Luchtoorlog NL 1944

02-01-1944 Lancaster MkIII JB280/LQ-K 405sq RCAF Oud-Schoonebeek NL
Crashed near Oud-Schoonebeek, NL  This “Pathfinder” Lancaster crashed near Oud-Schoonebeek, NL. It was flown by the Canadian 405 “Vancouver” Squadron and flew a night bombing mission with targets in Germany when it was shot down by a German Bf 110 Nightfighter at 02:10h. The Lancaster exploded on low level and sadly the whole crew died. They were buried at the cemetery at Schoonebeek. Below some pictures which I took at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, showing some parts found at the crash site and some pictures taken directly after the crash. (SLO Drenthe collection). Below also pictures of the graves of the crew at the cemetery in Schoonebeek, taken by me on May 5th, 2025. More information can be found on the SLO Drenthe website here and also on the SGLO website here: T3277.
10-02-1944 Bf 109 G-6/U4 20745/Weisse3 4./JG11 Luftwaffe Rühlertwist D
This Messerschmitt crashed at 11:10h near Rühlertwist, Germany after being shot down in a dogfight with American fighters escorting bombers to their target in Braunschweig. Uffz Rudolf “Rudi” Lennhoff was killed. The aircraft had taken off from its German home base of Wunstorf. Below some pictures which I took at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, showing some parts found at the crash site.(SLO Drrenthe collection). More information about this aircraft and crash can be found on the interesting SLO Drenthe website here.
10-02-1944 FW190 A-7 430165 3./JG11 Luftwaffe Weiteveent NL
This Focke Wulf Crashed near Weiteveen, North of Nieuw Schoonebeek. Around 12:45 this plane was part of a number of fighters that had taken off from Rheine to fight the returning American bombers towards England. This happened in the area above Meppen and Lingen. Fighting took place between the German and American escorting fighters, during which this Focke Wulf was shot down, among others. The German pilot jumped from the plane above the Ruhlerveld and did not survive the jump. The plane flew unmanned into the ground near Weiteveen. Residents in the area saw the plane crash into the peat at high speed, already burning. The plane made a deep crater that filled with water within minutes. The wreck was inaccessible. In 2015, several items were brought up to confirm the identity. Below a picture of the pilot which was presented at the interesting SGLO exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, On this picture the pilot flew the Bf 109 while later he transferred to the FW190..(SLO Drenthe collection). More information about this aircraft and crash can be found on the interesting SLO Drenthe website here  and on the wonderful SGLO webste here:
24-02-1944 P-47D 42-8636/CR-F 359FG/360FS USAAF Schöninghsdorf D
Crashed near Schöninghsdorf, Germany  It was shot down by a German BF 109 fighter. At 12:30 P-47D Thunderbolt 42-8636, nicknamed ‘Luzon’, punched a large hole in the 13-foot-thick swampy peat layer of the Ruhlermoor near Schöninghsdorf, and disappeared into it. A few years after the war the wreck was mostly recovered. Below some pictures which I took at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, showing the pilot sitting on his plane in the past, and some parts found at the crash site. More information can be found on the wonderful SLO Drenthe website here.
06-03-1944 B-17G 42-31135/??-? 388BG/562BS USAAF Oud-Schoonebeek D
This B-17 with nickname “Suzy Sag Tits” crashed along the Dommerskanaal between Oud-Schoonebeek and Erica, NL. It flew a daylight bombing mission with target Berlin when on its way back to the UK it was shot down by a German fighter and burst into flames. Except the heavily wounded Willard McGee, all other crew members managed to jump out of the aircraft in time. The died crew member was buried on the cemetery at Schoonebeek but after the war he was brought over to the large US cemetery at Margraten. Below a picture which I took at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, showing the tail-section at the crash site (by Ab.A. Jansen, SLO Drenthe Collection). More information can be found on the great SLO Drenthe page here and also on the SGLO website here: T3497.
06-03-1944 B-17G 42-31194/??-? 388BG/562BS USAAF Schöninghsdorf D
This B-17 with nickname “Duchess of Dixie” crashed near Schöninghsdorf at 15:00h. It flew a bombing mission to Berlin when on the way back reaching the Dutch border, the fleet of B-17s were attacked by FW-190 and Bf 109 fighters. Also this B-17G was hit and when the crew tried to bail out the aircraft exploded and crashed near the Dutch border near Schöninghsdorf. Below some pictures which I took at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, showing the burning wreckage at the crash site after it crashed (part of the SLO Drenthe Collection). More information can be found on the wonderful SLO Drenthe website here.
06-03-1944 B-17G 42-37886/??-U 388BG/562BS USAAF Zwartemeer NL
Crashed near Zwartemeer, NL  On the return from a mission to Berlin this B-17G with nickname “Blitzing Betsy” was severely damaged by attacks from several FW190s and BF109 fighters, causing it to collide with another 388th B-17, namely #42-40054, eventually crashing near the German-Dutch border at Zwartemeer. The pictures below were taken at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek, May 5rd, 2025 (Harry Prins) and show presented pictures taken of the aircraft’s name and crash location, and also some parts found there (SLO Drenthe Collection). More information about this incident can be found here.and also at the SGLO website here: T3498.
06-03-1944 B-17G 42-38177/??-? 388BG/562BS USAAF Neuringe D
Crashed near Zwartemeer, NL  On the return from a mission to Berlin this B-17G with nickname “Shack Rabbits” (radio call “U” was severely damaged by attacks from several FW190s  It burst into flames and crashed in a swamp at Neuringe, 14 miles N of Nordhorn, Germany. The pictures below were taken at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek, May 5rd, 2025 (Harry Prins) and show the recovery of the wreck in 1985. (SLO Drenthe collection). More information can be found on the SLO Drenthe website here.
06-03-1944 B-17G 42-40054/??-? 388BG/561BS USAAF Oud-Schoonebeek NL
Crashed near Oud-Schoonebeek, NL  This B-17 with nickname “Jinny” flew a daylight bombing mission with target Berlin when on its way back to the UK it was shot and damaged by a German fighter. Directly after that moment the aircraft collided with another B-17 (42-37886 “Blitzing Betsy”. This resulted in a completely destroyed starboard wing. All fueltanks were ripped open and the aircraft went into flames. Six of the 11 crew members succeeded in jumping out of the aircraft in time. One of them (radio man John Blatz) died later due to his encountered severe injuries, while in German prison. The killed crew members were buried on the cemetery at Schoonebeek but after the war they were brought over to the large US cemetery at Margraten.. Below some pictures which I took at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, showing the nickname on the aircraft and also a engine part found at the crash site. (part of the SLO Drenthe Collection). More information can be found on the nice SLO Drenthe website here and also on the SGLO website here: T3499.
08-03-1944 B-24J 42-99975/YO-D 389BG564BS USAAF Wartena NL
Crashlanded at Wartena-Eernewoude, NL When around Berlin (target) it was hit by Flak. Trying to find the way back home the aircraft, named “Yankee Rebel Harmony”, failed and the pilots had to make a decision over the Northern part of Holland. After a successful crash landing most of the crew were okay except 1 member. When trying to evade the surviving crew tried to reach Belgium. Robert Honson Owen was arrested in Belgium in June 1944. Added below his arrest manuscript and other belongings. (Exhibition Fries Museum, May 3rd, 2025, Harry Prins). . More information can be found on the SGLO website here: T3517.
22-03-1944 Lancaster MkII LL684/JI-B2 389BG564BS RAF Nr Zwartemeer NL
Crashed S of Zwartemeer (W of Kamerlingswijk), NL during an evening boming mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Likely due to issues with the aircraft the crew decided to cancel the mission and return back to the UK. Then near the Dutch border they were shot down by a JU-88 R2 Night fighter belonging to the 2./NJG 2 at 21:30h. Two of the sven crewmembers survived.  The pictures beneath were found on the interesting exhibition of the SGLO at Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025 and show the aircraft in earlier days at its airbase in the UK and a piece of the aircraft found at the crash site and a picture taken at the crash site crater. (SLO Drenthe collection). More information can be found on the nice SLO Drenthe website here and also on the SGLO website here: T3535.
08-04-1944 FW190 A-6 470046 2./JG26 Luftwaffe Twist D
This Focke Wulf Crashed a bit North of Twist, Germany. At 15:45h the FW190, while part of a more German fighters attacking American bombers, was shot down by a USAAF escorting P-47 fighter. The plane crashed in the peat area just North of the German village of Twist killing the pilot. Below a picture taken at the interesting SGLO exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, showing some parts found at the crash site..(SLO Drenthe collection). More information about this aircraft and crash can be found on the informative SLO Drenthe website here 
07-05-1944 B-17G 42-38161/FR-O 379BG/525BS USAAF Nijeholtwolde, near Nijelamer NL
Crashlanded near Nijeholtwolde, NL when around Berlin (target) it was hit by Flak. Trying to find the way back home the aircraft, named “Sara Jane”, sustained 2 engine failures and the pilots had to make a decision over the Northern part of Holland. After this B-17 made a successful emergency landing near the Frisian village of Nijholtwolde, one of the crew members gave this pilot’s jacket to a local resident (as can be seen in the picture below). He wore it for many years. (Exhibition Fries Museum, May 3rd, 2025, Harry Prins). More information can be found on the SGLO website here: T3651.
19-05-1944 Bf 109 G-6 163070 5./JG27 Luftwaffe Rühlertwist D
This Messerschmitt crashed mid-day near Rühlertwist, Germany after being shot down in a dogfight with American fighters escorting bombers to their various targets in Germany. Uffz Rolf Georg Löhmer was killed. The aircraft had taken off from Flugplatz Paderborn. (5 Staffel / II gruppe).  Below a picture which I took at the interesting SLO Drenthe exhibition in Schoonebeek on May 5th, 2025, showing one of the propellors found at the crash site.(SLO Drenthe collection). More information about this aircraft and crash can be found on the interesting SLO Drenthe website here.
22-05-1944 Lancaster MkI ME722/PM-E 103sq RAF Zwolle NL
This Lancaster was shot down by a Night fighter of Stab III./NJG 1 at 00:50h and crashed at Hasselterdijk, Zwollerkerspel 8 km N of Zwolle, NL. It happened during a night bombing mission to Duisburg, Germany when it encountered German night fighters. The wreck was salvaged in November 2003. The picture below were taken by me in May 2023 and show one of the fire-extinguishers of this aircraft found at the crash site and owned by Henk Nossen, Assen.  More information can be found on the SGLO website here: T3685.
25-05-1944 Halifax MkIII LV905/EY-W 78sq RAF Hank-Biesbosch NL
This Halifax, operating from Breighton, was on a night bombing mission when it was shot down at 01:23h and crashed in Oranjepolder near Hank (Biesbosch),NL, by a German Night fighter of 12./NJG1 based at Sint Truiden, Belgium. Sadly the whole crew died. The aircraft was salvaged in September/October 2005. The picture below were taken by me in May 2023 and show one of the bomb connection-release mechanisms of this aircraft found at the crash site and owned by Henk Nossen, Assen.  More information can be found on the SGLO website here: T3714.
11-07-1944 Mosquito B.XVI PF380/P3-? 692sq RAF Noordzee NL
Crashed into the North Sea, during a night mission to Berlin. It was shot down by a Heinkel He219 on its return from Berlin while Flying over Island Terschelling on 03:16h. Both pilots were listed as missing.This part of the wooden wing (see picture below at the Exhibition in the Fries Museum, May 3rd, 2025) was found on the coast of island Schiermonnikoog on August 16th and almost sure should belong to Mosquito PF380. (Exhibition Fries Museum, May 3rd, 2025). More information can be found here.
24-08-1944 B-17G 43-37903/FR-D 379BG/525BS USAAF Marrum, 15km N of Leeuwarden. NL
Crashed near Marrum, NL. During the bombing mission to Merseburg, Germany, this aircraft (nicknamed “Toodles Boy”) was hit by FLAK and lost contact with the formation. Due to fuel leakages the aircraft could not reach his home base anymore and the crew had to make an emergency landing. However the aircraft came flying low inland and crashed into the ground near Marrum. When the wreckage of the aircraft was investigated there was nobody found so it was expected that the crew had bailed out and drowned in the Sea. The pictures below were taken at the exhibition in the Fries Museum, May 3rd, 2025 and show a propeller and a part of a tire found at the crash site (collection Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation). More information can be found on a dedicated website about this crash here and can be found on the SGLO website here: T3944.
12-09-1944 ME-262 A2a 1300026/9K+AL 3./KG51 Luftwaffe Arnhem NL
This aircraft crashed near Elden at 14:30h, just NE of Eldens Viaduct (SW of Arnhem city). A German 75mm Flak battery mistakenly shot it down. The aircraft went down digging into a field near Elden.  Pilot Uffz. Herbert Schauder was killed. The aircraft was discovered and salvaged in October 2014. Lots of parts have been brought over to the Air Force museum at Deelen. On January 18th, 2020 I visited this museum and took the pictures seen below. The side view was created by me (using a ME-262 reference drawing by Eddie J. Creek) and shows how the aircraft shold have looked like during the crash in 1944 according the AK51 references and pictures. More information about this accident and salvaging it can be found here and also on the SGLO website here: T4019.
27-09-1944 Bf-109 G6 440570 5./JG77 Luftwaffe Doornenburg NL
This aircraft crashed near Doornenburg along De Pas. The aircraft came from Flugplatz Werl and the it was probably shot down by Allied fighter or AAA. It was not werknummer 440673! The picture below was taken by me at the Air Force museum at Deelen, NL, (18 January 2020) and shows the salvaged engine of this aircraft. More information about this accident can be found on the SGLO website here: T4419.
15-10-1944 Halifax Mk5 LL293/8A-P 298sq RAF Scharl, Ijsselmeer, S of Stavoren NL
Crashed near Scharl, NL at 02:00h in the night after it was hit by FLAK during their bombing mission. The entire crew, except for 1, survives the emergency landing that this Halifax made on the IJsselmeer near Scharl, South of Stavoren. The resistance helps the crew to go into hiding, and the pilots in turn help the resistance: they stay in Friesland and teach the resistance fighters how to handle various weapons. More information can be found on the SGLO website here: T4544.
24-11-1944 ME-110 G-4 441083/G9+OR 7./NJG1 Luftwaffe Rijperkerk NL
This aircraft crashed near Rijperkerk, NL, during a night fighter mission in which it was shot down by an RAF Mosquito. The photo below shows the deviation table that was filled in at Fliegerhorst Leeuwarden, just before departure of this Bf 110 night fighter. It was found at the crash site near Rijperkerk.(Exhibition Fries Museum, May 3rd, 2025). More information can be found on the SGLO website here: T3903.

Luchtoorlog boven Nederland :  1939  1940  1941  1942  1943  1944  1945  Unkown

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