Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon
Crash information NV187 and RD140 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.
Information about the unveiling of the remembrance post for this crash
Two remembrance posts were unveiled on October 30th 2021, one for the ED816 and one for the NV187/RD140
Location of this remembrance post
Collision Bristol Beaufighters Mk TF.X NV187 QM-T and RD140 QM-A of 254 Squadron above the water tower of Wieringerwaard
Crash information
On 17 January 1945 around 12.35h both Beaufighters took off from the English airport North Coates. In this mission joined in total 32 Beaufighters and 23 Spitfires. Their target was the convoy located in the harbour of Den Helder.
After the attack the squadron flew back with a wide curve over the Northkp. Six aircrafts flew in the direction of the water tower of Wieringerwaard. The two aircrafts in front collided to each other, exactly when they passed the tower and crashed. The four left behind thought the two in front were taken under fire from the ground. In a response they opened their fire which caused a lot of damage to the water tower. The damage is restored but nevertheless still visible. Tragic about this, is that no anti-aircrafts gun were presented at this location. All four crew members of the two Beaufighters died and are buried at the Wieringerwaard cemetery.
The NV187 crew
Geoffrey Dutton Warburton | Flying Officer | Pilot | 20 years old | UK |
James Arthur Grey | Flying Officer | Navigator | 34 years old | UK |
The RD140 crew
Frank Paul Trautman | Flying Officer | Pilot | 28 years old | UK |
Noel Evans | Flying Officer | Navigator | 31 years old | UK |
Photos of the unveiling
Reports and press
Unveiling of 2 remembrance posts in Wieringerwaard
On October 30, 2 remembrance posts were unveiled. These posts are located on the Molenweg and the Slikkerdijk in Wieringerwaard.
Before the official unveiling, Chris Dijkshoorn of our Foundation and Rian van Dam, mayor of the Municipality of Hollands Kroon, spoke in the water tower. Due to the weather conditions, we were very happy with the hospitality of Sven Rickli, he made sure that the ceremonies could take place inside the beautiful water tower. At the entrance of the water tower hangs a newspaper article about the crash with the Beaufighters and a part of one of the aircraft where even a serial number is still clearly legible.
Mayor van Dam once again emphasized how important it is to continue to commemorate the young heroes, often in their twenties. They boarded their plane for our freedom and were never sure if they would come home again.
Chris talked about both crashes. On June 13, 1943 an English Avro Lancaster III bomber crashed in the meadow at the Slikkerdijk. Four crew members managed to jump out of the plane and were arrested shortly afterwards. Two crew members are still missing. One crew member was found two weeks after the crash in a cornfield and is buried in the Wieringerwaard cemetery.
On January 17, 1945, two British Bristol Beaufighters flew into each other just past the Water Tower. The crew members of both aircraft were killed. They are also buried in the Wieringerwaard cemetery. Chris also told about Teun Wonder. A 16-year-old boy who was killed in 1944 by English fighter planes. Teun is buried near the crew members we commemorate today. Teun's brother and sister unveiled the information panels on the pole in front of the water tower. The national anthems of the Netherlands and England were played in the water tower by trumpeter Dirk Bak. The national anthems sounded extra beautiful this time because of the acoustics of the water tower.
At the cemetery, wreaths and flowers were laid at the graves of the killed crew members, and at the grave of Teun Wonder. Dirk Bak blew the Last Post, followed by a minute of silence. Partly due to the presence of veterans from Schagen and Hollands Kroon, it was another successful day.
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