Eyewitness account - B-17's
Jim Hennessey got this from one of his friends and shared it with me.
Eyewitness account
My parents lived in the small village of Midwoud during World War II.
On the 20th of January 1945, during a snowstorm, they heard the sound of a
Plane coming over. Now, for people in occupied Holland this was nothing new,
As American and English planes were flying over from England to bomb targets
In Germany every day and night, but during the five years of German
Occupation they got to know the sound of those planes and also if they were in
Trouble or not just by the sound of the engines.
On that day a plane broke through the clouds and it sounded like it was in
Trouble. It barely missed the farm where my parents were living at the time. My
Mom, who was seven months pregnant with my eldest brother, rushed out to
See what was going on and saw a plane crash into a field opposite of the farm.
My dad, making sure my mom went back into the house as he didn’t want her to
Be upset in her condition, rushed to the crash site along with some of the
Neighbors. For as long as I can remember, our parents have always told us
About the American B17 that crashed just opposite their home and about the
Brave airmen that lost their lives. They also told us that one of them was blown
Out of the plane and was attendant to by our local doctor and was helped by
The underground in order to get him to safety. On the 4th may - in Holland the
Day when we remember al those who lost their lives during WWII - we always
Went to the memorial - a propeller of the B17 - and placed a bouquet of field
Flowers to honor the young men that fought to free us from the Germans and
Gave their lives so that we may live in freedom now.
Lately I’ve searched the Internet to find more information about that B17 that
Crashed in Midwoud, it’s crew, where it’s base was in England, which
Bombergroup it belonged to in the USAAF etc. It does me the world of good to
Read that Mr. Belton made it back States side safely, married his wife Virginia
And had a family. I don’t know if he is alive today, but if he is would you
please
Send him my warmest regards and tell him my story on behalf of my parents?
Will you please tell the veterans that somewhere in the north of Holland during
WWII there once was a young girl that looked up at the sky and saw all those
Vapor trails and prayed: please God, let them come home safely… Will you
Please tell them that we are still thankful and that we still commemorate all
Those that fought and died.
From me to the veterans: thank you all so very, very much for the help you
Gave to my country! Thanks to you I had the opportunity to grow up in freedom!
And know that many people looked up at the sky and saw you guys go on a
Mission into Germany and prayed for you! Every vapor trail, every bit of info on
Their wireless was a world of hope to them…
Sincerely yours,
Sylvia Steketee.
Cecil K Belton is still living in Springfield ILL
Henk
44-6601 LUCKY LAdy
MACR: 1179
Mission #192 target: Rheine Marshaling
Yards
January 20, 1945
2LT
Cecil K. Belton
Pilot
EVD
3 missions
2LT
Andrew B. Shanks
Co-Pilot
KIA
2 missions
2LT
Carl F. Chillberg
Navigator
KIA
2 missions
F/O
Claude H. Bogert
Bombardier
KIA
2 missions
TSGT
Thomas A. Rogan
Radioman
KIA
2 missions
SGT
Warren F. Nielsen
BT Gunner
KIA
2 missions
SGT
Sylvester Solomons
Engineer
KIA
2 missions
SGT
Melvin D. Williams
Tail Gunner
KIA
2 missions
SGT
William L. Monroe
Waist Gunner
KIA
2 missions
Lucky Lady was shot down by AAA Jan 20, 1945 over Sterkrade and
crashed near Midwoud, Holland. Flak over the target damaged the #2 engine and
fragments from the flak cut the hydraulic lines. Fluid was leaking and the B-17
fell out of the formation, losing altitude. LT Belton headed for home, but a
fire broke out in the Cockpit and he ordered the crew to bail out. Before they
could do so, there was a large explosion which probably blew off part of the
cockpit. The plane plummeted out of control and crashed in the meadows north of
the village of Midwoud, about 45km north of Amsterdam.
2 chutes were reported seen from observers on the ground; one chute got tangled
on the tail section. LT Belton survived most likely because he was blown clear
of the plane. He could not recall pulling his ripcord. Members of the Dutch
resistance took care of him and told him the fate of his crew. LT Belton could
not believe they had perished. During the night of January 20-21, Dutchmen
guided him through the frozen fields to the church at Midwoud where the dead
crewmen were lying in state. An emotional Belton paid his respects. In March,
the Resistance transferred him via Amsterdam to the Biesbosch, a marshy area
with hundreds of waterways south of Rotterdam and rowed him in a boat to Allied
territory. The crew members were buried in the cemetery at Midwoud. They were
reinterred January 21, 1946 in the Netherlands American Cemetery.
==============
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
