Boeing B-17F 42-30130 AW-J from 96BG/337BS
 

Hi readers,

In the morning of January 7 1944 a Boeing B-17F from Snetterton Heath based 96BG/337BS crashed near the tiny village Molenschot (west of Fliegerhorst Gilze-Rijen) in The Netherlands, after having been hit by FLAK. Only two (Robets and Weiss) from crew of ten survided.

Is there more detailed information about the exact location? I have seen info on the internet that this Flying Fortress, on a raid to Ludwigshafen, crashed in France. Why ths mix-up? Is MACR2018 giving more details?

The series of books, "Vijf jaar Luchtfront" about Gilze-Rijen during WW2 is not mentioning the accident.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Regards,

Benno (from Molenschot)

Re: Boeing B-17F 42-30130 AW-J from 96BG/337BS
 

There is a German document in the MACR that gives the crash location as Molenschot near Gilze-Rijen. No others details as to location.

The dead were buried in Tilburg.

Re: Boeing B-17F 42-30130 AW-J from 96BG/337BS
 

Hi,

I missed the info in the books "Vijf jaar Luchtfront". It was on the very last page of issue 4, and not issue 5 which was reported to cover 1944/1945.

Aircraft came down between Raakeindsekerkweg and Lijndonk. That's 1 kilometer from where I am living.

Regards,

Benno