Memorial Handley Page Halifax MZ575 Geel

Memorial Handley Page Halifax MZ575 Geel #3

In the night of May 12-13, 1944, the Handley Page Halifax MZ575 crashed nearby. Five crew members were killed, 1 was captured and 1 was able to stay out of the hands of the occupier thanks to the resistance.

Text monument:
We write 12/13 May 1944, the Allies are busy preparing for D-Day. The Royal Air Force had a very important role in this preparation. Their task was to destroy important railway junctions and roads so that the Germans could not send reinforcements to Normandy.

Also in the night of 12/13 May 1944. The crew of the Hanlifax MZ575 of the 76 Squadron took part in the nighttime mission to destroy the railway junction in Hasselt.

Taken off from their Home-on-Spalding-Moor base at 10:25 PM. Everything went perfectly for the crew of the Halifax. The bombs were dropped and pilot F/O Newcombe instructed his experienced navigator to plan a route home.

At around 00.30 hours, disaster struck, a German night fighter had found the bomber. oblt. Tober's attack was immediate.
The bomber crashed in flames around 00:37 in the field near this monument.
Two crew members were able to leave the aircraft just in time before the other five were too late.
These guys gave their lives for our freedom.

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