The story
De Kleine Elft (‘The Little Shad’) was once a hotel at the crossroads in Reek, where the Allies arrived from Zeeland and turned off towards Grave. On Tuesday September 19, everyone from the neighbourhood gathered there to see the liberators. An endless column of military vehicles, tanks and troops streamed past. The liberators passed out chocolate, white bread and cigarettes.
When the advance halted, quarters were set up all over Reek. The troops rested, were taken care of and reassembled. Also, at the end of September, troops who had landed at Keent airfield were stationed in the village. As a result, for a while, the village took on the appearance of a military base, where the troops waited for the final thrust to the north. This would only eventually take place 6 months later. nbsp;
When the advance halted, quarters were set up all over Reek. The troops rested, were taken care of and reassembled. Also, at the end of September, troops who had landed at Keent airfield were stationed in the village. As a result, for a while, the village took on the appearance of a military base, where the troops waited for the final thrust to the north. This would only eventually take place 6 months later. nbsp;
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.