Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon
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
Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon
Board of the foundation
Name | Role |
Mark Hakvoort | Chairman |
Chris Dijkshoorn | Treasurer |
Martin Blaauw | Secretary |
Board members fulfill their tasks on a voluntary basis