Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon
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
Crash information ED 816 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 |
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
Documents of the foundation