Crash information 42-103735 Middenmeer

During World War II more than 40 different bombers and jet fighters have crashed within de county borders of Hollands Kroon. The crashes were mostly on land, in the Ijssel lake and the Wadden sea.

Few crew members were arrested after using their parachute to reach the ground, others could flee with the help of the Resistance. However, the majority lost their lives and did not return home safely to their family and loved ones.

Vliegtuigcrash P-51C Mustang 42-103735 “Gooch’s Revenge” OS-F, 355^th Fighter Group, 357^th Squadron. Middenmeer, Oudelanderweg kavel D49

Information about the crash

On October 5, 1944, American P-51 Mustang fighters took off from Steeple Morden Air Base in Hertfordshire, England at 9:40 am. Their assignment, together with other fighters, was to escort American B-24 bombers during a mission to Lippstadt Airport in Germany.

During the outbound flight, one of the P-51 Mustangs suffered engine problems. The 20-year-old pilot, Juntilla, crashed as a result and was unable to make an emergency landing. At 11 a.m. the plane crashed in the Wieringermeerpolder on the Oudelanderweg in Middenmeer, on plot D49. Juntilla had jumped out of the plane with his parachute, survived the crash but was subsequently captured by the occupying forces.

The crew

James Oliver Juntilla

First lieutenant

Pilot

20 years old

United States

Commemoration of Pilot James Juntilla – Middenmeer, 21 June 2025

On Saturday afternoon, 21 June 2025, the 30th remembrance post of the Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon (SHHK) was unveiled. The ceremony, held at the Oudelanderweg in Middenmeer, commemorated American pilot James Oliver Juntilla, who crashed his P-51 Mustang at this location on 5 October 1944.

Reception at the Cultuurschuur

The afternoon began at the Cultuurschuur in Wieringerwerf, home of the Wieringermeer Historical Society. Following coffee, tea, and biscuits, chairman Jan Wouts opened the program. A welcome address was then given by Mark Hakvoort on behalf of SHHK.

Special mention was made of:

• Larry and Rebecca Tanenbaum, friends of the Juntilla family, who took time from their holiday in Europe to attend the ceremony

• Colonel Heide Plummer, Air Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague

• Mary van Gent, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Hollands Kroon

• Annelien Kranenburg-Bouthoorn, eyewitness to the crash

• The veterans, led by Frans van Zwam, who once again attended in large and respectful numbers

Colonel Heide Plummer addressed the audience at the Cultuurschuur, thanking the foundation and all involved for their dedication to commemorating those who fought for our freedom. She emphasized the importance of keeping these stories alive for future generations.

The Story of James Juntilla

James Juntilla was just twenty years old when his aircraft was hit over the Wieringermeer. According to his daughter Karen Juntilla, he bailed out using his parachute after oil from the damaged engine covered the windshield, making it impossible to see. He survived the descent but was soon captured by enemy forces.

Following his arrest, he was interrogated harshly. His daughter recalled, “They beat him up.”Later, he was moved between various prison camps and, like many Allied prisoners, was forced to march long distances through the snow during the harsh winter of 1944–45. These experiences left lasting scars. In later years, he spoke openly about the trauma he had endured.

Reinier Kleis, from Slootdorp, played an important role in re-establishing contact with the Juntilla family. He reached out to David, one of James’s adopted children, who in turn informed his sister Karen. Through this connection, SHHK came into contact with Larry Tanenbaum, who had been close to the Juntilla family for many years.

After the war, James Juntilla built a new life. He studied law, became a lawyer, and later served as a senior official at the Federal Communications Commission. He was a father of four (two biological and two adopted), a talented painter, an art lover, and a man who meant a great deal to those around him.

Ceremony at the Oudelanderweg

After the program in Wieringerwerf, the group made its way to the remembrance post at the Oudelanderweg. There, Mark Hakvoort recounted the story of the crash. He then invited Annelien Kranenburg-Bouthoorn, who had witnessed the crash in 1944, to point out the direction in which she remembered seeing the aircraft go down.

Larry Tanenbaum then addressed the attendees on behalf of the Juntilla family.
He shared how he has been connected to the family since high school, having known Karen and Steve Juntilla for many years. He only recently learned about the ceremony, and since Karen and Steve were unable to attend, Larry and his wife Becky offered to represent them. Their planned stay in Amsterdam happened to coincide with the date of the commemoration, a fortunate coincidence, as Larry described it. During the ceremony, he read a personal message from Karen and Steve in which they reflected on the life of their father, as a pilot, prisoner of war, devoted family man and engaged citizen. They expressed their deep appreciation for the way his story is remembered and honored in the Netherlands. While they could not be there in person, it meant a great deal to them to be included from afar, and for Larry it was an honor to represent them.

The American national anthem was then performed on trumpet by Martin Keppel, during which the attending veterans offered a formal salute.

Larry Tanenbaum was invited to officially unveil the remembrance post.

Following this, Deputy Mayor Mary van Gent spoke to those gathered. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of remembrance, even more than eighty years after the events. She described the story of James Juntilla as a powerful example of courage and international cooperation during dark times, and thanked everyone who contributed to keeping this history visible and alive.

To conclude, wreaths and flowers were laid by the Municipality of Hollands Kroon and the Wieringermeer Historical Society.

Photos of the unveiling