My friend Barrie from Holland has contacted me to say that he has finally been given the go ahead to have a plaque placed to commemorate a 75 (NZ) Sqn crew. He needs to raise about Euro 1000 and hopes to have the unveiling on 22 July 2010 (and I am invited...along with both the Sqn Assnssmile)

Avro Lancaster B.I bomber (code name AA-Q, fuselage No. Hotel Kilo 569). of 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF, took off from RAF Mepal, Cambridgeshire, England, on its way to bomb the Fischer Tropsch oil refinery/aviation fuel producer in Homberg, Germany with a full load of bombs on the 21st of July 1944. It was attacked by a German night-fighter over Heibloem, Limburg, The Netherlands on its way to the target. It crashed into a river bank near Kessel after the pilot avoided a village called Reuver. The crew were as follows:

The crew of HK 569:
Pilot: No: 422057 Flt/Sgt Neil Douglas Davidson (21) RNZAF of Porangahau, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Flight Engineer: No: 994220 Sgt. Robert Gerald Sloman (24) RAFVR of Snodland, Kent, England
Navigator: No: 1323147 Sgt. Arthur Ernest John Goddard (22) RAFVR of North End, Portsmouth, England
Wireless Operator: Air Gunner: No: 1501099 Sgt Douglas Corris (25) RAFVR of n/k England
Mid-Upper Gunner: No :1896528 Sgt. Raymond Stanley Lang (32) RAFVR of Streatham, London, England
Air Bomber: No: 1459875 Sgt T.G. Little (25) RAF(?) of n/k
Tail Gunner: No: 928092 Flt/Sgt Henry John Hiscox (35) RAFVR of Newport, Wales

Sgt Little and FS Hiscox survived the crash however FS Hiscox died on the river bank and is buried in the village of Beesel where his grave has been tended since then by a lady called Tiny Claessen (of whom there is another thread). Sgt Little became a POW and survived the war.

I put more on when I know more information. Bless Barry (hes ex Army Air Corp) for keeping on at Kessel Council though till they gave him the necessary permissions... smile.gif