Date: 1941 Nov 08/09 A/C Type: Hampden I SN: P1206 Code: EA-K A/C Nickname:
 File: 58 Airforce: RAF Sqn/Unit:  49 Sqn Mission/Raid: Bocholt
1 Pilot W/O Christopher A. Saunders 9    
2 CP/Obs Sgt. James M. D'Arcy 10    
3 Fl Eng/AG Sgt. Stanley G. Mullenger 11    
4 WO/AG Sgt. John E. Kehoe 12    
5 WO/AG   13    
6 Rear gunner   14    
7     15    
8     16                    

Dove deep in the ground on farmland in Berkhout (Hoorn) after being attacked by a nightfighter.

 

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Saunders and D'Arcy were recovered by the Germans and buried in Bergen (aan Zee), last two airmen on row 1 (grave 27 and 28).  

The aircraft wreck in the ground (with Mullenger and Kehoe still in it) was almost forgotten, but the farmer had put a cross on the location. To prevent that cows would push it over, the cross was build in/made part of the fence, making it not very well visible, but it was there. It had the names of Mullenger and Kehoe on it. Officially Mullenger and Kehoe were MIA. It was thought in the UK that the aircraft had crashed into Lake IJsselmeer (Old Zuyder Sea).

Please read all about this aircraft, crew and the recent recovery with photos on underneath website (most is in English):

After the recovery, Mullenger and Kehoe were buried back to back with Saunders and D'Arcy. Their graves now form a 4-grave square at the end of row 1E.



Sources: 

- http://members.quicknet.nl/ericmolenaar/english.html 


- http://members.quicknet.nl/ericmolenaar/091107e.html 
 
- http://members.quicknet.nl/ericmolenaar/archief.html 
 
- site CWGC

- Our file on Bergen (aan Zee) war graves:  http://www.zzairwar.nl/dossiers/911.html





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