Memorial Short Stirling R9197

Monument to comemmorate the crash of Short Stirling Mk I R9197 BU-V of No. 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron. Seven crew members were killed in the crash, one died later of his wounds. The aircraft was shot down by Hauptmann Reinhold Knacke and his navigator Feldwebel Kurt Bundrock, flying from Gilze-Rijen, in their Messerschmitt Bf 110F-4 'G9+DK'. During the air battle, the Messerschmitt also was shot down in which Hauptmann Knacke was killed.

The text on the memorial is:

On 3 February 1943 at 8:04 PM at this spot Stirling Mark I R9197 BU-V crashed after an aerial combat with a German Messerschmitt Bf 110 night fighter.

All crewmembers were killed. They are buried in Commonwealth War Graves at the Rusthof cemetery in Leusden, plot XIII row 5, grave numbers 81 - 88. With this memorial we will remember them.

Denis Hedley Smith (22) UK pilot
Derek Gordon de Garis (20) UK co-pilot
Ronald Frank Evans (26) UK flight engineer
John Irven MacKenzie (26) CDN navigator
William McKenzie Murdoch CDN observer/bomb aimer
William Obediah Powell CDN wireless operator/airgunner
Daniel O'Neill (22) CDN dorsal gunner
Arley Henry Thiessen (23) CDN tail gunner

These heroes fought for our freedom and peace.

"In grateful remembrance"

HISTORISCHE KRING LEUSDEN
Memorial design: Mirjam Woltman

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Source

• Text: Arjan Vrieze / Wilco Vermeer
• Photos: Arjan Vrieze