Five Brothers and a War

May 10, 1940

The Ockenburgh Air Force Base, a name which totally overstates the real situation, was a recent addition to the Dutch mobilization efforts, having only recently been converted from a series of football pitches. It was intended only to serve in an auxiliary capacity, and had few support facilities. After the war, it was reconverted back to football pitches, as can be seen in the image above. On the near end, it was only 1 ¼ km (3/4 mile) from Margrietstraat 20, and only about 500m from the dunes of the North Sea. Takeoffs and/or landings would bring the action even closer to the van Pelt home.

the war

Above, Ockenburgh in relationship with the van Pelt home. Below, the old football pitches are still visible after the transformation to the air base.

Five Brothers and a War

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