A little late with this one - it's only just been reported in 'FlyPast' magazine - but a memorial has been unveiled at Den Ham in the Netherlands, dedicated to Flt. Lt. Les Knight, DSO who died in the meadow behind the memorial. He was still at the controls of Lancaster III, JB144, severely damaged on the disastrous Dortmund-Ems Canal raid of September 16th, 1943. Les remained at the controls to gain height, thus allowing his entire crew ( who breached the Eder Dam the previous May ), to bale out. As the crippled aircraft dived toward Den Ham, eyewitnesses saw the nose lift to miss the houses before the aircraft plunged into the ground. All from Les Knight's crew survived the war. One, Ray Grayston, is still living and can still be moved to tears at the memory of what his 'Skipper' did for his crew. Les Knight was the antithesis of the 'Australian Pilot', a quiet, non-drinking, self-effacing man who was, as Ray Grayston says, ' a Tiger behind the controls of a Lancaster'. I rarely use the word 'hero' but make no apology in this case. All with an interest in Bomber Command will appreciate the respect shown by the Dutch people to Les Knight.
Thanks forthis, Martin. I planned to go to that general area anyway some time in the future as there is also a monument erected, dedicated to the crew of a B24, shot down on January 11, 1944. I haven't been able to find anything on the unveiling of Les Knight's monument in the Dutch press, both on and off line....
well better late than never. Thanks for the tip Martin, next time I go there I will have a look at the memorial
