Dutch WWII Airwar Researcher Jacobus "Co" de Swart investigated WWII air combat victory claims of German Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot Oberleutnant Erich Burkert. De Swart's research found confirmation of those claims, including two USAAF B-17s, one from the 95th Bombardment Group on 17 August 1943, and one from the 96th Bombardment Group on 20 October 1943. This photo Gallery presents the results of the research, as well as the modern day gatherings of the descendants of the combatants and witnesses to these events. Among the researchers de Swart collaborated with to fill some voids were the Belgian team at The Comet Network.

NOTE to users: To view each photo album, click on the album title, or the small image representing the album. Similarly, within each album, to view an enlarged photo and its caption, click on the small photo in the album. You may also view adjacent photos by clicking on the right or left side of the current photo, the small "next/previous" photos displayed in the box at the right, or the navigation arrows above the line. Additional assistance is available by hovering your cursor over various parts of a photo, or most symbols displayed in the window.
 
     
 
  • Liliane Sols Liliane Sols
  • Mol,Belgium, August 18/19-2018  Mol,Belgium, August 18/19-2018
  • Very happy to meet at last..... Very happy to meet at last.....
  •  Very happy to meet: Very happy to meet:
  • B-17 Baker Crew Memorial B-17 Baker Crew Memorial
  • 196 DSCN1000 196 DSCN1000
  • 2015, Bachy, Belgium. Special day for Cometline helper 2015, Bachy, Belgium. Special day for Cometline helper
  • 2015, Bachy, Belgium. Special day for Cometline helper 2015, Bachy, Belgium. Special day for Cometline helper
  • Helper Comet Escapeline Henriette Hanotte, 1942-1944 Helper Comet Escapeline Henriette Hanotte, 1942-1944
  • Moving Moments between Mills Jr. and Henriette Hanotte. Moving Moments between Mills Jr. and Henriette Hanotte.
  • 2015, Bachy, B :Honoring Ceremonies for Henriette Hanotte 2015, Bachy, B :Honoring Ceremonies for Henriette Hanotte
  • Roermond: Relaxing and 'good bay' in the Pollaert Garden after emotional vists Roermond: Relaxing and 'good bay' in the Pollaert Garden after emotional vists
  • 2014: Pat (Doherty) & Tom Leary in the garden of Pollaert Jr. 2014: Pat (Doherty) & Tom Leary in the garden of Pollaert Jr.
  • 2014>Pat & Tom> Meeting Gorris-and Pollaert fam.mbrs with Co & Louise de Swart 2014>Pat & Tom> Meeting Gorris-and Pollaert fam.mbrs with Co & Louise de Swart
  • De Bilt,NL: 2014. Pat Doherty/husband Tom Leary De Bilt,NL: 2014. Pat Doherty/husband Tom Leary
  •  2013 >  8th AF Museum Pooler, Ga.    -2- 2013 > 8th AF Museum Pooler, Ga. -2-
  • Savannah/Pooler, Ga: Speeches and remembering the Baker Crew Savannah/Pooler, Ga: Speeches and remembering the Baker Crew
  • 8thAF Annual 2013: Yvonne Brusselmans, frmr Pres. of AFEES 8thAF Annual 2013: Yvonne Brusselmans, frmr Pres. of AFEES
  • Jane and 'Bill' Binnebose at the plaques in the Memorial Jane and 'Bill' Binnebose at the plaques in the Memorial
  • Pooler, Ga :  Baker Crew kids together again Pooler, Ga : Baker Crew kids together again
  • 2012, France:  L:  Couple de Conche-Bousmanne 2012, France: L: Couple de Conche-Bousmanne
  • Bousmanne Grave site Bousmanne Grave site
  • Robert Bousmanne 1945 Robert Bousmanne 1945
  • 8thAF Museum , Pooler, Ga. 2011 8thAF Museum , Pooler, Ga. 2011
  • Belgian Witness of  Binnebose arrest  Mr  Frans Vleugels Belgian Witness of Binnebose arrest Mr Frans Vleugels
  • Left: Couples Coppin and fiancee and  Bousmanne  1945 Left: Couples Coppin and fiancee and Bousmanne 1945
  • Lille, Belgium, 2005: Meeting with Daughter of Resistance man Marcel Coppin Lille, Belgium, 2005: Meeting with Daughter of Resistance man Marcel Coppin
  • Dogtag  Pilot B-17 42-30274 Walter Baker Dogtag Pilot B-17 42-30274 Walter Baker
  •     -3- -3-
  • Sarnow training with Bombsight equipment Sarnow training with Bombsight equipment
  • Robbie and Regina Sarnow, happy with their father's 'Belgian found' dogtag Robbie and Regina Sarnow, happy with their father's 'Belgian found' dogtag
  • Dogtag Sarnow on it's way 'home' after 75 years. Dogtag Sarnow on it's way 'home' after 75 years.
  • Dogtag Sarnow 'home' after 75 years. Dogtag Sarnow 'home' after 75 years.
  • 175 IMG 0190 175 IMG 0190
  • Denver, Col :  Relax time........left :..... Denver, Col : Relax time........left :.....
  • Guest Don Mills Jr/Co de Swart/ Jane Binnebose Guest Don Mills Jr/Co de Swart/ Jane Binnebose
  • Co de Swart hugged by Regina Sarnow Co de Swart hugged by Regina Sarnow
  • Afees Annual 2010 Col. Springs, Col. USA Afees Annual 2010 Col. Springs, Col. USA
  • Pilot Walter Baker's granddaughter Debora Kalens with Co de Swart Pilot Walter Baker's granddaughter Debora Kalens with Co de Swart
  • Happy couple de Swart from Holland Happy couple de Swart from Holland
  • Afees Annual 2010 Col. Springs, Col. USA Afees Annual 2010 Col. Springs, Col. USA
  • 'Surprise': frmr. AFEES Pres, Yvonne Daily -Brusselmans.... 'Surprise': frmr. AFEES Pres, Yvonne Daily -Brusselmans....
  • Yvonne Daily Brusselmans (L) meeting the Martin Minnich kinship Yvonne Daily Brusselmans (L) meeting the Martin Minnich kinship
  • Minnich's daughter 'Cathy' and  Minnich's  sister Phylis Jean Minnich's daughter 'Cathy' and Minnich's sister Phylis Jean
  • Cleo Morrisson  and husband Cleo Morrisson and husband
  • 'Bill Binnebose'  presenting his 'thanks' to everyone for being present. 'Bill Binnebose' presenting his 'thanks' to everyone for being present.
  • The late Canadian Historian Geoffry Warren presenting the Escape stories. The late Canadian Historian Geoffry Warren presenting the Escape stories.
  • Congratulations from the 'Our Bay-Bee' Group for Co & Louise de Swart. Congratulations from the 'Our Bay-Bee' Group for Co & Louise de Swart.
  • Co with AFEES' Pres.  John Katsaros Co with AFEES' Pres. John Katsaros
  • Meeting:  Geoff Warren / Don Mills Jr./ Co de Swart Meeting: Geoff Warren / Don Mills Jr./ Co de Swart
  • 2010: US Afees Annual Col. Springs USA: Geoff Warren/Don Mills Jr./Co de Swart 2010: US Afees Annual Col. Springs USA: Geoff Warren/Don Mills Jr./Co de Swart
  • Happy Couple de Swart, job well-done Happy Couple de Swart, job well-done
  • 2010, Colorado Springs USA Our Bay-Bee kids Meeting 2010, Colorado Springs USA Our Bay-Bee kids Meeting
  • Guests Marvin Nauman , Gig Harbour Wa. and Cleo Morrrisson from Borger TX Guests Marvin Nauman , Gig Harbour Wa. and Cleo Morrrisson from Borger TX
  • John Jr. and Michelle White from S. Antonio Tx..  Maj. Strom, Sarnow's son i law John Jr. and Michelle White from S. Antonio Tx.. Maj. Strom, Sarnow's son i law
  • Attendees Afees Annual 2010 Col.. Springs Attendees Afees Annual 2010 Col.. Springs
  • 2010, Mol, Belgium,  Co with frmr. Arch./Hist of the Mol Commnity. 2010, Mol, Belgium, Co with frmr. Arch./Hist of the Mol Commnity.
  • 'Lock' 6 in Canal Antwerp/Liege(Lüttich) 'Lock' 6 in Canal Antwerp/Liege(Lüttich)
  • Crash-site B-17 'Our Bay Bee' Mol Belgium Crash-site B-17 'Our Bay Bee' Mol Belgium
  • Parents-House of joungster Emile Joris, Parents-House of joungster Emile Joris,
  • Co with daughter Lw. Fighterpilot Werner Kraft Co with daughter Lw. Fighterpilot Werner Kraft
  • Visit Mol,Belgium, ± 2005 Angelique Fruythof Visit Mol,Belgium, ± 2005 Angelique Fruythof
  •  Margraten Holland 2008 Ann Becker Russell at gravesite uncle Aäron Becker Margraten Holland 2008 Ann Becker Russell at gravesite uncle Aäron Becker
  • The two at the Memorial in De Bilt The two at the Memorial in De Bilt
  • 166 Burkert Jr R studying family archive with Co de Swart 166 Burkert Jr R studying family archive with Co de Swart
  • Monument unveiled by Steve & Cathy Surdez and Horst an Gisela Burkert, Monument unveiled by Steve & Cathy Surdez and Horst an Gisela Burkert,
  • May 2008 Stacy Parker Ferratti at the Memorial May 2008 Stacy Parker Ferratti at the Memorial
  • 057 Litke Lantron and Parker 057 Litke Lantron and Parker
  • 058 Left Mel Litke second left Jim Parker 058 Left Mel Litke second left Jim Parker
  • 055 Parker at Fort Dix 1942 055 Parker at Fort Dix 1942
  • UK, spring 1943: Geyer Crew in Trainingsflight UK, spring 1943: Geyer Crew in Trainingsflight
  • James ('Jim')  Parker and his Mom 1943 James ('Jim') Parker and his Mom 1943
  • 056 NJ Daily Jim Parkers MIA 056 NJ Daily Jim Parkers MIA
  • Under US Flag again Under US Flag again
  • Binnebose first letter to his Mom from Belgian Beverlo Hospital 2 Binnebose first letter to his Mom from Belgian Beverlo Hospital 2
  • Bill s Beverlo letter 1 Bill s Beverlo letter 1
  • 1945:   Just liberated fom wood camp 1945: Just liberated fom wood camp
  • In prison camp Stalag 17B Bill L with buddy In prison camp Stalag 17B Bill L with buddy
  • scan0049 scan0049
  • Award of Air Medal Award of Air Medal
  • Article Bill s story 2 Article Bill s story 2
  • Binnebose tells his story at his old High School Binnebose tells his story at his old High School
  • POW and Wounded POW and Wounded
  • William Binnebose Jr RWGunner William Binnebose Jr RWGunner
  •  Bill Binnebose , gunner Bill Binnebose , gunner
  • Binnebose (-3-) Binnebose (-3-)
  •   Binnebose (-2-) Binnebose (-2-)
  • Binnebose summarises his story 1 Binnebose summarises his story 1
  • 053 Gravesite Parker Newark NJ 053 Gravesite Parker Newark NJ
  • 059 2 Jim Parker medal 059 2 Jim Parker medal
  • Dear Stacy Parker Ferrati coming over to Holland to honour her Uncle Jim Parker Dear Stacy Parker Ferrati coming over to Holland to honour her Uncle Jim Parker
  • Hans Werner Kraft Jr 2007,  Trier Germany 2007 Hans Werner Kraft Jr 2007, Trier Germany 2007
  • Memorial Info on one of the cube-squaires Memorial Info on one of the cube-squaires
  • Monument squaire Monument squaire
  • Background Info on Memorial Background Info on Memorial
  • Hidingplace Sarnow-and Minnich Hidingplace Sarnow-and Minnich
  •   (-3-) (-3-)
  •  Holland 2006 Escapelinehelper van Nunen Holland honoured and intervieuwed IMG 0381 Holland 2006 Escapelinehelper van Nunen Holland honoured and intervieuwed IMG 0381
  •  (2) (2)
  • De Bilt/Memorial- Restance man Richard van Nunen De Bilt/Memorial- Restance man Richard van Nunen
  • 145 2005 Washington Va Mel Litke L and Co de Swart 145 2005 Washington Va Mel Litke L and Co de Swart
  • 037 Don Mills 001 037 Don Mills 001
  •  Don Mills with dear wife early 1943                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Don Mills with dear wife early 1943
  • Mel Litke, photographed on 'his position' on Michigan Airshow, mid 1990-ies Mel Litke, photographed on 'his position' on Michigan Airshow, mid 1990-ies
  • 147 Michigan 2006 Mel Litke attending VFW Annual Parade 147 Michigan 2006 Mel Litke attending VFW Annual Parade
  • Baker Crew Our Bay-Bee kids with Gen.USAF Mc. Nabb Baker Crew Our Bay-Bee kids with Gen.USAF Mc. Nabb
  • Co de Swart handing Lois Randel a miniature of the memorial for her brother Bob KIA Co de Swart handing Lois Randel a miniature of the memorial for her brother Bob KIA
  • Grateful Pat & Joan Doherty for succesfull Reception, with 'Love to Holland' Grateful Pat & Joan Doherty for succesfull Reception, with 'Love to Holland'
  • De Jong family mbrs De Jong family mbrs
  • 'De Jong' Family, sons of DE/Sara Lee Director/Manager 'De Jong' Family, sons of DE/Sara Lee Director/Manager
  • Tschernof with Louise de Swart Tschernof with Louise de Swart
  • Mrs Tschernof with German Defence Attache Mrs Tschernof with German Defence Attache
  • etc, etc. etc, etc.
  • etc, etc. etc, etc.
  • etc, etc. etc, etc.
  • Oct. 20, 2003/14.45 sharp: WWII warbirds over the Monument Oct. 20, 2003/14.45 sharp: WWII warbirds over the Monument
  • Memorial still covered by Dutch flag Memorial still covered by Dutch flag
  • Attendees on the crash-site welcomed by Big Band De Bilt with Glenn Miller tunes Attendees on the crash-site welcomed by Big Band De Bilt with Glenn Miller tunes
  • Photoshow detail: German Berlin Paper Oct. 14-2003 publishing search results Photoshow detail: German Berlin Paper Oct. 14-2003 publishing search results
  • -2- -2-
  • -4- -4-
  • -3- -3-
  • Shots of Photo exposition in Townhall De Bilt (-1- ) Shots of Photo exposition in Townhall De Bilt (-1- )
  • Telegram to Parents Surdez 1945:  I'm on my way home Telegram to Parents Surdez 1945: I'm on my way home
  • Surdez (L) in Stalg Luft 1 Surdez (L) in Stalg Luft 1
  • Early 1944:Letter Sq. Cdr to Surdez parents regretting  his MIA Early 1944:Letter Sq. Cdr to Surdez parents regretting his MIA
  • 2003 De Bilt, Holland> Invitation to attend the Memorial day for the Crew/5 KIA-and the three Dutch Victims 2003 De Bilt, Holland> Invitation to attend the Memorial day for the Crew/5 KIA-and the three Dutch Victims
  • 075 Prison Chart Card for Killarney 075 Prison Chart Card for Killarney
  • Palm Springs, Cal/ Mar 2003 >  Two friends for life Palm Springs, Cal/ Mar 2003 > Two friends for life
  •  Dutch Bert Monster, frmr Resistance C-Holland Dutch Bert Monster, frmr Resistance C-Holland
  • Martin Minnich Martin Minnich
  • German WWII  Fighter gridmap German WWII Fighter gridmap
  • crashsite B-17 42-3439, De Bilt NL, Oct. 20-1943 crashsite B-17 42-3439, De Bilt NL, Oct. 20-1943
  • File Luftwaffe Pilot career Werner Kraft File Luftwaffe Pilot career Werner Kraft
  • Memorial info on turnable Cube of Monument Memorial info on turnable Cube of Monument
  • Names of Dutch victims in the crash of the B-17-plane Names of Dutch victims in the crash of the B-17-plane
  • Mayor Tschernof of De Bilt with Jose Cladder and Co de swart Mayor Tschernof of De Bilt with Jose Cladder and Co de swart
  • backsite of the invitation backsite of the invitation
  • Our-Bay-Bee story B-17 42-20274 in German Luftwaffe Website Our-Bay-Bee story B-17 42-20274 in German Luftwaffe Website
  • 2006> Zeist, Holland> Lois Randel / Co de swart 2006> Zeist, Holland> Lois Randel / Co de swart
  • Margraten Mil. cemetery, Holland: regular visitors couple Co & Louise de Swart Margraten Mil. cemetery, Holland: regular visitors couple Co & Louise de Swart
  • 2010: US Afees Annual Col. Springs USA: Don Mills Jr./Co de Swart/Afees'Secr.Jane Binnebose 2010: US Afees Annual Col. Springs USA: Don Mills Jr./Co de Swart/Afees'Secr.Jane Binnebose
  • Well, you know who...... Well, you know who......
  • ... Great Meeting Aug 18/2018 Crewkinship........ ... Great Meeting Aug 18/2018 Crewkinship........
  • Bomb .Mills' kinship visiting Memorial for Five of the Crew KIA De Bilt Bomb .Mills' kinship visiting Memorial for Five of the Crew KIA De Bilt