The almost complete remains of Lancaster JB-659, 'OF:J-Johnnie' from 97 Squadron, Bourn, Cambs have been excavated near Amsterdam and have been brought to Wickenby Museum in Lincolnshire for display as a memorial.
Two of the crew were buried in 1944, the remainder were found with the wreckage and their remains have been reunited with those of their comrades.Tragically, the falling bomber hit a farmhouse, killing the Dutch farmer, his wife and four of their children.
The wreckage filled thirty large crates : the total cost of excavating, packing and flying it to the the UK was in the region of £120,000. The entire operation was paid for for by the Royal Netherlands Air Force and thereby the people of Holland.
http://www.a1.nl/nfla/JB659.html
( If your Dutch is a little 'rusty', click on the Wickenby link at the bottom )
'J-Johnnie' was on the way back from Berlin on the night of 30th January, 1944 and fell to the guns of a night-fighter.
Does anyone have any idea which one ?
[ 02. March 2003, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: Martin Bull ]