Lezing: Vliegveld Bergen

• 15 May 2026
  • 20:00 – 22:00

Bergen Airfield, originally a Dutch military airfield, was taken over by the German Luftwaffe after the German invasion as a day and, especially, night fighter base. From this strategic location, dozens of Allied aircraft were shot down during the war. At the same time, the airfield itself was the target of multiple Allied bombing raids, with varying degrees of success.

Although the airfield was rendered unusable in 1944, it regained significance in May 1945. During the food drops at the end of the war, the site played an important role in providing aid to the Dutch population.

During the lecture, all these aspects are covered in detail. Using unique and never-before-published footage, including remarkable (aerial) photographs, the story of Bergen Airfield is brought to life. Excerpts are also shown of, among other things, the food drops in May 1945.

The lecture will be given by Hans Nauta, who has been conducting detailed research in domestic and foreign archives for over 35 years into all aspects of the air war over North Holland. His years of detective work offer an in-depth and nuanced picture of the events surrounding this important airfield.

The lecture starts at 20:00, doors open at 19:15.

You can also come and have a nice dinner beforehand at 18:00,

Before the lecture, you can enjoy a delicious 1, 2, or 3-course buffet prepared on authentic WWII field kitchens. From 18:00, you can watch the Live Cooking and learn how they managed to keep feeding our Liberators on the West Front for months. The main course we prepare is the Blauwe Hap, a very tasty nasi goreng platter with a story. Come and experience this unique event before the lecture and book it with your lecture ticket.