The efforts of Canadian Bomber Pilots to help feed the starving population of the Netherlands during the Second World War were recognized during a Thursday morning tour of the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta.
The private tour was conducted for a small group of Dutch delegates including a General from the Dutch army, a first for the southern Alberta museum. Brigadier General Antoine Beukering was visibly moved while viewing the photographs, film footage and log books which comprise the museum’s Operation Manna display.
“I remember as a little boy my parents told the story about Operation Manna,” said Beukering. “I’m originally from the south of the Netherlands so my family was liberated by Canadians.”
“They were so happy and delighted that these bombers came and there were no bombs coming out but it was food,”
On April 29, 1945, Lancaster bombers dropped tons of food into occupied Holland as part of Operation Manna. Local pilot Joe English played an active role in both the Second World War operation and the creation of the Bomber Command Museum of Canada. While English passed away five years ago, his original log book and medals continue to tell his story to museum visitors.
“In that Lancaster pictured in that commissioned painting that we had done that depicts our local Lancaster pilot Joe English is leading a squadron of Lancasters over the flooded fields of Holland,” explains museum volunteer Dan Fox.
“This museum means a lot to everybody,” explains Honorary Consul Irene Bakker of the Dutch Consulate Calgary. “I knew Joe English personally. I gave him a medal about 10 years ago.”
Beukering says the contributions of Canadians in the Second World War will not be forgotten by the Dutch.
“For us as Dutch, and in my job nowadays, it’s very important to show your gratitude,” said Beukering. “Dutch people are so grateful to the Canadian people and the sacrifices they have made for us to liberate us.
The Dutch General had high praise for the museum stating the site exceeded his expectations thanks in part to the contributions of its volunteers.
“It’s really impressive what all of these volunteers, what they have done,” said Beukering. “They’ve done a great job and, for me, it’s always good to see when people are so motivated.”
“They’re so friendly and they take their time, they opened the museum especially for us, for my small delegation, to present it to us. You see their motivation and their enthusiasm. It’s a great feeling.”
Karl Kjarsgaard of the Bomber Command Museum of Canada says Beukering’s visit was a reminder of the museum’s importance.
“It certainly is a pat on the back for us,” said Kharsgaard. “Our efforts to memorialize the Canadians in bombers is not forgotten.”
