Haarsteeg Memorial
550 Squadron Lancaster LL747/BQ-P
F/O Packham and crew
The Memorial raised in memory of F/O Packham and crew of LL747 and the villagers of Hoeven.
- F/O G H Packham (P)
- Sgt C C C Pettit (F/Eng)
- Sgt J Matthews (Nav)
- Sgt J S Jenkins (A/B)
- Sgt F A Willson (W/Op)
- Sgt J Jackson (MU/AG)
- Sgt E J Morgan (R/AG)
All of the members of the crew became PoWs. Sadly, however, eight citizens of Hoeven died as a result of the crashed Lancaster. The aircraft was hit by flak, or a night-fighter, and had not been able to release its bomb load due to problems with the hydraulics system to open the bomb doors. The aircraft crashed on the hamlet of De Hoeven (part of Haarsteeg). On impact of the aircraft eight civilians were killed.
Other information about the flight and the target available here.
The entry on the 550 Squadron list of non-returnees is available here.
For information on the crew see also the F/O GH Packham crew page.
Click on individual pictures to view the larger image.
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The memorial was presented and unveiled by Mrs. Doris Pettit, 17th June 1994.
Many thanks to Adrian van Zantvoort, Holland for making the photographs of the memorial available and providing the associated information.