Crash information ED 816 Wieringerwaard

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.

Plane crash AVRO Lancaster Mk II ED816 OF-U of 97 Squadron at Slikkerdijk near Wieringerwaard

On 12 Jun 1943 at 23.04 the Lancaster took off from Bourn airport in England. After bombing the German city of Bochum, the aircraft was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf110 on its way back at 02.20h. The Messerchmidt was flown by Oberleutnant Werner Husemann. The Lancaster crashed on the land of P. Visser on the Slikkerdike

Four from the seven crew members managed to get out of the aircraft and land safely, by using their parachute.

Shortly after that Thomas, Hanrahan, Robertson, and Bloomfield were arrested and after being interrogated they were taken to a prisoners of war camp. To this day Doyle and Beard are still accounted for as missing. Bromley’s body was found after two weeks in a cornfield not far from the crash site. He is buried at the Wieringerwaard cemetery

The crew

John Thomas	Flight Sergeant	Pilot	23 years old	UK
Charles James Hanrahan	Sergeant	Flight engineer	30 years old	UK
McIvor Robertson	Flight Sergeant	Navigator	28 years old	UK
Ewan Bloomfield	Sergeant	Bomb aimer	22 years old	UK
William Edward Doyle	Sergeant	Radio operator	Age unknown	UK
Leslie Thomas Beard	Sergeant	Gunner	20 years old	UK
Reginald Bromley	Sergeant	Gunner	Age unknown	UK

Name	Role
Mark Hakvoort	Chairman
Chris Dijkshoorn	Treasurer
Martin Blaauw	Secretary