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31 December 2004 Added F/S William Mander from Montreal, Canada. He was a bomb aimer with 102 squadron and was lost on a mission to Hamburg on 27 July 1942. His Halifax was forced to ditch in the Dollart Basin after being hit by flak. He is buried in Delfzijl.
29 December 2004 Added F/O Robert Draper from Vancouver, Canada. He was a wireless operator with 407 Squadron and was lost on an anti-shipping mission on 18 April 1942 off the Dutch coast. He is buried in Ferwerderadeel. Also buried here is one unknown airman and Sgt David Stanners from Galashiels, Selkirkshire.
28 December 2004
Added 2Lt Jack Horton from New York. He was a fighter pilot with 56th Fighter Group and was shot down on 30 July 1943 over The Netherlands. He is buried in Margraten. Thanks to Peter Randall for the pictures.
27 December 2004 Added Sgt Harry Clifford Locke of St. Budeaux, Plymouth. He was an air gunner on a Mitchell bomber with 98 squadron. He was killed on 6 February 1945 when his bomber was shot down during an attack on Deventer.
Also added New Zealander P/O Russell Wood, of 44 Sqn. He, and his very international crew of five nationalities, was shot down on 21 June 1944 on a raid to Wesseling. Aboard was also an American wireless operator T/Sgt Albert Martin who was with the USAAF at the time. P/O Wood and two of his crew are today buried at Nederweert War Cemetery. T/Sgt Martin is commemorated on the Wall of the Missing at Margraten.
Also added a link to a great site by Søren Flenstad from Denmark that documents the air war over Denmark and commemorates Allied airmen that were killed and/or buried in Denmark.
26 December 2004
Updated F/S Martin Byrne and F/S John Gilbertson's page. They were with 75 squadron, R.N.Z.A.F., and shot down over the IJsselmeer on 29 July 1942. They are buried in Amsterdam.
(F/S John Gilbertson)
18 December 2004
Updated the pages of F/O Edwin Hodgson's crew that crashed on 6 November 1944 into the IJsselmeer off the coast of Venhuizen. The crew was on a Special Duty mission to drop supplies to the Dutch resistance but was apparently having trouble making contact with the receiving party. The Stirling crashed into the IJsselmeer after it was heard to fly at an extreme low altitude. Updated the pages with a picture of the memorial that was erected in Venhuizen in memory of the crew, near the dike where the plane crashed.
17 December 2004
Added Sgt Arthur Walter Dudley Frost, air gunner with 15 Squadron. He and his crew were lost over the North Sea after an aborted mission to Wesel. The whole crew perished. Four of the crew are buried in four different places in The Netherlands. Three are still missing. Sgt Frost is buried in Amsterdam. Also added Sgt. Alfred James Higgison (picture), from Auckland and pilot of this crew. He is still missing and commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial. Thanks to Ian Wilson and Will McCallum for the information on this crew.
Sgt. Alfred James Higgison
(picture courtesy of Ian Wilson)Also added Sgt. Ian Overheu, from New Zealand. He was lost on 16 June 1941 on an anti-shipping mission and is still missing. He is commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial.
15 December 2004 Added Gunner Joseph Arthur Boyd from Watcombe, Devon. He was with the 115th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and he died on 16 May 1945. As he is buried in Castricum, it is thought he was lost at sea.
Also added the Requests and Inquiries page. Here I will post inquiries I receive from friends and family that are looking for information about soldiers, sailors and airmen that were lost in the Netherlands.
This website is not possible without YOUR help. I also would like to ask anyone who has any information about a soldier, sailor or airman lost here, to contact me, so I can add the information to the site. Any help is greatly appreciated.
14 December 2004 Added T4 Robert H. Hufford Jr. from Ohio and T/Sgt John H. Marcotte from Vermont. They were with the 1058th Engineer Construction and Repair Group and were killed on 17 March 1945 when the Ludendorff Bridge (the famous Bridge at Remagen), on which they were working, collapsed, killing 28 engineers.
7 December 2004 Added Flight Sergeant Albert Marvell DFM, from Foxton, Leicestershire. F/S Marvell had just been awarded a DFM for completing an operational tour with 103 squadron and was posted to 20 O.T.U. for an extended 'rest period' and to train new air crews. Very shortly after arriving he was to fly on an operational mission to Essen on the night of 1 June 1942 on one of the 1,000 bomber raids. F/S Marvell's bomber was shot down, probably over the North Sea. F/S Marvell is buried in Bergen Military Cemetery.
Added a link to Marion Chard's excellent site about the Combat Engineers of the US 6th Corps in Europe during World War Two.
5 December 2004 Added Driver Thomas Arthur Austin, from Barking, Essex. He was with the 858 Quarrying Company of the Royal Engineers. His unit was transported to Normandy aboard the 'SS Empire Beatrice' when their ship was attacked and heavily damaged by German S-boats off the Normandy coast. Driver Austin is buried in Den Burg cemetery on Texel.
3 December 2004
2Lt Richard Wallace Taylor from Geneva, New York, was a Mustang pilot with the 357th Fighter Group. He crashed on 23 February 1945 near Castricum after a bomber escort mission. The cause of the crash is thought to have been lack of oxygen. 2Lt Taylor was reburied in Geneva, New York in 1949.
Thanks to Paul Patist for the pictures and information.
2 December 2004 Corrected the links to Jeff Badger's Warbuddies page about his grandfather, Leo Kavanaugh, who was with the 978th Engineer Maintenance Company in WW2. The Dutch version of the page can be found here.
1 December 2004 Prince Bernhard died tonight
Prince Bernhard Zur Lippe Biesterfeld died tonight at age 93. Married to Queen, later Princess, Juliana, he personified the Dutch resistance against the German occupation of The Netherlands during World War Two and afterwards. A German himself, he married Princess Juliana in 1937 and was the highest Dutch military authority during World War Two, fighting against his former fatherland. As a pilot he flew missions against the axis and he was instrumental in the Dutch Military resistance against the occupying German forces. He was very closely connected with the Dutch resistance in the Netherlands and a patron to those who put their lives on the line for our freedom.
Updated the pages of F/O Hodgson's crew. F/O Elmer J. Rusenstrom, navigator, F/O George L. Towns, bomb-aimer, W/O William King, wireless operator/air gunner, Sgt Reginald H.G. Nevard, engineer and F/O Henry E. Evans, air gunner were tasked to drop supplies to the Dutch resistance but apparently got lost and crashed into the IJsselmeer. They belonged to 190 squadron. They were lost on 6 November 1944 and are buried in Enkhuizen, with the exception of F/O Evans, who was recovered from the wreck when it was salvaged in 1991. He is buried in Bovenkarspel.
30 November 2004 Leading Stoker Brian Sleath and Stoker 1st Class Peter Mackie were crew members of the Royal Navy's MTB 666. The 666, known as 'the Sixes', together with other MTB's from its flotilla attacked a convoy off the Dutch coast but was itself hit my a shell from a German gun ship. The crew was taken prisoner, but Leading Stoker Brian Sleath and Stoker 1st Class Peter Mackie died later of their wounds in hospital. They are buried in Bergen Military cemetery.
28 November 2004 Started a Bibliography on the Research page. This page is under construction.
23 November 2004
Updated F/O Donald Taylor's page. He was a Spitfire pilot with 485 Sqn RNZAF. He crashed on 9 February 1945 while strafing a marshalling yard in Onnen, Groningen. He is buried in Haren. The picture was provided by Dave Homewood.
21 November 2004 Added F/L John Dickinson DFC, pilot on a Blenheim with 110 Sqn, his navigator Sgt Charles Fry and wireless operator Sgt Robert Mower. Their Blenheim was shot down on 13 March 1941 en route to their target of Hamburg. All three of his crew perished. They are buried in Groningen (Esserveld) Cemetery.
Also added an unknown Flight Sergeant, an unknown airman buried in July 1942 and an unknown airman buried in November 1944. All are buried in Ulrum, Groningen.
20 November 2004
Added T/Sgt Nicholas A. Tenaglia (picture) from Camden, New Jersey. T/Sgt Tenaglia was the top turret gunner / engineer on B17 'Sugarfoot' of the 100th Bomb Group. He and his crew were lost on 11 December 1943 on a mission to Emden. There was only one survivor. The rest of the crew is MIA and commemorated on the Wall of the Missing in Margraten. Thanks to Mr. Frank McDermott and Mr. Phil Cohen for providing pictures and information.
Updated F/L Kenneth Berry DFM page. The cause of the crash of his Lancaster is now known. Thanks to Paul Patist for providing additional information.
19 November 2004 Added Able Seaman Dennis Burrin from Edgware, Middlesex. He was a crewmember of the Royal Navy Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) 417 that was sunk by German surface vessels while attacking a convoy of trawlers off the French coast in the night of 15/16 March 1944. He is buried in Castricum. Two of his crew, Leading Telegraphist Eric Woolis and Lt. Ralph Rooper DSC are buried in Bergen Military Cemetery and one, Sub-Lieutenant Henry Berkeley, in Coxyde, Belgium.
18 November 2004 Added the remaining members of the 214 squadron crew that was shot down on 13 March 1941 and which crashed close to the city of Groningen: Sgt Alexander Elder, Sgt Victor Bagley, Sgt George Daniel and Sgt Sol Glazer, who was from New Zealand. The others were from England. Only the nose turret gunner, Sgt Waters, survived. This crew is buried at Groningen (Esserveld) Cemetery. Also buried there is the crew of a Blenheim of 110 squadron that was shot down just 20 minutes earlier, just west of Groningen. This crew will be added later.
17 November 2004 Added Sgt John La Bassee Tomkinson from Fareham, Hampshire, England. He was a wireless operator on a Wellington with 214 squadron. He was shot down on a mission to Hamburg on 13 March 1941. He is buried at Esserveld cemetery in the city of Groningen.
13 November 2004
Added reserve 1st Lt. Anthonie Vreeken, commander of the anti tank group, 16th Regiment Infantry of the Dutch Army. He was killed on 11 May while on patrol on the Grebbeberg. He is buried in Amersfoort.
11 November 2004
Today is Veterans Day/Remembrance Day on which we remember all the men and women who laid down their lives for our freedom. May their sacrifices be never forgotten. Take time to reflect on these sacrifices and be grateful for the freedom it brought. Heartfelt thanks to the veterans who are still with us and who fought so that we could enjoy our lives in peace.
10 November 2004 Updated Sgt Wilfred Turley's page. He was a wireless operator on a Hudson with an all Canadian crew flying with 407 Sqn. They were lost on a anti-shipping mission on 15 December 1941. Sgt Turley is buried in Usquert. Thanks to Chris Timmer for the additional information on the crew.
Also added Sgt William Henry Curtis, air gunner with 106 Sqn. He was lost on 8 July 1942 on a mission to Wilhelmshaven. He is buried in Delfzijl.
9 November 2004 Added Flying Officer Thomas Donald Little. He was a Spitfire pilot with 611 (west Lancaster) squadron and was lost in a massive air battle over Dunkirk on 2 June 1940, while providing air cover for the evacuation of the British forces. He is buried in Castricum.
8 November 2004 Added Flight Sergeant Peter Alderton. He was a Lancaster pilot with 61 Sqn and lost on 13 May 1943. He is buried in Amsterdam.
7 November 2004 Added Heesbeen Cemetery page.
5 November 2004 Added F/L Kenneth Berry DFM of 103 Squadron. He and his crew were lost on 15 February 1944 on a mission to Berlin. F/L Berry and some of his crew are buried on Den Burg Cemetery on Texel Island. They were the only loss of seventeen crews sent out by 103 squadron this night.
28 October 2004 F/L Svatopluk Bachurek, a Czech Spitfire pilot with 124 squadron, was shot down by fighters of JG26 or JG2 on 25 April 1942 on a Circus mission. Six Spitfire squadrons flew over Northern France to entice the Luftwaffe to scramble and engage them in air to air combat.
26 October 2004 South African Private Bolton Grant of the Royal Natal Carbineers is buried in Nederweert. It is thought he was taken prisoner by the Germans in either North Africa or Italy and died while in a POW camp in Germany. His body might have been recovered by the American Graves Registration company, operating out of Margraten and later reburied in Nederweert War Cemetery.
Also added pictures of the burial of six airmen of a Stirling bomber that crashed near Opmeer in May 1941. They are reburied at Bergen War Cemetery. Thanks to Co Maarschalkerweerd for providing the pictures.
25 October 2004
F/O Robert Brigden was a Mosquito pilot with 605 Sqn. He was lost on 1 September 1944. He and his navigator W/O Tom Harris were on an Intruder mission and shot down by flak near Gilze Rijen airfield. Their plane crashed near Heesbeen, killing F/O Bridgen. W/O Harris was taken prisoner.
Thanks to Tony Bridgen, Robert's grandson, for the pictures and information.
24 October 2004 Added F/O Thomas Court from Manchester, England. He was a navigator on a Stirling bomber with 138 Special Duty Squadron. On 9 September 1944 his crew successfully dropped two Dutch Agents and containers with supplies to the Dutch resistance near Spanbroek, north of Amsterdam. Leaving the country and flying low it is thought they hit the cable of a barrage balloon and crashed on the island of Texel. Three of the crew were killed. They are buried at Den Burg cemetery on Texel. F/O John Hulme was the wireless operator on this crew and F/O William G. E. Walton DFC, BEM, air gunner.
Also added a link to Dave Stapleton's website dedicated to 626 Squadron. This is an very well researched and complete site about this squadron, which had his uncle as a member, and the 626 Squadron Research project.
23 October 2004 Updated F/O Alan Woolverton's page. He and his crew (now identified) were lost on a mission to Leipzig. The whole crew lost their life when the Halifax bomber they were flying apparently crashed into the IJsselmeer. Three bodies were recovered and are buried in different towns. F/O Woolverton is buried in Enkhuizen, WOII Neil Stewart in Andijk and Sgt Lister in Groesbeek. The remaining crew members are still missing.
Added F/O Wilfred Wardle, from Gosforth, England and navigator on a 236 Sqn Coastal Command Beaufighter. He was shot down on 12 September 1944 on an anti shipping mission near Den Helder. He is buried at Den Burg Cemetery on the island of Texel. His pilot, Wing Commander E. W. Tacon, although badly burned, survived. He passed away in September 2003.
17 October 2004
Added Flight Sergeant Martin Byrne, from Cambridge, New Zealand. He was an observer on Fl Sgt Gilbertson's crew. They were shot down over the IJsselmeer after a mission to Hamburg on 29 July 1942. He was on his 10th mission. He is buried in Amsterdam. Thanks to Dave Homewood for the picture.
14 October 2004 Added Sgt George Morffew from West Harrow, Middlesex. He was the wireless operator on Fl Sgt Fortin's crew that was lost over the North Sea on 22 July 1942.
13 October 2004 Added Flight Sergeant Edour Fortin, French Canadian and pilot with 101 Sqn. He and his crew were lost over the North Sea on 22 July 1942 after a mission to Duisburg. He is buried in Amsterdam.
12 October 2004
Added the third member of the Laurens crew, P/O Cassian Henry Waight, from British Honduras. They died on 20 February 1944 while on a mission to Leipzig. P/O Waight was the wireless operator and is buried in Noordwijk, approximately 12 kilometers west of Tolbert, where the other two are buried. Thanks to Bill Churchley and Roy Lourens for the story and pictures.
Also added Flight Sergeant John Edward Gilbertson, pilot on a Wellington bomber that was lost on a mission to Hamburg on 29 July 1942. Fl Sgt Gilbertson was with 75 Sqn RNZAF.
11 October 2004 Added Flight Sergeant Lloyd Aikenhead from Greenway, Manitoba, Canada. He was an bomb aimer on a Hudson with 407 Sqn RCAF. He was lost on a anti-shipping mission on 21 June 1942 and is buried in Delfzijl.
Also added Sgt William Bolt, air gunner on P/O Laurens crew, 101 Squadron. He died on 20 February 1944 on a mission to Leipzig and is buried in Tolbert.
7 October 2004
Added the first South African, P/O John Laurens DFM. An experienced Lancaster pilot with 101 Sqn RAF. He died on 20 February 1944, on his 20th mission. After attacking Leipzig, 'K-King' was shot down with the loss of three of the crew. P/O Laurens is buried in Tolbert.
1 October 2004 Added the fourth New Zealander to the site, F/O Gordon Hudson, from Kaponga. This mosquito pilot flew his 13th mission on 27 March 1945 to Berlin. His mosquito crashed near Leek in The Netherlands, probably due to an accident. He and his navigator, Canadian F/O Maurice Gaunt, from Winnipeg, are buried in Zevenhuizen.
30 September 2004
P/O Allan Hockley, from Strathfield, Australia. He was a pilot on a Flying Fortress II of 214 Sqn RAF which were used for electronic warfare in support of the bombing missions. P/O Hockley and crew were shot down by Oblt. Leube of NJG3, while on a mission to Antwerp. The plane crashed into the Oosterschelde.
P/O Hockley is buried in Yerseke General cemetery with his tail gunner Sgt. Raymond Simpson. Thanks to Mr. Ryan Dudley for the picture and information.
22 September 2004
Updated 1Lt Victor Vogel's page. Thanks to his nephew Chuck Vogel who supplied the photo. Chuck is restoring a 1936 VLH Harley Davidson that he is dedicating to his uncle by painting it like the plane he flew, with serial number and Fighter Group.
Lt. Vogel flew with the 352nd Squadron, 353 Fighter Group. He was MIA on January 11, 1944, flying P-47D (42-7904) usually flown by Lt. Clifford Armstrong. It is at this point not known which was Lt. Vogel's 'own' plane. Any information would be most welcome.Research is also on the way on Sepoy Ramchandra Shellar, of the 1/5 Mahratta Light Infantry who is buried in Nederweert. According to Major Sadanand of the Mahratta Light Infantry in India it seems he was a veteran from the North African campaign. The medals awarded to him indicate he was also active in Italy. However, the Battalion has no known POW/MIA cases from that period. It is a possibility that Sepoy Shellar became a POW in either North Africa or Italy, and was sent to a POW camp in Germany, where he died. The research in the case of Ramchandra Shellar is ongoing.
1 September 2004 Added a link to Jeff Badger's Warbuddies page about his grandfather, Leo Kavanaugh, who was with the 978th Engineer Maintenance Company in WW2. This page is about his grandfather's wartime career, his buddies and Jeff's search to uncover their story.
27 August 2004 Added S/Sgt Robert P. Valentik, S/Sgt Sanford S. Tisdale and T/Sgt Roman B. Beran of 1Lt William E. Green's crew. Their B17 was shot down after a mission to Frankfurt on February 4, 1944. Four of the crew were recovered. They were reburied in the United States after the war. The remaining six are still missing, but it seems that their plane has been located and might be recovered in the future.
2nd Lt Thomas J. Merritt, from Duluth, Minnesota, was platoon leader with 'C' Company, 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was killed on October 11, 1944 near Bemmel in The Netherlands.
26 August 2004
S/Sgt Philip J. Racco (picture), 68th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division, was killed on 7 April 1945 near Kefferhausen, Germany.
1Lt William E. Green, B17 pilot with the 100th Bomb Group was lost on 4 February 1944 on a mission to Frankfurt. Also added 2Lt Jack P. Jensen, his co-pilot from Washington State.
24 August 2004
2nd Lt Joseph Campanale from Akron, Ohio, was killed on November 23, 1944 near Aachen, in a mine clearing operation. He was with the 82nd Combat Engineer Battalion. He is buried in Margraten.
F/O David Sparrow and F/O Victor Brown of 151 Sqn lost their life on 20 April 1943 while attacking trains near the Dutch German border. They are buried in Onstwedde.
23 August, 2004
Added a link to a great site about the Dutch Participation in operation Market Garden. Well worth a visit:
August 18, 2004
Sgt Bernard Palastanga was lost on 7 November 1941 when his Hampden was attacked by a German night fighter and he bailed out. His body washed ashore near Hindeloopen where he is buried today.
1Lt Edward P. Gwin was a B17 pilot with the 100th Bomb Group. His B17 was shot down by a ME262 on 18 March 1945 over Salzwedel/Bretsch. He and three of his crew are buried in Margraten.
New Zealander F/O Donald Taylor, at 21 a very experienced fighter pilot with 485 Sqn RNZAF, was killed on 9 February 1945 while strafing marshalling yards.
August 17, 2004
Added the remaining crew members of WO II Kettley's crew: F/O Alexander P. McCracken, P/O Michael Sydney Smyth, F/O Marcel Emmett Tomczak, Fl Sgt Edward K E White and Sgt Edward Joseph Wood. They were with 405 Sqn RCAF and lost on 25 July 1943 after a mission to Essen. They rest at Ten Boer Protestant Cemetery.
P/O Desmond Byrne Snape, from Abbotsford, Australia, was killed on 24 February 1944 while on a Serrate patrol. He is buried in Loppersum.
August 16, 2004
2Lt Jacques E. Riddel was a co-pilot with the 384th Bomb Group. His plane was shot down by German fighters after bombing the Fieseler Works in Kassel, Germany. The plane crashed near Opende in Groningen, The Netherlands. After the war people in the town dedicated an memorial to the crew. Lt. Riddel is buried in Margraten.
Updated T/Sgt Lewis P. Ficken's page with a new crewpicture.
Warrant Officer II Clifford Kettley, from Mission Bridge, British Colombia, Canada. He was an wireless operator with 405 Sqn RCAF and was killed on 25 July 1943. He is buried in Ten Boer.
August 11, 2004
T5 Wesley E. Smith Jr. was killed in the Ludendorff Bridge collapse on March 17, 1945. 28 Engineers lost their lives when the famous Bridge at Remagen caved in. T5 Smith was with the 1058th Construction and Repair Group and is buried in Margraten.
Tec5 Lewis Szakacs, from New York, was killed on April 13, 1945 near Klotz, Germany. He was with the 561st Field Artillery Battalion. His unit was ambushed when it Commanding Officer sent it further than it was supposed to go. The ambush resulted in several killed and many taken POW.
August 4, 2004
I went to Margraten and updated the pages of S/Sgt Itmusu Sasaoka, Capt. Karl O. Holliday, T/Sgt Edwin J. Frolick and T/Sgt Lewis P. Ficken.
Also added a picture of F/O Ian Stirton (left), who was shot down on the very first mission flown by his squadron, 429 RCAF. He is buried in Usquert.
Also Added S/Sgt Frank P. Weiss of the 30th Infantry Division. He was killed on March 27, 1945 in Germany and is buried in Margraten.
July 28, 2004
S/Sgt Itsumu Sasaoka, 100th Bn/442nd Regimental Combat Team, an Infantry Regiment made up of Japanese Americans, was listed as Missing in Action on October 22, 1944. He was part of an armored convoy that brought supplies to the village of Biffontaine, but was ambushed. S/Sgt Sasaoka was wounded, but taken POW by the Germans. He was allegedly killed by Soviet forces when they liberated Stalag III. He is listed on the wall of the missing at Margraten.
Added the following links:
US Army Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command
JPAC investigates and recover lost US Service personnel (MIA's) all over the world. This official site is about the work and operations of this fantastic US Army unit.US Defense Department POW/Missing Personnel Office
"The information assembled [...] is to assist readers in understanding the U.S. Government effort to achieve the fullest possible accounting of our missing in action".July 27, 2004
2nd Lt. Byron M. Balk, 414th Inf. Regt., 104th Inf. Div., was killed on October 26, 1944 near Zundert during a night attack. This was one of the first attacks that the 104th participated in. Today 2Lt. Balk is buried at Margraten.
Also added S/Sgt Leroy E. Leist. He and his crew were lost on February 4, 1944 on a mission to Frankfurt.
July 24, 2004
T/Sgt Saul Suskind was Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on a B-24 of the 44th Bomb Group. He and his crew were killed on January 27, 1943, when their plane was attacked by German fighters after bombing Lemmer harbor. He rests at Margraten.
July 19, 2004
www.combatcamera.org is the official website of the International Combat Camera Association. In World War 2 cameramen and photographers of Camera Combat Units flew with the Army Air Forces to film and photograph the air war. Their colleagues on the ground and at sea went to great lengths to capture the ground- and sea war on film. It is one of the aims of the Association to
"seek to support an unceasing quest for accuracy, as well as to provide insight into the photographic recording of armed conflicts. Further, it strives to recognize and inspire those dauntless individuals who chronicle these events for posterity.[...]
Many lost their lives in the pursuit of "the telling image" so that we would have the privilege of inheriting their vision. Our goal is to honor and credit those individuals and groups who participated in the terrible panorama of world and regional conflict.
If our images of war can help others to understand the value of peace, perhaps our efforts were not in vain."
The work of the war/combat photographers and -cameramen is of great interest to me. I encourage everybody to visit this site and learn about the work of these men and women. In the future I hope to add an article about their work in WW2 to this site.
July 18, 2004
Tec4 Harley E. Harlow, engineer with the 1058th Engineer Construction and Repair Group, died on March 17, 1945. He was working on the Ludendorff Bridge, also known as The Bridge At Remagen, when it collapsed and killed 28 engineers.
July 17, 2004
Sgt John Charles Brittain, wireless operator on a Lancaster with 97 Sqn, was lost over the waddenzee on 18 January 1943. He is buried in Ulrum, Groningen. Also added Serjeant Jepson David Leonard of the Royal Army Service Corps. He was probably killed during the evacuation from Dunkirk. His body was recovered off the Groningen coast and buried in Ulrum.
July 16, 2004
Able Seaman Joseph Thomas Taylor was stationed on HMS Wakeful. This destroyer was torpedoed off the Belgian coast while it was evacuating British soldiers off the beaches of Dunkirk. Able seaman Taylor's body was recovered in Groningen and he rests at Ulrum General Cemetery.
July 11, 2004
Sgt William Gray, Sgt John William Hallam, Sgt Richard Mannering Knapman and FO Alexander Muir Harvey of 49 Sqn. They attacked Emden on 20 January 1942 and were shot down over Groningen. The whole crew is buried in Noorddijk.
July 6, 2004
Added the story that appeared in the Stars & Stripes in May, 2001 about four Belgians who found the remains of three soldiers of the 99th Infantry Division that were killed during the Battle of the Bulge. Story courtesy of Stars & Stripes. Click here for the story.
Updated Sgt Peter Frederick Inman's page. He was with 214 Sqn RAF and died on 3 July 1942. Thanks to Mr. Howard Martin for the information and the pictures.
July 5, 2004
THANK YOU, EDDIE HART is a moving documentary about a Dutch family that adopted the grave of Pvt. Eddie Hart, 83rd Infantry Division. It follows the life and wartime career of Eddie, told by his sister and his buddies of his platoon, up to his death on April 12, 1945 near the German town of Barby. The production team follows his footsteps across Europe and tell his story. What adds to this documentary are the accounts of an inhabitant of Barby at the time of Pvt. Hart's death and a German veteran who opposed the American 83th Infantry Division that day. The story is as well about the Vrancken family that take care of his grave at Margraten American Cemetery and the bond that has grown between the two families. A highly recommended documentary.
Pfc Sylvan van Aalten, 28th IR, 8th Infantry Division was killed on November 30, 1944 during the fighting in the Huertgen forest.
June 24, 2004
Pilot Officer Joseph Horace Addison from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He was with 103 Sqn and was lost on 26 June 1943 on a mission to Gelsenkirchen. He is buried in Amsterdam in an collective grave with Sergeant Leonard Bennett, air gunner with 100 Sqn, who died on the same raid.
June 22, 2004
Private John D. Aaron, from Oklahoma. He was with the 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division. He died on 27 November 1944 in the fighting for Merzenhausen, Germany.
June 21, 2004
Added Pilot Officer Sidney John Scott Wilde and Sgt James Dempsey of 115 Sqn. They died on 3 August 1940 and are buried in Delfzijl. They were crew members of P/O Pryor, who is buried in Uithuizen.
Wing Commander Kenneth Knocker, Flight Sergeant Ernest George Wilson, Sergeant John Underwood, all of 214 Sqn, died on 3 July 1942 and are buried in Westernieland. Also buried here is an unknown Airman, who died on the same date and Flt Wiseman, who flew Sterling bombers and went missing on 22 February 1944 on a mine laying mission.
June 19, 2004
Squadron Leader Robert Parsons of 115 Sqn. His Wellington was shot down during a daylight mission to the Dortmund-Ems canal. He and his wireless operator are buried in Amsterdam.
June 18, 2004
Pilot Officer Daniel Malofie, was a schoolmaster from Canada. He died as an air observer with 214 Squadron on 3 July 1942. Flight Sergeant Robert Hendry Ritchie, from Abderdeen was also part of his crew. They are buried in Westernieland.
June 17, 2004
T/Sgt Lewis Paul Ficken was a toggelier on a B17 with the 303rd Bomb Group. He was shot down on November 10, 1944 on a mission to Cologne.
Thanks to the 303rd Bomb Group Association for T/Sgt Lewis Ficken's crew picture.
Sgt Richard Fairhurst and Sgt Peter Frederick Inman, 214 Sqn RAF, died on 3 July 1942 and are buried in Westernieland.
June 15, 2004
Added Kornet Carel Everhard Graaf van Limburg Stirum. He was an Warrant Officer with 4th Regiment Hussars of the Dutch Cavalry. He was killed near Ede on 10 May 1940, the first day of the German assault on Holland. He is buried in Zutphen.
June 11, 2004
Added Sgt Tyreman's picture. He was with 9 Sqn and crashed near Oosterhout on 20 December 1942.
June 9, 2004
1Sgt Andrew Mac Donald, 561st Field Artillery Battalion, was killed on April 13, 1945 near Klötz, Germany. He was in the same jeep as Capt. Holliday when they were ambushed and killed. Also added New Zealander WO William Abbott, a Mustang pilot with 19 Sqn RAF. He was shot down during an armed reconnaissance mission and is buried in Zutphen.
June 7, 2004
Unknown Sergeant, buried at Uithuizermeeden. Also buried here is Master Alexander Pirie, master on the SS 'Joseph Swan'. He died 4 September 1940. Also buried here is PO Brian Richards, 7 sqn, who died on 30 June 1942.
June 6, 2004
Pilot Officer Ronald William Pryor of 115 Sqn. He died on 3 August 1940 off the Dutch coast and is buried in Uithuizen. His family had an private memorial dedicated to him after the war.
June 5, 2004
Lt. John Anthony Perkins from the Royal Scots Grays. He died on 29 September 1944 in Nederweert.
June 4, 2004
T/Sgt Edwin J. Frolick, from Moscow, Texas. T/Sgt Frolick was an Radio Operator on a B17 from the 303rd Bomb Group. His B17 was shot down near Hungen, Germany on a raid to Schweinfurt on February 24, 1944.
June 2, 2004
Captain Karl Owen Holliday. Battery Commander of HQ Battery, 561 Field Artillery Battalion. Capt. Holliday was killed on April 13, 1945 near Klötz, Germany. Thanks to Mr. Bob Holliday for his story and the picture.
June 1, 2004
Flying Officer Ian Nicoll Stirton was lost on the first operational mission of 429 Sqn RCAF, on 22 January 1943. Also added, Sgt Wilfred Turley from Canada. He was lost on 15 December 1941. Both men are buried at Usquert General Cemetery.
May 26, 2004
Szer. (sergeant) Jacek Strzyżewski of 304 (Polish) Squadron. Recipient of the Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari and the Polish Cross of Valour. He died on 10 January 1942.
Also added Sgt. Miroslav Jindra of 311 Czech Squadron (picture). Materials used with permission from Mr. Bart Rijnhout.
May 24, 2004
Updated Fl Sgt Leavers page. He was awarded the DFM for valour during operations, just three weeks before his death.
May 19, 2004
Added Sgt Jack Brown and PO Alfred V Brooks of the crew of WC James that perished on 21 June 1942 and are buried at Leens General Cemetery.
Also added Sepoy Ramchandra Shellar, from India. He died on 7 May 1945 and is buried in Nederweert. He was with 1 Bn, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry. However, his unit was not in NW Europe at the time.
May 18, 2004
Flight Sergeant Arthur Adair was the observer on WC James his crew that was lost on 21 June 1942. They rest at Leens General Cemetery. Also added Pilot Officer John Baxter, of the same crew.
Private Morris "Buster" Kingery, G Co, 41st Inf Regt, 2nd Armored Division was killed in action on November 27, 1944 in the fighting for Merzenhausen. Thanks to his daughter, Carla Sue Kingery Holcomb, for his story and picture.
May 17, 2004
Sgt Alexander Macpherson was with 83 Sqn RAF and was Killed In Action on 9 July 1941. He is buried in Winsum, Groningen. Thanks to Wim Bastiaanse for providing the pictures on this site of the Allied war graves in Groningen.
Fl Sgt Evered Leavers DFM, pilot of a Blenheim bomber of 21 Sqn, died on 16 June 1941 on an anti-shipping mission. He is buried at Den Andel Protestant Cemetery.
Updated Pfc Robert E. Morneweck's page. Thanks to Mr. Art Morneweck for the additional pictures and info.
Also added 25 year old Wing Commander Leslie Vidal James, commanding officer of 9 sqn. He died on 21 June 1942.
May 14, 2004
Added the Allied MIA's in The Netherlands page. This will be a listing of all Allied soldiers still missing in The Netherlands.
FO George G Towns, FO William King, Sgt Reginald H G Nevard, FO Edwin D Hodgson and FO Elmer J Rusenstrom, all of 190 Sqn died on 6 November 1944 and are buried in Enkhuizen General Cemetery. Also buried there are an unknown Airman and an unknown Sgt and FO Alan W Woolverton of 428 Sqn RCAF.
May 11, 2004
Flt. Arthur Whitten-Brown and Flt. Victor G. Brewis, pilot and navigator on a mosquito from 605 Sqn. They were lost on an intruder mission to Leeuwarden airfield on 6 June 1944. They rest at Hoorn General Cemetery.
Also buried at Hoorn are Sgt. Jack Ratcliffe and Sgt. David John Young of 115 Sqn. They died on 15 February 1944 after bombing Berlin.
May 10, 2004
Today Holland lost Sgt1 Dave Steensma (36) in Iraq. Sgt1 Steensma was with A coy, 12 Inf Bn, Air Assault Brigade. His patrol was attacked by Iraqis armed with handgrenades, which wounded two Dutch soldiers. Sgt1 Steensma died later in the evening. He will be buried with full military honours on Saturday, 15 May in his hometown of Franeker. Rest in Peace, Dave.
Added the MIA's Recovered page today. On this page I will list all stories of Allied MIA's recovered (and reburied) in The Netherlands. First person on this page is Sgt Major Evan Davies of the 3rd Monmouthshire Regt, whose remains were found near Broekhuizen and is to be reburied at Venray Military Cemetery on 9 June 2004.
May 7, 2004
Pilot Officer Ronald Kennedy, 192 (Special Duty) Squadron RAF and Wing Commander Oliver Godfrey added. They rest at Wierhuizen Protestant Cemetery, Groningen.
May 5, 2004
Opijnen honors crew Man-O-War
On may 4th 2004 the Dutch town of Opijnen honored the crew of B17 Man-O-War of the 91st Bomb Group, by naming 10 streets in a new development project after the ten members of the crew. Special guest was Mr. John Bruce, co-pilot of the ill fated crew that was shot down on their first mission on July 30, 1943. read more
Also added today, Sgt. Francis Donovan Ayerst, wireless operator/air gunner with 12 Sqn RAF and killed in action on 29 June 1943. He rests at Castricum Protestant Cemetery.
May 3, 2004
Sgt. John William Tyreman, of 9 Sqn RAF, was shot down on a mission to Duisburg. He is buried at Oosterhout Protestant Cemetery.
May 1, 2004
1Lt Victor L. Vogel, P-47 pilot with the 353rd Fighter Group, went missing after an Penetration Escort mission on January 11, 1944.
Thanks to Mr. Nelson Russell for providing the picture and information.
February 26, 2004
Able Seaman Harold Wayman added. He is one of two Royal Navy men buried at Amsterdam. Able Seaman Wayman was a RN gunner on the SS GREENLAND, which struck a mine on 6 December 1941 off the coast of Harwich.
The other Royal Navy casualty is Leading Airman Harry Burt, TAG on a Swordfish of 825 Sqn RN. He was shot down on 2 July 1940 while bombing Schiphol airfield.
Also added Pfc Robert E. Morneweck. He was with Co A, 506 PIR, 101st Airborne Division. Robert was wounded in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge and was KIA on 12 April 1945 in a night attack , while crossing the Rhine, south of Düsseldorf, Germany.
Thanks to Mr. Arthur Morneweck, Robert's brother, for providing the pictures and information.
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