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COMMEMORATION OF WORLD WAR II GIERLE 2024
On 12/05/2024, according to annual tradition, I was present at the 15th edition of the Commemoration of World War II in Gierle. This year the theme was 80 years of Liberation. It was once again a wonderful edition of the commemoration and this in the presence of many family members of the crew of a Halifax that crashed in Gierle.
As a resistance fighter at a young age, Boni Mellaerts saved several crew members of planes that crashed in the region from the hands of the Germans.
Boni, who will soon be able to blow out 97 candles, was fortunately able to attend this year and was honored for his heroic actions.
Family members of 6 of the 7 crew members of the Halifax that crashed in the vicinity of the Lilse Baan at Gierle on September 11th 1944 attended the commemoration.
It was the pilot Douglas L. Wood who was saved by Boni.
Crashes in Gierle
Four aircraft crashed in Gierle itself, three in 1944 and one in 1945:
09/05/1944 - Gierle, Hemeldonk
Consolidated B-24 Liberator 42-52584
8 USAAF - 466 Bomb Group - 787 Bomb Squadron
11/09/1944 - Gierle, Lilse baan
Handley-Page Halifax III - LL584
Royal Air Force - 578 Squadron
18/09/1944 - Gierle, Achterraaf
Consolidated B-24 Liberator 42-50673
8 USAAF - 392 Bomb Group - 579 Bomb Squadron
13/04/1945 - Gierle Vosselaarse weg
North-American P-51K - 44-12093
9 USAF - 370 Fighter Group - 402 Fighter Squadron
Handley-Page Halifax LL584
On September 11th 1944, Royal Air Force bombers flew to Gelsenkirchen to bomb a synthetic oil factory. It was a flight that was exceptionally flown during the day. By definition, the Royal Air Force bombers only bombed at night and the Americans during the day.
On the way home from the target, the Halifax LL584 of No. 578 Squadron was hit in the left wing by Flak (anti-aircraft). The crippled bomber lost a part of its left wing and remained in the air on only two engines. Constantly losing altitude, Wood ordered his crew members to abandon the aircraft in the vicinity of Gierle. He continued to pilot the Halifax so that it would not cause any casualties on the ground in the crash.
Then it was his turn to leave the plane.
He had jumped so low from the plane that his parachute could not open completely. Luckily the parachute got stuck in the branches of a tree. Wood hung wounded in his harness just above the ground. It was Boni Mellaerts who was able to free Wood from his predicament.
Boni brought him to safety with people from the resistance.
Six crew members thus found refuge within several resistance groups, with the exception of Archer who was taken prisoner of war after landing with his parachute right next to a truck with German soldiers.
Crewmembers of the Halifax
Pilot: D.L. Wood
Flight Engineer: E.O. Williams
Navigator: S.T. Sloane
Bomb Aimer: R.G. Dickerson
Wireless Operator: G.J. Woodgate
Gunner: J.W. Archer
Gunner: D. Cooper
It is always a great honor and an immense pleasure to get to know all these people over the years and to meet new people. Congratulations to the organization and to everyone who contributed to this.
Thank you and see you next year!
(Text & Photos: Jef Pets)
Click on the photo below of Boni Mellaerts for the visual report of this commemoration.
Click here foto the overview over the years of the commemorations at Gierle
On 12/05/2024, according to annual tradition, I was present at the 15th edition of the Commemoration of World War II in Gierle. This year the theme was 80 years of Liberation. It was once again a wonderful edition of the commemoration and this in the presence of many family members of the crew of a Halifax that crashed in Gierle.
As a resistance fighter at a young age, Boni Mellaerts saved several crew members of planes that crashed in the region from the hands of the Germans.
Boni, who will soon be able to blow out 97 candles, was fortunately able to attend this year and was honored for his heroic actions.
Family members of 6 of the 7 crew members of the Halifax that crashed in the vicinity of the Lilse Baan at Gierle on September 11th 1944 attended the commemoration.
It was the pilot Douglas L. Wood who was saved by Boni.
Crashes in Gierle
Four aircraft crashed in Gierle itself, three in 1944 and one in 1945:
09/05/1944 - Gierle, Hemeldonk
Consolidated B-24 Liberator 42-52584
8 USAAF - 466 Bomb Group - 787 Bomb Squadron
11/09/1944 - Gierle, Lilse baan
Handley-Page Halifax III - LL584
Royal Air Force - 578 Squadron
18/09/1944 - Gierle, Achterraaf
Consolidated B-24 Liberator 42-50673
8 USAAF - 392 Bomb Group - 579 Bomb Squadron
13/04/1945 - Gierle Vosselaarse weg
North-American P-51K - 44-12093
9 USAF - 370 Fighter Group - 402 Fighter Squadron
Handley-Page Halifax LL584
On September 11th 1944, Royal Air Force bombers flew to Gelsenkirchen to bomb a synthetic oil factory. It was a flight that was exceptionally flown during the day. By definition, the Royal Air Force bombers only bombed at night and the Americans during the day.
On the way home from the target, the Halifax LL584 of No. 578 Squadron was hit in the left wing by Flak (anti-aircraft). The crippled bomber lost a part of its left wing and remained in the air on only two engines. Constantly losing altitude, Wood ordered his crew members to abandon the aircraft in the vicinity of Gierle. He continued to pilot the Halifax so that it would not cause any casualties on the ground in the crash.
Then it was his turn to leave the plane.
He had jumped so low from the plane that his parachute could not open completely. Luckily the parachute got stuck in the branches of a tree. Wood hung wounded in his harness just above the ground. It was Boni Mellaerts who was able to free Wood from his predicament.
Boni brought him to safety with people from the resistance.
Six crew members thus found refuge within several resistance groups, with the exception of Archer who was taken prisoner of war after landing with his parachute right next to a truck with German soldiers.
Crewmembers of the Halifax
Pilot: D.L. Wood
Flight Engineer: E.O. Williams
Navigator: S.T. Sloane
Bomb Aimer: R.G. Dickerson
Wireless Operator: G.J. Woodgate
Gunner: J.W. Archer
Gunner: D. Cooper
It is always a great honor and an immense pleasure to get to know all these people over the years and to meet new people. Congratulations to the organization and to everyone who contributed to this.
Thank you and see you next year!
(Text & Photos: Jef Pets)
Click on the photo below of Boni Mellaerts for the visual report of this commemoration.
Click here foto the overview over the years of the commemorations at Gierle
