February 23, 2016 at 10:28 am
Hi all
I researched this aircraft some years ago including the crew but wonder if anyone could assist in finding out a little more please.
The aircraft was part of the aerial armada to resupply the beleaguered allied ground forces on Sept 21st 1944, when it was hit by an aluminium supply container released form a higher flying aircraft. This detached one of the wings from the aircraft and it subsequently crashed I believe at Driel, I have also been advised it was on the south bank of the Rhine close to the Driel Ferry.
I would be grateful if anyone could give more precise details of the accident site and/or photographs etc, any info much appreciated.
By: GliderSpit - 10th January 2017 at 13:20
Me too.
By: QuePee - 9th January 2017 at 22:15
Keith 231160
PM sent.
QP
By: Keith231160 - 9th January 2017 at 11:55
Hello
I am a distant relative of Lt Herbert Arthur Edwards who was on board the aircraft.
I am aware of the downing circumstances (familiy originally told it was shot down) and have obtained burial records and pics of
the Oosterbeek cemetery etc.
Any more info would be greatly received.
kind regards,
Keith Holdroyd
By: Lion Rock - 24th February 2016 at 07:16
Eric & GliderSpit – many thanks, most helpful!!
By: GliderSpit - 23rd February 2016 at 15:47
There’s more information to be found in the book ‘Green On’ by Arie-Jan van Hees. Pages 218-220, ISBN 90-806808-2-6.
By: ericmunk - 23rd February 2016 at 10:49
From the very reliable SGLO database:
http://verliesregister.studiegroepluchtoorlog.nl/item2.php?PN=KG417
And a September 12th, 1944 aerial view here: http://www.geldersarchief.nl/zoeken/?mistart=0&mivast=37&mizig=284&miadt=37&milang=nl&misort=last_mod|desc&miview=gal1&mizk_alle=Driel&mibj=1943&miej=1945
Bottom left corner the old brick works at Driel, then moving diagonally to the RH top of the picture there is the Janssen homestead called “Zeldenrust”, the light square would seem to be the football pitch mentioned in several reports. High centre of the photo is the ferry crossing. The works, homestead and football pitch all were demolished in the 1960s to make way for a pass-by channel for the locks installed at the time. There is a good chance the crash site could either have been where the current canal is, or might just still be on the current canal bank (southern bank the the Rhine).
The database in the above link also holds a considerable number of aerial photos taken early 1945.