Operation manna: 635th Pathfinder Squadron RAF

Dropping food for the Dutch - 29 April 1945

The photos below were photographed by the Senior Photographic Officer of the Pathfinder Force, 8 Group, Bomber Command.

Photo credit: Squadron Leader Howard .W. Lees

Click on the photos below to enlarge

  • 635th Pathfinder Squadron

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The Manna Monument at Terbregge

Place of commemoration

At the exact spot of one of the dropzones overlooking the freeway at Terbregge is the Manna monument located. It symbolizes the belly of an allied bomber filled with food parcels. The monument has been the central location of the Manna / Chowhound commemorations since its unveilling in 2006. One year later the Air Commodore Geddes footpath was opened next to the memorial.

Diary of Norman Coats

Belly turret gunner, 390th Bomb Group

May 3 - "Another mercy mission to Holland. We went deeper into Holland today. Very low altitude. I believe I must have waved at everyone in Holland. It is really a shame the ocean being turned into Holland. The great fields of tulips are beautiful. They had, "Thank You" spelled out with rocks. They could see me waving at them because they would point each others attention to it. Some of them had American flags waving them."