Memorial 'Attack on Waalhaven'

This plaque commemorates the attack by No. 600 Squadron on Waalhaven airfield on May 10, 1940. Seven British airmen were killed in this attack. They are buried in cemeteries in Rotterdam, Spijkenisse and Piershil.

The plaque was unveiled on May 3, 2016 by Honoraray Air Commodore Viscount Lord Trenchard.

The text on the plaque reads:

THE WEEKEND FLYERS
The slow Blenheims are no match for the German Messerschmitt Bf 110, although the British fought bravely according to their German opponents. Seven of the crews of the Blenheims were killed, one is taken prisoner and three manage to return to England via Hook of Holland. Two were able to reach Manston with their badly damaged plane. The weekend flyers pay a high price.

The Blenheim BQ-R of Squadron Leader James 'Jimmy' Wells crashed on the Welplaat near Spijkenisse. Wells and gunner Corporal Basil Kidd werekilled, navigator Sergeant John Davis survived the crash and returned to England via Hoek van Holland. Jimmy Wells and Basil Kidd were interred at Crooswijk cemetery.

The Blenheim BQ-L with Pilot Officer Mike Anderson and Leading Aircraftman Herbert Hawkins crashed southeast of the Spijkenisserbrug in Hoogvliet. Both men
were killed. Their last resting place is the Spijkenisse cemetery.

Blenheim BK-K crashed at the Oude Piershilweg in Piershil. Pilot Hugh Rowe survived with severe burns and was captured on May 15, 1940, Gunner Pilot Officer Robert Echlin from Canada was also killed. He rests in the cemetery near the church in Piershil.

Blenheim BQ-W crashed near Waalhaven airfield, where Flying Officer Roger Moore and Corporal Laurence Isaacs were killed, both are buried on Crooswijk cemetery.

Blenheim BQ-N successfully landed at Herkingen. The two crew members Flying Officer Richard Haine and Pilot Officer Markus Kramer managed to return to England via Hoek van Holland.

Blenheim BQ-O was the only aircraft that returned to England. Flying Officer
Norman Hayes and his gunman Corporal Holmes survived the ordeal.

Roger Moore, Laury Isaacs, Mike Anderson and Herbert Hawkins were only identified on April 24, 1981, after extensive study by Hans Onderwater, after which the relatives were informed about their resting places.

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Source

• Text: Dick de Bruijne & Pieter Schlebaum
• Photos: Dick de Bruijne (1,2,3,4) & Kees Stoutjesdijk (5)