The Deelen Dump in Holland

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ron Notenboom

I don't know where this post belongs, but thinking about it, I should mention that at the end of the war, my Grandfather worked in assets disposal.
He is one of the ones responsible for so much of the Canadian equipment and vehicles left behind in Holland.
Funny how life comes around full circle.

Ron,

I moved your message to this thread, as I understand your grandfather worked at the Deelen dump (or one of the other dumps).

Any stories you can share?

Thanks,

[Ron Notenboom]

Unfortunately not much to share.
I didn't find out about his wartime exploits until after he passed away.
I have to find the photo I have of him on a Norton motorcycle he was given to move around the yard.

[John Ferguson]

Great to find info on the Deelen Dump. My father served there from November 30th 1945 till May 25th 1946. His job was Security Sargent. We just returned from a trip to Holland and we did check out the Museum at Deelen. We were shown the large area that the Canadians used for the Vehicles, it is huge. If anyone has pictures of a White jeep at Deelen, that would be my fathers. He had one painted White so it would stand out in the Camp. On days off he would to travel to Baarn, about 40 kilometers away to visit his future wife, My mother who he meet when his Regiment ( British Columbia Regiment ) was stationed there in the fall of 45 before returning to Canada. I have some pictures of Deelen dump i hope to post in the future.

[welbike]

Nice John and Ron, and please some pictures!! especially of the Norton, I have several of those bikes.

30 years ago I spoke to a man who had worked there, but it was after the Dutch had taken over, many stories, about using Harley's for reinforcement on the roads, so the Sherman tanks did not bog down! also about the big hole they dug, to bury all the left over equipment, and a competition who could ride their Harley's furthest into the hole, just jumping off at the last moment!! and the electrified fence, and the stealing that went on and on.

Cheers,

Lex Schmidt

[Alex van de Wetering]

I remember seeing this picture in a booklet years ago....and have been trying to find out which booklet it was, ever since....

Anyway, my interest was the picture....and I finally found on the web..the picture is taken on an old section of the Deelen site, which is now part of "National parc the Hoge Veluwe" and shows some rusty metal. Unfortuntaley, the picture is rather small....but the reason it caught my eye is that it looks a lot like the inside of a cab13 front clip/footwell...what do you guys think???

Alex

picture source: http://www.dickveerman.nl/2011/01/page/3/

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Small documentary in Dutch, has some nice footage and an F15A driving around the site:

https://youtu.be/5iTt-dfD7M0

Jordan, take a close look at the Otters!

[Jordan Baker]

Yes I’ve seen the Canadian Army News Reel film footage before. Some great shots. Wish there was more.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Wish there was more.

Surprisingly few photos can be found in online photo archives. But here are some more to tide you over.

6905731150_847dbcc5a6_o.jpg
Source: Nationaal Archief (found on Flickr)

6329160720_138183f3cc_b.jpg
Source

6955255781_e3bf78bda8_b.jpg

NL-HaNA_2.24.01.03_0_901-9025.jpg
Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/a8a1aa...8-003048976d84