Now that registration for participation in the Basecamp DZA Vlagheide in Eerde in September 2024 has closed, we can wrap up the different participants. Once again you can take a closer look at a beautiful and collective collection of more than 130 historic military vehicles.
Participants come from all corners of Europe (including Sweden and the Czech Republic) to complete the spectacular Basecamp at the Vlagheide. This includes countless jeeps, motorcycles and weapon carriers, such as Dodges. But of course there are also larger vehicles such as tanks, trucks and crane trucks for logistics, amphibious vehicles and tractors with trailers.
Most of these vehicles will also participate in the Hell’s Highway Defile. This parade from Nuenen to Veghel with Basecamp Eerde as its finish on Saturday, September 14, will involve around 200 vehicles and will be of considerable length.
During the Basecamp, from September 14 to 22, there are many activities at the Basecamp itself. See the program on this website.
But there are also commemorative activities in the immediate area. On the website of the Municipality of Meierijstad we can read that the Round Canopy Parachuting Team (RCPT) will provide an impressive parachute demonstration on September 17 (just like in 2019). They jump from an authentic 80-year-old Dakota C-47, dressed in original uniforms and with the same parachutes as the American 101st Airborne Division used on September 17, 1944.
On that afternoon, the current 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), in collaboration with the Dutch 11 Air Mobile Brigade, will demonstrate their modern military capabilities with an Air Assault demonstration. More than 100 soldiers will use Black Hawk helicopters to capture an object and eliminate a (practice) enemy. This demonstration, complete with smoke, bombs and fake bullets, is a spectacular ‘Hollywood Style’ experience.
Separate tickets can be ordered for both activities via the Municipality of Meierijstad website.
During the weekdays, approximately 3,000 students from primary schools in Meierijstad and the surrounding area will follow a route through the Basecamp where they will receive an explanation about the warfare in 1944 at at least 12 displays. Not only about the combat operations and equipment, but especially about the logistics behind military operations, such as transport, storage, medical assistance and catering.
A week later, on Saturday afternoon, September 21, the Brass / Big band FrissBrass will perform on the outdoor stage of the Basecamp. They will play in the afternoon and provide the last live music performance of OMG 2024.
camp. Our guides will take them in groups onto the campsite, where they will see and hear all about the war who took place here exactly 80 years ago. A unique history lesson for all. School visits are very popular, so far we are expecting 2400 students and their teachers. Even with those numbers, there are still slots available. If schools are interested they can contact us through our website. For more information about school visits, go to: 
will play their music at the OMG Basecamp. This huge drumband can entertain us both marching over the terrain and sitting on our stage, which we’ll have built in the open air.
Caecila from Lieshout/Mariahout will perform. This orchestra with approximately 25 musicians has played at various events for over 30 years, ensuring us of a wide range of musical entertainment. For their performance at our open-air stage at the OMG Basecamp they have chosen to play fitting marching music, such as ‘Colonel Bogey’ and ‘March of the Belgian Paratroopers’.
The 21st of September, saturday, we’ll be joined by the ‘Reünieorkest Regiment van Heutsz’, both in the morning as early afternoon.
Friday night, September 20th, Big Band Schijndel will perform with the Andrew Sisters at this festive night we organise especially for our participants and volunteers!
