Crash information V8325 Amstelmeer

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.

Beaufighter Mk If V8325 WM-A 68 Squadron Amstelmeer

Information about the crash

On February 18, 1943 at 9:05 PM, the Beaufighter V8325 took off from the English Coltishall airfield for an operation on the island of Vlieland. The aircraft was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire above Texel around 11:03 p.m. Squadron Leader Winward made an emergency landing at high speed on the Amstelmeer.

He was knocked unconscious during the crash and regained consciousness when the plane was on the bottom of the lake. He managed to swim to the surface and hoist himself into the dinghy. Later he was towed away by a boat. The crash left him with a broken arm and a paralyzed hand. Flying Officer Wood was less lucky and was unable to get out of the plane. His body washed up in the port of De Haukes a few days later. After being buried with military honors in Huisduinen, Flying Officer Wood was reburied in Bergen op Zoom after the war.

The crew

27th and 28th memorial pole unveiled: A day of tribute.

Five years ago, on September 14, 2019, our very first remembrance post was unveiled on the Wagenpad in Middenmeer. That moment marked the beginning of a special initiative, in which we keep alive the memory of the allied crews of aircraft that crashed in our municipality during the Second World War.

On September 7, 2024, five years later, two new remembrance posts were unveiled: the 27th and 28th in our series. These posts were placed in the northern part of the Municipality of Hollands Kroon, near the Amstelmeer.

The day started with a warm welcome in the garden of Jetty Bak, a location that gained extra meaning through memories of Dirk Bak, "our" trumpet player, whom we had to say goodbye to at the beginning of this year. There were volunteers, guests and other interested parties who came together for this special day with a full program.

Our treasurer, Chris Dijkshoorn, opened the day with a word of welcome in which he thanked everyone for coming. A special welcome for special guests including Mr Greg French, the Australian ambassador to the Netherlands. He had come from The Hague to pay tribute to the Australian crew members who gave their lives during the war. We were also able to welcome some direct family members of William Dudley Winward, the pilot of a Beaufighter who we would commemorate later in the day. His grandson Paul Spurgeon had come to North Holland especially for this occasion, together with family members such as nephew Roy Fisher and second cousin Philip Roberts, with his daughters Helen Roberts and Angela Cox. The fact that the relatives had made the journey to the Netherlands emphasised the importance of commemorating these crews. As usual, the veterans were also well represented and mayor Rian van Dam of the Municipality of Hollands Kroon was also present.

Chris Dijkshoorn also expressed his special thanks to Nanneke Barends, who is closely involved with our foundation within the Municipality of Hollands Kroon. Her support has proven invaluable in organising days like this.

The first unveiling: Commemoration of the crew of Vickers Wellington X9667

At around 14:15 the group set off for the location of the first remembrance post, in honour of the crew of Vickers Wellington X9667. This aircraft crashed in the Wadden Sea after being shot down by a German fighter. On board were seven crew members, from both England and Australia. Sadly, only one crew member, John Morgan, survived the crash; the other six were killed. Chris Dijkshoorn told the story of this tragic event and explained that the crew should not have been in that area at all. They had drifted off course with practice bombs on board, and their lost route brought them into the sights of the German fighters, who shot them down. This fact made the crash even more sad.

Before the unveiling of the memorial post, the Australian ambassador gave a short speech. He expressed his respect for the efforts of our foundation and the importance of continuing to commemorate these heroes. After that, the veterans' tribute took place, led by veteran Dick Doornik. Trumpeter Hans Elling played the national anthems of both Australia and the United Kingdom. After this, Mayor Rian van Dam laid a wreath at the remembrance post on behalf of the Municipality of Hollands Kroon. This was followed by Mr. Greg French, who also laid a wreath on behalf of the Australian Embassy.

A visit to the grave of navigator Eric Hector Tucker

After the unveiling of the remembrance post for the crew of the Vickers Wellington X9667, the group went to the Westerland cemetery. This is where Eric Hector Tucker, the navigator of the plane that crashed in the Wadden Sea, is buried. The group gathered at his grave, where another ceremony took place. Trumpeter Hans Elling played The Last Post, a tribute to Tucker and the other crew members who gave their lives for our freedom. Mayor Rian van Dam and Ambassador Greg French both laid flowers at the grave.

The second unveiling: The story of the Beaufighter in the Amstelmeer

After visiting the cemetery, the group left for the marina of De Haukes, where the second remembrance post was unveiled. This pole commemorates the crash of a Beaufighter on 18 February 1943. The plane crashed in the Amstelmeer, involving two crew members: pilot William Dudley Winward and his colleague Charles Kenneth Wood. Winward managed to leave the plane after it had hit the bottom of the lake, but Wood was less fortunate and did not survive the crash. The tragedy of this story was aptly expressed by mayor Rian van Dam in her speech. She spoke about the confusion and fear the pilot must have felt when he surfaced after the crash, unconscious from the impact. "You have no idea where you are, what does that do to you? How?", she wondered out loud.

Paul Spurgeon, grandson of William Dudley Winward, unveiled the remembrance post and then said in his speech that he never really knew his grandfather, as he died when Paul was only three years old. However, he had immersed himself in the events of over 80 years ago and had brought photos to share with those present. He expressed his thanks to everyone involved in organising this day and emphasised how important it is that stories like these continue to live on.

Hans Elling once again played the national anthems of the United Kingdom and The Last Post, after which wreaths were laid at the unveiled memorial post.

After the formal part, photos and stories were exchanged at the Marine Watersportvereniging while enjoying a drink.

Photos of the unveiling