Milsurp After Hours

There are about 5-6000 WWII crash sites of German and allied aircraft in the Netherlands.
As long as these crashed planes don’t interfere with for instance building new houses we just leave them in the ground.
When they start building houses near the crash site the wreck is salvaged.
Last Monday the Dutch Army and Air Force started recovering a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 G.
The aircraft crashed on January 30th 1944 at 13.30 hours near the city of Apeldoorn (about 20 miles north of Arnhem).
There was not much left of the aircraft.
Next to the debris like the engine, propeller, machine gun they found human remains and the so called “Erkennungsmarke”.
That’s German for Dogtag.
When they have identified the German pilot they will bring him back to Germany where he will be buried.
German enemy or not....he was a soldier and has a right to be buried in his homeland.
When possible the family will be informed.


Picture of a Messerschmitt Bf 109


Crash Site


....what is left of the propellers

I will update this post when there are new developements.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Thanks Martin.

By the way, have you seen the site covering the work at Fromelles?
http://www.cwgc.org/fromelles/?page=eng ... ews100909c

Thanks for the report Martin, i would be interested in updates on the pilot and aircraft identities.

Joe

WOW....that's a fantastic job they are doing there in Fromelles Duncan and by God....these men deserve it.
It's good to see that even after so many years they are not forgotten.


@Joe.
I'll keep you posted.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Dutch Mosin wrote:WOW....that's a fantastic job they are doing there in Fromelles Duncan and by God....these men deserve it.
It's good to see that even after so many years they are not forgotten.

Have a quick look here Martin, http://www.twgpp.org/ you'll find me halfway down the contact page! Not a pretty sight I grant you!!

Thanks for the links Duncan, and great work with the TWGPP.

As a matter of interest i will be visiting Dozinghem military cemetary near Poperinghe next month to attend the grave of a Spennymoor man who fell in the Great War. I originally visited a few years ago to take photos and lay flowers for his grand daughter.

Joe

joseyclosey wrote:Thanks for the links Duncan, and great work with the TWGPP.

As a matter of interest i will be visiting Dozinghem military cemetary near Poperinghe next month to attend the grave of a Spennymoor man who fell in the Great War. I originally visited a few years ago to take photos and lay flowers for his grand daughter.

Joe

I just ran a check, looks like we have them all on the site. I must say that I have visited a large number of CWG cemeteries in France, Belgium and Italy and I am never ceased to be amazed at the superb quality of the upkeep of them. The one at Salerno is like walking on a palace lawn. I have found myself on a number of occasions with my hand on a headstone saying 'Thanks mate' quietly.

I agree with Joe.
The TWGPP is a fantastic organisation and I think you and your colleague volunteers are doing a great job.

Oh and BTW....I found your picture.
It's not so bad.
I've seen worse.........


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin