Crashinfo_42-63969_EN

Crash information 42-63969 IJsselmeer

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.

Information about the unveiling of the remembrance post for this crash

This remembrance post will be unveiled on October 7, 2023

The program for October 7 is as follows:


2:00 PM

Gathering at the Historical Society Wieringermeer

De Cultuurschuur, Loggersplein 1, 1771 CE Wieringerwerf


2:30 PM

Opening and welcome by Jan Wouts and Mark Hakvoort


3:00 PM

Official unveiling of the remembrance post at the Oude Zeug

Kluisgat 1, 1771 MJ Wieringerwerf


3:30 PM

Official unveiling of the remembrance post at the Dijkgat monument

Noorderdijkweg (near no. 24), 1771 MJ Wieringerwerf


3:45 PM

Closing

Location of this remembrance post

Photo of an American B-24 bomber

Crash information

On the morning of December 22, 1943, the bomber had taken off from Hardwick airfield in England. The American bombers targeted the marshalling yard of the German city of Osnabrück. On the way back, the formation of aircraft came under fire from German anti-aircraft guns (Flak) over the Netherlands, east of Staphorst. The formation broke up, after which those left behind were attacked several times by the German fighters. That day, 22 bombers were shot down between Osnabrück and the English coast. Including the B-24 bomber of pilot Hunt and his crew. The plane crashed in the northern part of the IJsselmeer at approximately 3 p.m.


All nine crew members were killed. In the following months, crew members washed up at various locations around the IJsselmeer. The tail gunner Bennet was found near the port of Oude Zeug. The co-pilot Congelli may also have washed ashore there. During the war the bodies were buried in the Middenmeer cemetery. After the war they were reburied in Margraten, Neuville-en-Condroz (B) or transferred to the United States.

The crew

Grady Glenn Hunt

First Lieutenant

pilot

26 years old

USA

Joseph Pasquale Congelli

Second Lieutenant

second pilot

21 years old

USA

Thomas Richard Curry

Second Lieutenant

navigator

27 years old

USA

Leslie Clarence Matthews

Second Lieutenant

bomb aimer

22 years old

USA

George Brinton Murry

Technical Sergeant

radio operator

20 years old

USA

Ruben Ramirez Galindo

Technical Sergeant

flight engineer

26 years old

USA

Theodore Arthur Blanchard

Staff Sergeant

waist gunner

23 years old

USA

Roy Cook

Staff Sergeant

waist gunner

31 years old

USA

James W. Bennet

Staff Sergeant

tail gunner

unknown

USA

More information on this page after the unveiling of this remembrance post on October 7, 2023