Leeuwarden / The Netherlands, 15th July 2010
Re: Request for help
Dear Editor,
Since the early seventies our research group, “Friesche Luchtvaart Documentatie 1939-1945” has taken an interest in the history of the air war over the Northern part of the Netherlands during World War II. In co-operation with the “Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation” and the local “Resistance Museum” we aim to gather as much information as possible about the aircraft-crashes and their aftermath, in order to make a historically correct reconstruction of the events. Over the years, our research brought us in contact with many former airmen, pilot-helpers and other researchers all over the world. In some cases we have been able to clear up the fate of pilots who were reported missing in action. On a few occasions we also succeeded in returning recovered personal items from the flyers to their families.
In the evening of 29th March 1943 Wellington BJ762 of No. 426 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force took off from Dishfort to bomb the German town of Bochum. Later that night the bomber was intercepted by a German nightf ighter flown by Helmut Lent. The aircraft was shot down and eventually crashed near Sondel, a small village about 5 miles East of the town of Stavoren. Three men were killed and two managed to bail out. They were taken prisoner by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in a POW (prisoner of war) camp. James Taylor from Spring View was one of the men who successfully left the stricken bomber.
Since the spring the "Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation" organizes, in co-operation with the local museum at the village of Oudemirdum, an exhibition about the air war over the community of Gaasterland / The Netherlands. The crewmembers of Wellington BJ762 are among the ones who are commemorated. We recently received a question about 1128679 James Taylor, Royal Air Force. Mr. Taylor was born 22nd April 1921and the last known address 9, Harrow Place, Spring View near Wigan, Lancashire. As we do not know much about Mr. Taylor, we will appreciate your assistance tracing his relatives.
We look forward to your reply.
Kind regards,
Douwe S. Drijver
Medewerker Verzetsmuseum Friesland
E-mail: d.drijver@friesmuseum.nl
Phone: + 31 – 58 – 2555518 (office)
+ 31 – 58 – 2661478 (private)
Website: www.luchtoorlogfriesland.nl
There is a link death cannot sever – love and remembrance last for ever
