Crash Site Short Stirling R9197

Monument to comemmorate the crash of Short Stirling Mk I R9197 BU-V of No. 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron. Seven crew members were killed in the crash, one died later of his wounds. The aircraft was shot down by Hauptmann [bioid]23931,Reinhold Knacke[/bioid] and his navigator Feldwebel [bioid]22348,Kurt Bundrock[/bioid], flying from Gilze-Rijen, in their Messerschmitt Bf 110F-4 'G9+DK'. During the air battle, the Messerschmitt also was shot down in which Hauptmann Knacke was killed. The text on the memorial is:[i] On 3 February 1943 at 8:04 PM at this spot Stirling Mark I R9197 BU-V crashed after an aerial combat with a German Messerschmitt Bf 110 night fighter. All crewmembers were killed. They are buried in Commonwealth War Graves at the Rusthof cemetery in Leusden, plot XIII row 5, grave numbers 81 - 88. With this memorial we will remember them. [bioid]89892,Denis Hedley Smith[/bioid] (22) UK pilot [bioid]89893,Derek Gordon de Garis[/bioid] (20) UK co-pilot [bioid]89894,Ronald Frank Evans[/bioid] (26) UK flight engineer [bioid]89895,John Irven MacKenzie[/bioid] (26) CDN navigator [bioid]89896,William McKenzie Murdoch[/bioid] CDN observer/bomb aimer [bioid]89898,William Obediah Powell[/bioid] CDN wireless operator/airgunner [bioid]89899,Daniel O'Neill[/bioid] (22) CDN dorsal gunner [bioid]89900,Arley Henry Thiessen[/bioid] (23) CDN tail gunner These heroes fought for our freedom and peace. "In grateful remembrance" HISTORISCHE KRING LEUSDEN Memorial design: Mirjam Woltman[/i]