Dakota's at Deelen-EHDL filming Bridge Too Far 1976

[GerritsFinest]

This year we will commemorate that the Battle of Arnhem took place 75 years ago…

From July till late September 1976 EHDL-Deelen airbase has been very active in connection with the shooting of the film “A Bridge too Far”. This film, which was made by the American John Levine film production company and directed by the Englishman Sir Richard Attenborough. The situation will revive as it took place on September 17 1944 at a number of allied bases, from where hundreds of aircraft with thousands of soldiers took off on board to participate in the risky Operation Market Garden near Arnhem, which finally ended in a bloody debacle that would delay the end of the war very much…

[GerritsFinest]

During the shooting sessions the base and wide surroundings were closed for spectators, so coming on base was only possible in the preparation phase of this event! Nevertheless I was able to shoot quite some very very rare pictures!!

It all started on July 16th with the arrival of two C-47’s of the Portuguese Air Force with US civil registrations: N9983Q, ex 44-77200 PortAF 6171 and N9984Q of PortAF 6153.

These two came from Soesterberg where they had landed the evening before. On July 23rd N9984Q was already re-painted in RAF colours as KG-736/YS and N9983Q as KK-149.

A third C-47 was N9986Q ex F-OCKY cn 25810/14365, ex 43-48549 and KJ-871 of the Air Djibouti company. In the beginning azll three had this US-civil registration painted in yellow on the tail as well as the code-letter “L” and behind the cockpit D8, D7, and D6 (N9983Q, 84Q and 86Q resp.)
A fourth C-47 was seen August 13 of Air Djibouti F-OCKX cn 27215/15770 ex 43-49954, KN-279 and VR-AAI becoming N9985Q later.

Also present that day was Auster RT607 (ex PH-NGK) in RAF colours and also a blue/white one civil Auster G-AJDW

August 31 the Finnish Air Force sent 4 C-47’s to Deelen via Hamburg DO-4, Do-7, DO-10 and DO-12) using their call signs FinAF 354, 357, 360 and 362 resp, they were all repainted in WW-2 livery with invasion stripes but still with national roundel and registrations!
The same day Danish Air Force sent 3 C-47’s K-685, K-687 and K-688 to participate in the film, in the same outfit, they made a stop at Eelde. Next day the K-685 and K-688 had already US markings!

Summary:

N9983Q History: C-47B cn 16784/33532; USAAF44-77200; PortAF6171, after Bridge Too Far sold SE-GUL; ET-AHR
filmreg RAF KM-149/YS; USAAF N9983Q + L-D8 and later E-D8, left Deelen October 21 for Malmo

N9984Q History: C-53D cn 11675 USAAF 42-68748; TAP CS-TDE; PortAF 6153
filmreg RAF KG-736/YS; USAAF N9984Q + L-D7 and later U-D8, left Deelen November 2 for EGTE-Exeter

N9985Q History: cn 27215/15770 USAAF 43-49954; RAF KN-279; Transair G-ANAD; Skyways of London G-ANAD; Aden Airways VR-AAI; Air Djibouti F-OCKX
filmreg RAF KG-411/CS; USAAF N9985Q + L-D9 and later only L, left Deelen October 21 for EHGR-Gilze Rijen, Oct 22 departure to EGHH-Bournemouth.

N9986Q History: cn 25810/14365 USAAF 43-48549; RAF KJ-871; BOAC G-AGKH; Aden Airways VR-AAC; BOAC G-AGKH; Iraqi Airways YI-GKH; Air Jordan TJ-ABQ; Aden Airways VR-AAC; Air Djibouti F-OCKY
filmreg RAF ?????/CS; USAAF N9986Q + L-D6 and later T-D3, left Deelen October 22 for EGHH-Bournemouth

K-685 filmreg USAAF 337185 + I(India)-C6; later RAF KG-912, left Deelen September 21 for Vaerlose

K-687 filmreg USAAF 823561 + I-C3; later P-C3, left Deelen September 21 for Vaerlose

K-688 filmreg USAAF 315317 + I-C8; later I-C3, left Deelen September 21for Vaerlose

DO-4 filmreg USAAF 700318 + I-D1; later USAAF 70038 + L and later J-D8, left Deelen September 22

DO-7 filmreg USAAF 711212 + I-D3; later F-D8, left Deelen September 22

DO-12 filmreg USAAF 314013 + I-C7; later without code, left Deelen September 22

Horsa Gliders Ten mock-ups of these enormous gliders were built in two empty factory buildings in the city of Deventer. On September 23 five remaining were seen: RJ-139, RJ-179, RJ-279, RJ-300 and JL-482. Finally broken up and remains were seen at EHTE-Teuge airfield later…

Additions are very welcome of course, especially on the US-registered aircraft!

[GerritsFinest]

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[panadero]

Nice report!!

[Rene Klok]

Wow, some unique pics Gerrit!
I remember going to the cinema together with my dad to watch it. It was an expensive movie with an entrance price of about 13 Guilders (€ 6,-).

[bvdboomen]

A truly unique report Gerrit.
What a privilege must it have been to be on base at that time.

[Stephan Lodewijks]

Oh wow, l this is one of the most interesting historical reports I've seen in a long time, thanks!!

Steef

[janneman36]

Great pictures, thank you for sharing these.

Cheers, Jan

[PH-HEE]

Great Pictures and report. Never new that Finnish and Danish Air Force Dakota's where used for this movie.

Peter