Five Brothers and a War

Homecoming

Leen was the first to leave the farm in Ottoland and come out of hiding to head home— either immediately before or immediately after German capitulation. Apparently, he wanted to be reunited with his girlfriend, Rita Bender.

The last of the RAF/RCAF Operation Manna and USAAF Operation Chowhound flights took place on May 8, three days after German capitulation, and just as the ground transportation phase was swinging into full gear. During the last days of the flights, Leen, who had just come home after five months in hiding on the dairy farm in Ottoland, and Bertus climbed out of their top floor windows and onto the roof to watch the bombers deliver food. The flights were so low that they routinely saw the faces of the pilots and tailgunners. On at least one occasion, the flight was just above tree top level as it disappeared from view behind the houses on the Speenkruidstraat, where Immie Tadema and her brother were also on the rooftop watching the action—from an even closer vantage point.

van Pelt

Five Brothers and a War

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