association Bronze Medal and made an honorary member in recognition of his role educating today’s AAC soldiers about the battle of Arnhem. He is specialised in customised battlefield tours of the Battle of Arnhem. In addition to the strategic part of the battle, many personal stories are told.

[lanesaarloos]

We lost a WW 2 glider pilot 2 yrs ago he was 101. Heard his stories of the war many times at morning coffee shop. With an extra cup stories were more detailed. After successful one and only mission, he helped train flight navigators in DC-3s after a plane carrying replacement navigators crashed.

[simonmassey]

Thank you for your fascinating video. A lot of effort and hard work has gone into its production. I had the pleasure of visiting the Netherlands and the Operation Market Garden area a few years ago and was impressed by the amazing museums, battle sites and the friendly locals.
Hope you get out taking tourists soon and keeping the memories of the combatants and the Dutch people alive.
Once again many thanks for your informative and educational videos.

[bobert_kiwi]

My great great grandfather was actually a glider pilot and I still have his 1st print copy of the book. Hes very lucky to have survived and we still have all his equipments and medals hanging up on my nans wall.
The book was a copy of 'A Bridge to Far'

[rossmac]

Absolutely fantastic video. Informative and fascinating... So much detail..incredibly well researched...I have just returned from Oosterbeek after a day walking around parts of the perimeter and am wondering why on earth didn't they drop 1, 2 and 3 para in the area between the Driel Ferry and the Railway bridge on the south bank as a coup de main.. The rest of 1st Brigade could have used the LZ 'Z' and linked up soon after maybe shepparded by 1 Border. If they had dropped at first light they could have made the second drop/landing of 4 para brigade at around 1 or 2pm the same afternoon and had a more concentrated force on hand earlier in the battle. Thanks again for this excellent video.

[jasonthompson]

This was a brilliant presentation. My Grandad Sgt BS Osborne was a Glider Pilot and I know he was definitely at Oosterbeek and was at D-Day for the Normandy landings. I would love to get in contact with you to so if you could get any more information on him? Thanks

[peterwalker]

I only found out about the two lectures today (March 2022). Both were extremely interesting. The active maps were brilliant!