Looking back: Commemoration on Friday afternoon, 11 April 2025 – Middenmeer

On Friday afternoon, 11 April 2025, the fourth commemoration was held at the remembrance post on the Molenweg in Middenmeer. We paused to remember the crash of the Vickers Wellington bomber Z8838 KX-Z, which went down during the night of 11 April 1942 on the farmland of the Bakker family. All six crew members from the former Czechoslovakia lost their lives in the crash.

This annual commemoration is organized in coordination with the municipality of Hollands Kroon. The wish to honour this crew every year is shared by the embassies of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Once again, the ceremony was well attended.

Attendees

Among those present were:

• Mayor Rian van Dam

• Cenek Hajny, representative of the Czech Embassy

• Peter Klanduc and Silvia Swan, representatives of the Slovak Embassy

• Willy de Bruin-Bakker, representing the family who farmed the land at the time of the crash

• Jakub Dostál, great-grandson of Marie, sister of pilot Josef Kalenský

• Eleven veterans, whose presence gave the event extra significance

The commemoration

The afternoon began at De Cultuurschuur in Wieringerwerf, where Jan Wouts of the Wieringermeer Historical Society welcomed all guests. Coffee, tea and biscuits were provided. Short speeches were given by representatives of the Czech and Slovak embassies, who expressed their gratitude to the municipality of Hollands Kroon and to our foundation for continuing to organise these annual commemorations. They also reflected on the importance of peace — especially relevant in light of the ongoing war on the European continent.

Afterwards, the group travelled to the remembrance post on the Molenweg. The weather was beautifully spring-like. Hans Elling played the Last Post and the national anthems of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The attending veterans rendered a salute.

Mayor Van Dam spoke on behalf of the municipality, offering warm and personal words. She emphasised that we come together not only to remember, but also to continue learning from the past. She expressed her appreciation for the deep connection between our countries, and underlined the importance of remembrance in a world where peace can no longer be taken for granted.

Jakub Dostál, who had travelled from the Czech Republic especially for the occasion, addressed the gathering. He laid a wreath on behalf of the Free Czechoslovak Air Force Association (FCAFA). This organisation is dedicated worldwide to preserving the memory of the service and sacrifice of Czechoslovak airmen during the Second World War.

Wreath-laying

Wreaths and flowers were laid on behalf of:

• Municipality of Hollands Kroon(by Mayor Van Dam)

• The Czech Embassy(by Cenek Hajny)

• The Slovak Embassy(by Peter Klanduc)

• Wieringermeer Historical Society(by Jan Wouts)

• The Bakker family(by Willy de Bruin-Bakker)

• The Free Czechoslovak Air Force Association (FCAFA)(by Jakub Dostál)

More information

📄 Read more about the crash of Z8838 KX-Z:
👉 Crash info Z8838 – Middenmeer

📸 Click here for all photos of the commemoration 

29th remembrance post unveiled on October 5, 2024

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, the 29th remembrance post was unveiled, in memory of 23-year-old American pilot Benjamin Pollard. Pollard died more than 80 years ago when his P51-B Mustang crashed into the Wadden Sea due to engine failure. The ceremony was organized by the Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon Foundation (SHHK) and was the last unveiling of this year, concluding a series of impressive commemorative moments.

Reception and Welcome

The ceremony started at 2:00 PM with a reception at the NUBO Motor Museum in Hippolytushoef, where owner Gerard Numeijer acted as host. It was the second time that his museum served as a reception area on an unveiling day, and the collection of historic motorcycles and a huge collection of items related to aircraft from the Second World War provided an atmospheric and fitting environment.

After the reception, Mark Hakvoort, chairman of our foundation, opened the ceremony. In his opening speech, he spoke about what happened on April 9, 1944 above the Wadden Sea. He also reflected on the recently deceased veteran Dick Doornik with stories and anecdotes. Doornik had been a regular presence since the very first unveiling on September 14, 2019. Trumpeter Dirk Bak, who died earlier this year, was also remembered and their involvement over the past five years was remembered with gratitude.

The Ceremony

Around 2:45 PM, the group left for the location of the remembrance post, a spot with a view over the Wadden Sea where Pollard crashed more than 80 years ago.

Although the presence of veterans is always a permanent part of SHHK ceremonies, it was special that no fewer than 12 veterans were present this time, which made the ceremony extra impressive. Trumpeter Hans Elling played "The Last Post" during the ceremony, and a minute's silence was observed. Hans also blew the American national anthem.

Mayor Rian van Dam gave an impressive speech for the unveiling. She expressed her respect for the young American pilot Benjamin Pollard, who lost his life in a foreign country, fighting for the freedom of others. She also praised the SHHK board for their work. Thanks to this commitment, with the 29th memorial pole already, the stories of all those young men who risked their lives, and sometimes lost them, for our freedom are kept alive.

After the speech, Mayor Rian van Dam and Juris L. Jansons, Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, jointly unveiled the remembrance post, after which they also laid a wreath together.

With this 29th unveiling, SHHK concluded this year of commemoration. The foundation is looking forward to the coming year, in which new unveilings will take place.

Report of this day by Regio Noordkop

Overview crashed planes and unveiling of our remembrance posts