Dropzone Rummy III

DZ Rummy III or the 36 bunder

dropzone rummy3During the war, a lot of ammunition was dropped on the Noorderheide near Elspeet at Dropzone Rummy III, also known as ‘the thirty-six acres’. Dropzone Rummy III was the largest dropping area during the Second World War. A total of 30,000–40,000 kg of weapons, sabotage material and more were dropped here. The Noorderheide is an estate owned by the Van Beuningen family, located between Elspeet and Vierhouten. There was a piece of clear-cutting on this estate; this was the dropping area. A small detail, but nice to know, is that penicillin was dropped with one of these flights for doctor Willem Wolfensperger; the camp doctor of the Pas Op camp in Vierhouten. It was the first penicillin in the Netherlands. The period during which it was dropped was between 11 September and 3 October 1944.

Resistance group Apeldoorn & Van Beuningen

A resistance group from Apeldoorn played an important role in the airdrops that were carried out. The men of this resistance group intercepted the codes, sent out light signals ahead of the planes using beacons and then made sure that the parachutes and containers were hidden or transported further. A dangerous and exciting task. Mr Van Beuningen housed them in two huts on his property, which gave them a little more comfort. His gardener Willem van Putten brought them food.
Read a report of one of the airdrops here; written by the late Mr Middelbeek from Apeldoorn in his book ‘Ik draag u op’.
During one of those nighttime airdrops, the weapons containers were buried in the ground by a resistance group from Apeldoorn. Shortly afterwards, the resistance group ‘Apeldoorn’ was probably dismantled through betrayal. The KP-‘Old Putten’ was then allowed to remove the ammunition etc. On the instructions of Mr Van Beuningen, these containers were dug up and removed. Later it became known that through betrayal by S.D. spy Achterberg, who worked near Epe, the Germans had arrested Mr. van Beuningen and his staff member Willem van Putten. Mr. van Beuningen was soon released, but Willem van Putten was thoroughly grilled in the Amersfoort camp. Willem van Putten regularly brought hot food to the boys of the resistance group. These boys were first in the water tower, the ‘Bovenmolen’ at the back of the estate, between the machines and on the concrete floor. When Mr. van Beuningen discovered this, he housed them in 2 log cabins, deep in the undergrowth on the ‘Wildernispad’, where they then lay waiting for further information. Despite the many tortures, Willem van Putten remained silent, as a result of which many lives were saved. This shows that he was a person of very good will, sincere and that his commitment was not a whim of his. Willem van Putten was eventually released and welcomed as a hero in Vierhouten.

Flights performed on Dropzone 'Rummy III'

  • From 11 to 12 September 1944, pilot S/L Dale dropped 18 containers and 5 packages with his Stirling from 299 Squadron. Dropping was carried out.
  • From 21 to 22 September 1944, pilot P/O Wilson attempted a drop with his Halifax from 298 Squadron. This drop was unsuccessful, as there was no reception.
  • From 22 to 23 September 1944, pilot F/O Braird dropped 15 containers and 1 package with his Halifax from 644 Squadron. Dropping was carried out.
  • From 28 to 29 September 1944, pilot F/O Harris dropped 23 containers, (1 hang-up), and 2 packages with his Stirling from 299 Squadron. Dropping was carried out.
  • From 1 to 2 October 1944, pilot F/O Powell dropped 24 containers and 4 packages with his Stirling of the 196th squadron. Dropping was carried out.
  • From 2 to 3 October 1944, pilot P/O Williams attempted a drop with his Stirling of the 570th squadron. This drop was not successful, reason unknown.