Operation Manna / Hunger winter

Hans Onderwater is the author of two books on this subject and of several other historical books.


Bombers flying in the vincity of Amsterdam.


Lancasters flying in the direction of Delft.


Air Commondore Adrew James Wrey Geddes
Geddes was responsible for the planning of these missions.


Dutch flags flying in The Haque.


A B17 flying over Haarlem.


Gathering the food in The Haque.


B17's flying low over Purmerend.

The Manna Monument at Terbregge

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

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."