Crash information Z8838 Middenmeer

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.

Crash of Vickers Wellington Mk IC Z8838 KX-Z of 311 Squadron at the Molenweg near Middenmeer

In the evening of 11 April 1942 at 22.01 the Vickers bombers took off from East Wretham airport. The goal of this mission was the city of Essex. All crewmembers were from then Czechoslovakia. On its way to Essex the aircraft was shot by a German night hunter. Responsible for this was Oberlieutenant Helmut Lent.  He had taken off from Leeuwarden airport.

The aircraft flew burning through the sky after which it crashed at the Molenweg. All six crew members lost their lives and were buried at the military honour cemetery of Huisduinen. Currently, they are buried in a joint grave at the  Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery nearby Bergen op Zoom.

Impressive unveiling of remembrance post Z8838 at Middenmeer on October 9, 2021

october 9, 2021 - Amid great interest, remembrance post Z8838 was unveiled on 9 October. Willy de Bruin-Bakker performed the official act under the watchful eye of local residents and many other interested parties.

This sunny Saturday afternoon started in Wieringerwerf, where guests were offered coffee and cake by the Historisch Genootschap Wieringermeer in De Cultuurschuur. There were also previously excavated parts on display that were made available to our foundation earlier this week by Wim Braak. In De Cultuurschuur, speeches were given by representatives of the Czech and Slovak embassies, Katerina Sequensova and Jozef Kušlita. Fred de Vries also spoke on behalf of the Historisch Genootschap Wieringermeer and Harry Doesburg on behalf of 311 Squadron Association from England. The organization of this day was in the hands of the chairman of our foundation, Mark Hakvoort.

After the meeting in De Cultuurschuur, the group left for the place where the memorial post was unveiled, the Molenweg near Middenmeer. Mark emphasized here how important it is that we continue to remember and that the heroes who fought for our freedom should never be forgotten. The names of the six young men who fell on the Molenweg were mentioned. They were between 21 and 30 years old when their Wellington bomber was shot down by a German night fighter.

The unveiling ceremony was impressive. Dirk Bak blew the Czech and Slovak anthems with his trumpet, and a minute's silence was held after "The Last Post". The presence of no fewer than eleven veterans from Hollands Kroon and Schagen, led by Dirk Doornik, made it a beautiful ceremony.

Mayor of Hollands Kroon, Rian van Dam, made it clear in her speech that the six crew members who died are real heroes who gave their lives for our freedom, and many others with them.

Our foundation Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon is proud that we once again had so many visitors this afternoon. Not only (former) residents of the Molenweg and Schagerweg, but also the Historical Associations of, among others, De Wieringermeer, Wieringen, Medemblik and Hoogwoud were represented. The purpose of our foundation is to commemorate and not to forget, this afternoon certainly contributed to that. The Czech media, Czech TV and Czech Radio and Slovak TV have also played an important role in this.

International coverage in the Czech and Slovak media.