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1944-08-31 The Loss of Cees Waardenburg Mitchell FW268

Crash site: Shackleford Heath, West of Godalming, East of Peper Harow Lane, Surrey, GB

Crash cause: low flying during test flight

Name

1. Waardenburg, Cornelis (Ceessie)

C. Waardenburg Source: SLH Mill Hill 050620 Waardenburg C

Rank

Res 1Lt Vl, F/Lt., Pilot

Decorations

Bronzen Leeuw, Bronzen Kruis, Vliegerkruis, Distinguished Flying Cross

Born

12/9/1920

Place

Schipluiden, NL

Squadron

RAF 320 (Dutch) Sqn Bomber Command

RAF 139 'Jamaica' Sqn Bomber Command

Ops/hr

104/209

Aircraft

Mitchell Mk. II B-25D Nr. FW268 EV-O

Base

RAF Dunsfold, Surrey, GB

Mission

Testflight with a 180 Sqn aircraft

Status

KIFA, aircraft hit tree

age

23

Killed

30/8/1944

Place

Near the Canadian army vehicle park in Shackleford Heath, W of Godalming, Surrey, GB, 8m NNW from base

Buried

Initially buried at Rudgwick cemetery, the home town of F/O. Payne's wife Nancy Cooper, 5 miles from RAF Dunsfold. F/O. Payne is still buried here today, grave 685 in the SW part. F/Lt. Waardenburg was reburied 1964 at Nederlands ereveld Mill Hill, London, grave B/7/7

Known to

OGS

yes

CWGC

no

Other crew

2. F/O. Henry George Payne, Ag, RAF 50748, age 27 - KIFA

No other crew members on this test flight

Remarks

Trained in De Winton, Canada

Vliegerkruis, 13/7/1944

Gedurende geruimen tijd bij het 320e Squadron R.D.N.A.S. van Onzen Marine Luchtvaartdienst in het Vereenigd Koninkrijk, in oorlogsvluchten tegen den vijand blijk gegeven van moed, bekwaamheid, volharding en plichtsbetrachting.

Distinguished Flying Cross DFC

Waardenburg's DFC recommendations:

Source: Russ Legross

Christian Names : Cornelis Surname : WAARDENBURG

Rank :- F/LT.

Group :- 2. Unit : 139 Wing Airfield

Total hours flown on operations : 98.55 as Observer

3.10 as Pilot

Total No. of sorties : 54

Total hours flown on operations

since receipt of previous award: - N/A.

Recognition for which recommended:- DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (IMMEDIATE)

Appointment held : Observer

Allied decorations already held :- Nil.



Memorial

Vijfluik Loenen, Gelderland, NL


GB arrival

Engelandvaarder. Departure 3/9/1941. Sailed with a small motor vessel from Rozenburg, Zeeland, NL, with Rudi Burgwal, Dirk Jan ter Beek, Frederik Stumpff, Jan Linzel, Edgard Ephrem Daniƫls, Sytse Pieter Rienksma, the vessel owner, and Herman Pieter Witkamp. Arrival 4/9/1941 at Orford, Suffolk, GB, NE of Felixtowe.

Source: NA 2.09.06-4094, 4095, 4099

Data

Confusion

OGS: died Dunsfold, Surrey, GB. Only BL mentioned.

Crash site also reported as 'Shackleford Park', which does not exist. Maybe a mixup of 'car park' and 'Shackleford Heath'.

Gedenkrol KM: died in a belly-landing at Godalming

Remarks by Station Commander

Today, 1st May 1944, Lt. Waardenburg, as leading Navigator Bomb Aimer flying with the formation leader, was responsible for the destruction of two important targets, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The operation this morning was particularly noteworthy - the winds forecast were considerably in error, but by careful Observation, using both the bomb sight and radar aids, the proper correction was applied and the bombs from all the aircraft in the formation fell squarely on the Carriage and Wagon Shops.

The same high standard of navigation and bomb aiming was displayed during the afternoon attack, and again the results were both precise and succesful.

Lt. Waardenburg is, without doubt, one of the most determined, skillful and courageous Navigator bomb aimers ever to operate with this Wing. His efforts today are typical of the results he has achieved since joining this Wing. He has, on many occasions, found targets in the face of the most adverse weather and Flak conditions, and in fact he is so cool in the face of Obstacles and hazards that the chances of succes are greatly magnified when he is in the leading aircraft. Also to Lt. Waardenburg's credit is the fact that he is a skilled and keen Pilot, but because of his unusual ability as bomb aimer he is more than happy and content to do his part, at least for the time being, in this field.

I have no hesitation in most strongly recommending him for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He is not being recommended for an Allied decoration for the services outlined above.

1st May 1944. C.R. DUNLAP G/C. Group Captain, Commanding, No. 139 Wing Airfield

Remarks by Air Officer Commanding

I strongly endorse this recommendation. Lieutenant Waardenburg's skill and accuracy in bomb aiming has, in the last few days, been of the greatest value to our air offensive against Military targets in Europe. His bombing results are not only due to skill, but to his courage and resolute determination to hit the target. He has maintained an exceptionally high standard over a long period as Navigator/Bomb Aimer to Wing Commander L.A. Lynn, DSO DFC (Wing Commander Flying, No. 139 Wing). In consequence of his achievements the whole standard of bombing accuracy in the Wing has greatly improved. Many of the attacks in which he has been the leading Bomb Aimer have been effected in the face of intense and accurate Flak, but this has not affected either his will or ability to hit the target.

I consider this a most deserving case for the immediate award of the DFC, which I very strongly recommend.

F/LT Waardenburg has not been recommended for an Allied award.

2nd May 1944. B.E. EMBRY Air Vice Marshall

F/O. Harry Payne Source: Nancy Cooper, via Russ Legross

Rudgwick 070122 Payne HG

Churchyard of Rudgwick Holy Trinity Parish Church, on Church Street, Rudgwick, Sussex, GB. The War grave at the center left is Harry Payne's. F/Lt. Waardenburg was initially buried here, before his remains were relocated to Mill Hill. Rudgewick 070122-2

2. Crash site data

Map 92. Shackleford Heath, crash site of C. Waardenburg and H. Payne

Shackeford Heath, 00.3947W/51.1200N, looking Northeast from the road junction towards the crash area indicated in the map above. Shackeford Heath 080212-2



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