Dutch town honoured for maintaining RAF bomber crew graves

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

Winterswijk in Holland has maintained the graves of five RAF airmen for over 80 years after their bomber was shot down in 1943.

Wellington bomber HE440 took off from Burn Airfield near Selby on 12 May 1943 at 11.40pm as part of a raid on the German city of Duisburg. The aircraft, flown by 431 Squadron Canadian Royal Air Force, was attacked by a German fighter on its return flight and shot down over Holland a few kilometres from the Dutch town of Winterswijk. All five crew members were killed.

The airmen were buried in Winterswijk's main cemetery, where they remain today. The people of the town have carefully maintained their graves along with those of 41 other British airmen for more than 80 years. They turn out in large numbers twice a year to commemorate the deaths.

Much of the ongoing care is due to Peter Rhebergen, aged 77, who worked as a town hall official for more than 40 years and has devoted himself to maintaining records of the crash and other wartime aircraft. Burn Parish Council has now written formally to the Mayor of Winterswijk to thank the townspeople for their 'utter respect' in keeping alive the memory of the fallen.

How it is being reported

• Second World War bomber flight from North Yorkshire village honoured in Dutch townBurn Parish Council thanks Winterswijk for tending five RAF airmen’s graves after Wellington HE440 was shot down over Holland during the 1943 Duisburg raid.The Press (York) · 27 Oct, 12:30
• Second World War bomber flight from North Yorkshire village honoured in Dutch townBurn Parish Council thanks Winterswijk for tending five RAF airmen’s graves after Wellington HE440 was shot down over Holland during the 1943 Duisburg raid.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 27 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Burn · Winterswijk · North Yorkshire · Holland · 431 Squadron Canadian Royal Air Force · Duisburg · Peter Rhebergen · Burn Parish Council

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