Fliegerhorst Gilze-Rijen. Archaeology & Research.

Found some weeks ago the handle of a German razor in bakelite.
Near the East landingstrip where some hangers where build in 1944.

 

Another nice item! The bakelite is very nice, it almost looks like marber

 

.303 airplane ammunition found west of Rijen.

 

Reported or taken away? I always wait until I have a bunch and then report to the police, no need for ammo at home

 

I suppose you took this nice picture as a souvenir before you got rid of it .

 

Indeed, small caliber ammo like this I just put back were I found it...
The bigger stuff I report.
Exept for when I'm looking in Germany... there not so pleased with it.

 

Yep can understand that, as said before never have been to reichswald, but will go there soon I hope

 

I know some locations over there... maybe go together?

 

Made some pictures today of FLAK ammunition bunkers north of Molenschot.
West from the airbase.

Here a few of them.

 

Yep No problem, would like to go

 

Lancaster crashsite near the Chaamseweg, crater is still visible.
More information regarding this crash comming soon.

 

~ dubbelpost ~

 

The Fliegerhorst today 06.00 pm.

 

bingo Nick! If you wait until the water goes away with warmer weather you may find some nice parts near that crater! Do you know any details about this crash?

 

I do.

The Lancaster JN-D, serialnumber ND802 started off in Mepal near Ely in Cambridgeshire with 27 other planes from the 75 RNZAF Sqdn.
With the target railroad points near Aachen (Germany).
In the first wave above Gilze-Rijen about 2.30 am the Lancaster was shot down by a German Nachtjagd plane and fell to the ground (burning) some kilometre from the German "Lager Chaam" in Prinsenbosch (Chaamse Bossen).
Killing three man of the crew: Pilot Francis Scott, W/op. Ron Howson, Bomb/A Steve Cook.
The rest of the crew was taking prisoner. 2 of the crewmembers stayed a long time away from German captivity. F/Eng. Max Harris was taken prisoner half July somewhere in Belgium.

Picture of the crewmembers in April/May 1944. Except the 2nd Pilot Clark.
In the first row from left to right:
Pilot Francis Scott (KIA), W/op. Ron Howson (KIA), R/gunner Reg Dale.
Back row from left to right:
Bomb/A Steve Cook (KIA), F/Eng. Max Harris, m/u Gunner Alan Mantle, Nav. "Red" Hill.


Picture taking on 30 May 1944, showing the tail section with 2 machineguns.


The escape map with some foreign money, found in the dirt near the crashsite on 28 May 1944.



The machinegun from the tailsection, The Germans searched for the weapon in the farmhouses in the neighbourhood but with no luck...


This all with many thanks to P. van Opstal and the book Vijf jaar Luchtfront door W. van den Hout.

 

Nice ! The bills are in fairly good condition, considering they survived a crash! I have a few identical bills too. I will post them (in colour) , still have to scan them. Interesting that one guy made part of his captivity in Belgium, that didn't happen evey day.

 

Nice pictures, i will follow your findings.
keep up the good work!

 

Hey!!!
i finally caught up with all the pics and stuff posted here, great stuff guys!! keep 'em coming!

thanks!!

 

What do you guys find of this?
Last sunday I visit the former Funkstelle Bisam near Strijbeek with a friend of mine, in the region of Gilze-Rijen. Here we found some remains of a Würzberg radarstelle, totally overgrown. After removing the bushes and dirt you could clearly see the remains of the German radar, and we both known there still were some markings visible on some of the bricks, and we found it! You can hardly read the following text on te side: NACHTABSCHUSS HALIFAX (blue/red circle from a Brittish airplane logo) and like this 4 on a row. Also with the markings: NACHTABSCHUSS WELLINGTON.

Very impressive to see.
I am soon making an article of it. So this subject will be updated.

 

Absolutely awesome. I can't believe you still read this after over 60 years!
I read many more kills on this stone. I see at least three or for Halifaxes ,they were probably more below but the stone is broken.