429 pow ws: "Lapham EF F/O RAF 22-Jun-43 Krefeld HZ520"
site:www.429sqn.ca LAPHAM - Google Search: "F/O Lapham who was shot down that night commented, 'Who can say we were wrong about having our regular rituals upset by the press and photos? .."
429 sqn RCAF Research: "Fortunae Nihil (Nothing to Chance)
429 sqn RCAF (SDOE)This is our research site of the 429 sqn RCAF. We are doing detailed research on 429 RCAF Sqn/6 RCAF Group/Bomber Command."
Air Force POWs La Franchise, R A, to Lythgoe, C G: "L3 1700 Lapham E F 130258 RAF"
Daily Operations:
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| June 21/22, 1943
44 Halifaxes from 408, 419, 427, and 428 Squadrons were joined by 42 Wellingtons from 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Krefeld. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 19,500 feet, releasing 124,000 lbs of high explosives and 253,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused. |
"F/Sgt E. Eames RAF–POW and crew, flying Wellington X HZ-520 coded AL-Z, failed to return from this operation.
F/O E. Lapham RAF–POW F/Sgt H. Holmes RAF
Sgt W. Wright RAF–POW
F/O D. Milne RCAF
2 crew killed and 3 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter."WW2Museums.com:
"Memorial Wellington HZ520
Address:
Fressevenweg, 5570 GA, Bergeijk
WWII Percentage:
100%
Photo #1 Memorial Wellington HZ520
On June 22nd 1943 at 01:20 a bomber crashed alongside the Fressevenweg in Bergeijk in the Dutch province of Noord Brabant. The Wellington HZ520 of 429 Squadron was downed by the German night fighter Hauptmann Wer ner Baake. The crashed aircraft took part in a raid on the German city of Krefeld.
That same night Hauptmann Baake of Nachtgeschwader 1./NJG1 also claimed a Halifax which crashed in the vicinity of the village of Uden . Werner Baake received the “Ritterkreuz” (Knight’s cross) on 27 July, 1944, for 41 downed allied aircraft during World War Two.
The monument consists of a pedestal of brickwork with a polished granite stone on top with an engraved text which may be translated as follows:
In the night of 21 to 22 June, 1943, near this crater WELLINGTON HZ520 has crashed.
Two crew members were killed
F/Sgt H.V. Holmes – RAF
F/O D. S. Milne - RCAF
Taken prisoner of war
F/Sgt E.A.Eams – RAF
F/O E.F. Lapham – RAF
W/O W.H. Wright – RAF
Unveiled by E.F. Lapham on September 11th, 1994.
Ten meters behind the monument you will find the crater that was caused by the crash.
The two crew members that were killed received their last resting place on the British war cemetery in Woensel (in the municipality of Eindhoven). On the front side of the brickwork pedestal there is a copper engraving with the picture of F/O Lapham.
Source: René Winters
Pictures: René Winters"
