TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Memorial Crashed Lancaster Den Ham

This memorial commemorates a on this site crashed Lancaster. The monument is a colossal stone, with a text which states that on September 16, 1943 of an RAF Lancaster crashed down here. Pilot, F/Lt Leslie Gorden Knight, DSO was killed. He gave the other seven crew members the chance to leave the plane on time. The Lancaster belonged to the famous 617 Squadron (KC-N JB144). Les Knight was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1943 for taking part in Operation Chastise – the Dams raid. Knight's crew, flying in N-Nan then, attacked, hit and breached the Eder Dam.
F/Lt LGKnight is buried at the General Cemetery in Den Ham.

Picture 3 shows the carriage of the coffin with the body of F/Lt Leslie Gorden Knight from the wreck into a mourning coach, the morning after the crash.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

  • Text: Lammert Melk / Arjan Vrieze
  • Photos: Lammert Melk (1,2) & Stefan Hendriks (3)

Related books

Avro Aircraft since 1908
The Avro Lancaster, Manchester and Lincoln
Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II
Avro Lancaster 1945-1965
Avro Lancaster - Handley Page Halifax - Short S.29 Stirling