Memorial Sign Crash Location Halifax Mk II ‘DT630 VR-T’ 419 RCAF Squadron

At 6:34 PM on 3 February 1943, the Halifax Mk II 'DT630 VR-T', 419 RCAF Squadron, took off from Royal Air Force Middleton St. George Air Base as part of a 263 attack wave to bomb Hamburg. Bad weather hindered the bombers and many had to abort the attack prematurely. On the way, the Halifax was attacked above Schoonoord at an altitude of 5300 meters by a German Messerschmitt Bf110G-4 night fighter of the 10./NJG 1 Nachtjagdgeschwader, with pilot Oberfeldwebel Karl-Heinz Scherfling on board. At 8.55 pm the Halifax crashed here in Odoornerveen. Four crew members were killed in this attack and three were taken prisoner of war. The fallen crew members are buried in the municipal cemetery in Sleen.

Crew:
Pilot P/O. J.D. Mackenzie J/16924 RCAF, KIA
Flight engineer Sgt. W.P. Duthie R/58766 RCAF, KIA
Navigator Sgt. W.N. Garnet R/97454 RCAF, POW
Bomb aimer Sgt. E.R. Marquand R/71416 RCAF, POW
Wo ag W/O II R.H. Hill R/79024 RCAF, KIA
Air gunner F/Sgt. A. Milton 1003107 RAF, POW
Air gunner W/O II L.A.J. Gonnett R/77325 RCAF, KIA

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Source

• Text: Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe, in samenwerking met en mogelijk gemaakt door de Historische Vereniging Carspel Oderen.
• Photos: Rob Wethly, SLO Drenthe
• Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe