Eindhoven local council is calling citizens and former soldiers to contribute war-related objects to an exhibition to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the city’s liberation from German occupation.

In particular, the families of British and American servicemen who were involved in the fighting are being asked to contribute every day items they may have brought home from the city.

On September 18 1944, Eindhoven was liberated by American and British troops during Operation Market Garden in a hard-fought battle for the town and has celebrated the event every year since then.

This year the city is planning an exhibition around 75 objects which tell a story about the war years in the region. The council are looking for objects to do with daily life such as food and money, or with forced labour or military matters. It is also interested in objects that may have found their way abroad.

City archaeologist Nico Arts has already been contacted by various people who want to contribute. ‘We are looking for a variety in objects, mostly to do with daily life, such as rationing cards and the like,’ he told DutchNews.nl.

The Erfgoedhuis, Eindhoven’s store of archaeological finds, is home already to many objects to do with the war years. One item in the collection is a notebook found inside a German war plane discovered (with the pilot still inside) 15 years ago. Another is an American pilot’s ring was found buried with some American dollars. The owner was never found.

‘Some of the military material was re-used after the war and became hot water bottles and vases,’ says Arts. He is also interested in objects to do with Eindhoven that may have been brought home by American and British soldiers. ‘We would absolutely welcome those,’ he said.

People who want to contribute can contact the Erfgoedhuis at erfgoedhuis@Eindhoven.nl