Cycle Route Wings of Freedom: Crash Site Spitfire Mk XIV, RK895, Code 3W-E

In the 322 Squadron RAF there were mainly pilots of the Dutch Air Force who had gone/fled to the UK after the invasion of their homeland. During the battle of the Rhineland of February 8th 1945, the allied forces flew especially for the benefit of its ground combat-forces to support the attack on the ground and on behalf of reconnaissance. The Dutch squadron were brought into action on February 14. On this specific day the pilots started, at just an early hour as on the previous days, with a number of activities. One of those pilots was called Frans van Eijk who went on his second mission that day.

They were ordered to back up their own troops while they were advancing for Straelen (near Venlo). At around noon his (van Eijk’s) plane got hit by flak as a result of which the plane caught fire.
North of the crossroads of the Schwanenweg – Hülmer Deich at Niederhelsum the plane crashed and was completely burnt. The pilot was killed as a result. After having been buried for a first time at the Hees he was later buried again in his hometown of Gouda.

The crash took place at the coordinates: 51.628736, 6.160656.

In collaboration with the municipalities of Bergen, Gennep, Mook-Middelaar and Weeze, the initiative was created for cycling routes 'Wings of Freedom' along crash locations.
In the four municipalities, 28 crash sites have been definitively confirmed. Near each crash site is a memorial sign with information about the cause of the crash. Using the network of cycling nodes, there are four routes of approximately 30 - 40 km. deployed along these places.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Werkgroep Wings of Freedom
• Photos: Werkgroep Wings of Freedom (1), Peter Schipper (2, 3, 4, 5)
• Vliegtuigcrashroute Wings of Freedom