Crash Site Lockheed Ventura MK I AE780

On 3 May 1943, a Lockheed Ventura bomber belonging to the RNZAF crashed at this exact location, completely destroying three houses. The Ventura AE780 had taken off from RAF Methwold together with 11 other aircraft from 487 Squadron. The objective was a low-altitude attack on the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam.

The aircraft were intercepted by German fighters off the Dutch coast, and the bombers and their escorting fighters became separated. The attack ended in disaster, with 10 of the 12 aircraft crashing or exploding in the air. Twenty-eight crew members were killed, while 12 managed to parachute to safety and were taken prisoner.

The AE780 was shot down by Focke Wolff 190A of Hauptmann D. Wickop of Stab II/JG 1 from Woensdrecht airfield. Seven civilians were killed. Three crew members of the Venture were killed and buried at the Nieuwe Ooster Cemetery. One crew member managed to save himself with his parachute.

The crew consisted of:
Pilot: Flying Officer Stuart McGowan RNZAF NZ/414996 [killed]
Navigator: Flying Officer Ernest Garfield Thornber RCAF J/13792 [killed in action]
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner: Sergeant Cyril Richard Smith RNZAF NZ/415563 [killed in action]
Air Gunner: Sergeant Ivan Francis Urlich RNZAF NZ/41221 [Prisoner of war]

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