The crash

CRASH LANCASTER ED821

Probably shot above Bolsward and crashed at the east side of Witmarsum. (Picture from 1943 www.topotijdreis.nl)

Lancaster ED 821 took off from Grimsby on the 27^th May 1943 at 22.32 hours for an operation to Essen / Germany. Over the Northern part of The Netherlands the aircraft was intercepted by a German night-fighter flown by Oberleutnant Rudolph Sigmund. After a short aerial combat the Lancaster bursted into flames and crashed near the village of Witmarsum. Three crew members succeeded in bailing out, but only Bolderson was a survivor. Bishop, Chapman, Fitchett, Cosgrove and Short short were killed and found their last resting-place on the local cemetery. The pilot, Leonard Arthur Townrow was seriously injuired and was taken to the Bonifatiushospitaal in Leeuwarden. He died almost a year later and was buried at the Noorderbegraafplaats. Bolderson survived the crash and was taken to a prisoner of war camp. After the war he returned to England.