Welcome to the website of our foundation Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon, founded 29 March 2019.
The foundation’s main goal is to remember the aircrafts and crew members who have crashed in the municipality Hollands Kroon during World War II, by placing remembrance posts.
Hollands Kroon is a merge of the municipalities Anna Paulowna, Nieuwe Niedorp, Wieringermeer en Wieringen
On June 15, we unveiled two remembrance posts under great public interest. Guests and other interested parties gathered at the Cultuurschuur in Wieringerwerf, where our chairman, Mark Hakvoort, began with a welcome speech. A special welcome was extended to Sgt. Nicole Mitchell, who represented the Canadian Embassy. The United Kingdom was represented by Ms. Kate Burrows. Mayor Rian van Dam was present on behalf of the municipality of Hollands Kroon, and nine veterans also came to Wieringerwerf. We were once again pleased with the coffee, tea, and hospitality provided by the Wieringermeer Historical Society.
After our chairman's words, the group departed for the location of the first unveiling at Zuiderdijkweg. Here, on April 21, 1943, the Mosquito DZ386 crashed just outside the dike, resulting in the deaths of crew members Shand and Handley. Before the remembrance post was unveiled, there were speeches from Mayor Rian van Dam and Ms. Kate Burrows, after which they performed the official unveiling together. Trumpeter Hans Elling played The Last Post and the national anthem of the United Kingdom. The veterans were once again well represented, adding a fitting touch to this official ceremony. Wreaths and flowers were laid on behalf of the municipality of Hollands Kroon, the British Embassy, and the Wieringermeer Historical Society.
The second unveiling took place at Koggenrandweg near Lambertschaag. This remembrance post was erected to commemorate the crash of the Wellington BK340. The five Canadian crew members survived the crash by timely parachuting out of the aircraft. In her speech, Sgt. Mitchell expressed her admiration for the way World War II is commemorated in the Netherlands. In Canada, they do not have this tradition, especially since Canada was never occupied. The weather was not favorable during this unveiling; in the pouring rain, the remembrance post was unveiled by Sgt. Nicole Mitchell and Mayor Rian van Dam. Both then laid a wreath at the remembrance post. There were also flowers from the Wieringermeer Historical Society. The veterans, led by Dick Doornik, also provided a beautiful ceremonial contribution here. Hans Elling played the national anthem of Canada.
First Unveiling 2024
On May 25, 2024, the first remembrance post of the year was unveiled. This post keeps alive the memory of the crew of the Consolidated B24 Liberator bomber 44-49972 that crashed on March 31, 1945. All 12 crew members survived the crash. Two men eventually made it to the liberated city of Stavoren with help. The other ten crew members were taken as prisoners of war.
On the day of the unveiling, interested parties gathered at the village hall in Kolhorn, where coffee and cake were served. In the village hall, there were three propellers from the crashed bomber, one of which was in almost new condition. Remarkably, there were visible bullet holes from their own machine gun, which, during a weapons test, fired into their own engine, ultimately causing the crash.
Our treasurer, Chris Dijkshoorn, welcomed everyone. The Municipality of Hollands Kroon was represented by Deputy Mayor Mark Versteeg. Mr. Ran, who witnessed the crash, received a special welcome. Veterans were also present, and it was the first unveiling without Dirk Bak, whom we had to say goodbye to earlier this year. Jetty and her son John, who feel connected to our foundation, were also present.
After Chris's welcome speech, everyone went to the Kolhornerkade for the unveiling of the remembrance post. Deputy Mayor Mark Versteeg spoke about the events of the crash day and how extraordinary it must have been for those young soldiers to fight in an unknown place, far from home, uncertain if they would return safely. Twelve young men fought for our freedom and were lucky to survive this crash. Many others were not so fortunate. Chris read out the names and ages of the crew members. All the boys, whose ages were known, were between 19 and 21 years old.
The official unveiling of the remembrance post was carried out by Mr. Ran and Mark Versteeg. Trumpeter Martien Keppel played the United States national anthem, with the veterans saluting. After the official ceremony, wreaths were laid by Mark Versteeg on behalf of the Municipality of Hollands Kroon and by Petra Borst-Koorn on behalf of the May 4th foundation.
Click here for more information about the crash of the 44-49972
Calendar 2024
Saturday May 25, 2024:
Unveiling of remembrance post 44-49972 Liberator USAAF in Kolhorn
Saturday June 15, 2024:
Unveiling of remembrance post DZ386 Mosquito near the Schervenweg in Wieringerwerf
Unveiling of remembrance post BK340 Wellington at Lambertschaag
Saturday September 7, 2024:
Unveiling of remembrance post V8325 Beaufighter near Amstelmeer/Waddenzee
Unveiling of remembrance post X9667 Wellington at the Wadden Sea
Saturday October 5, 2024
Unveiling of remembrance post 42-103735 P51 on the Oudelanderweg in Middenmeer
Unveiling of remembrance post 43-6761 P51 near the Wadden Sea/Hippolytushoef
Further details about these events will be published later.
On each post, an information panel is placed on which can be read what exactly happened on that location.
What was their mission? What happened with the crew members? What type of aircraft?
This information is collected by volunteers with the greatest care.
On the map is indicated, the locations of the crashes and therefore the locations where remembrance posts are or will be placed.
In 2012, pilot H.N. (Bluey) Mottershead, commander of 158 squadron, spoke these words. He flew more than 25 bombing missions in World War II. After the war, Mr Mottershead dedicated himself to the memory of fallen airmen.
To reach our goal we want to place remembrance posts throughout the municipality, at those points where planes have crashed.
To purchase these posts we need financial funds. If you are interested to support us you can contact us through email address: info@shhk.nl
We will get in touch with you as soon as possible. For more information check out our list with current sponsors.
During World War II more than 40 aircrafts have crashed in Hollands Kroon and in parts of the Wadden Sea, Amstel lake and Ijssel lake.
Crew members of these plaines were killed, captured, went missing or found ways to escape from the enemy.
We want to remember all those crew members to make sure that they will never be forgotten.
They have fought for our freedom and as said many have given their lives. We should not ever forget this.
In the municipality Hollands Kroon, crew members from the following countries were crashed:
For items with
the remembrance post is placed and unveiled
Whitley
T4279
Middenmeer
Wagenpad
Status : Unveiled
Date : 14-09-2019
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 5 KIA
Pilot : Donald Keith MacFarland
SGLO : T1056
P-47-C Thunderbolt
41-6587
Vatrop
Vatropperweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 25-10-2019
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 1 KIA
Pilot : Ivan R. Moon
SGLO : T3034
Lancaster III
JB535
Kolhorn
Ansjoviskade
Status : Unveiled
Date : 05-09-2020
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 7 KIA
Pilot : Ernest S.Clarke
SGLO : T3339
Halifax II
LW343
Anna Paulowna
Kerkweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 26-09-2020
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 4 KIA / 3 POW
Pilot : D.J.H. Cheal
SGLO : T3172
Lancaster
W4769
Wieringerwerf
Oostermiddenmeerweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 06-02-2021
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 7 KIA
Pilot : Raymond H.Bird
SGLO : T1970
Wellington
P9286
Winkel
Groetpolderweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 18-09-2021
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 6 KIA
Pilot : D.E. Larkman
SGLO : T0905
Wellington
Z8838
Middenmeer
Molenweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 09-10-2021
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 6 KIA
Pilot : Josef Kalensky
SGLO : T1474
Lancaster III
ED816
Wieringerwaard
Slikkerdijk
Status : Unveiled
Date : 30-10-2021
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 1KIA/2MIA/4POW
Pilot : J.Thomas
SGLO : T2452
Beaufighter
NV187 / RD140
Wieringerwaard
Molenweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 30-10-2021
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 2 KIA / 2 KIA
Pilot : G.D.Warburton
Pilot : F.P.Trautman
SGLO : T5125 / T5126
Halifax
JN884
Slootdorp
Dolfijnweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 16-04-2022
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 6 KIA / 1 POW
Pilot : Kenneth R. Larkin
SGLO : T2704
Mosquito IV
DZ316
Slootdorp
Schelpenbolweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 21-05-2022
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 2 POW
Pilot : Peter Frank Hall
SGLO : T2279
Fokker
C.V-E 645
Slootdorp
Slootweg
Status : Unveiled
Datum : 21-05-2022
Klik hier voor alle informatie over deze crash en de onthulling
Bemanning : 2
Piloot : Evert Meindert Hoekstra
SGLO : T0525
Wellington
Z1467
Slootdorp
Molenweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 11-06-2022
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 6 KIA
Pilot : Witakowski
SGLO : T1582
Wellington
R1226
Breezand
Zandvaart
Status : Unveiled
Date : 02-07-2022
Whitley
Z6462
Anna Paulowna
Veerweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 17-09-2022
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 5 POW
Pilot : Albert Ernest Barlow
SGLO : T0940
Boeing B17
42-107009
Middenmeer
Tussenweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 08-10-2022
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 9 POW
Pilot : Raymond Howard Hillestad
SGLO : T4655
Lancaster III
ND357
Kolhorn
Status : Unveiled
Date : 25-04-2023 19:00h
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Bemanning : 7 KIA
Piloot : Mansfield
SGLO : T3314
Wellington
T2990
Nieuwe Niedorp
Kanaalweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 04-05-2023
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 5 KIA / 1 POW
Pilot : Bufka
SGLO : T1068
Halifax II
JD149
Waddenzee
Status : Unveiled
Date : 17-06-2023
Lancaster
W4256
Waddenzee
Status : Unveiled
Date : 17-06-2023
Beaufighter
NT918
Wieringerwaard
Kruisweg
Status : Unveiled
Date : 15-07-2023
B-24-D Liberator
42-63969
IJsselmeer
Status : Unveiled
Date : 07-10-2023
P-47-D Thunderbolt
42-7924
Den Oever
IJsselmeer
Status : Unveiled
Date : 07-10-2023
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 12 (10 POW)
Pilot : Hopper
SGLO : T5470
Detailed information about this crash and the unveiling
Crew : 1 KIA
Pilot : Benjamin Ashby Pollard
SGLO : T3578
Status : to be planned
Date :
Status : to be planned
Date :
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