1943-05-21-Loss of Rudi Heijne

Search Tips

Advanced Search

List of Aviator Losses •

Table of Contents •

ArchiveDatabase •

1943-05-21 The loss of Rudi Heijne

Crash site: North Sea 1 mile West of Buddon Ness Lighthouse, 6 miles Southwest of Arbroath, Angus, Scotland, GB

Crash cause: accident due to low flying; aircraft hit the sea port-wing down

Name	1. Heijne, Rudi Anton Casper					Dutch RAF aviator datasheet

				Arbroath 080205 Heijne RAC

Rank	Matr 1kl ARO, Lac.
Decorations	None known
Born	29/4/1923	Place	Weltevreden, Java, NEI
Squadron	Unknown FAA Sqn				Ops/hr
Aircraft	Swordfish Mk. I Nr. W5861
Base	RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor)
Mission	Training
Status	KIFA				age	20
Killed	21/5/1943	place	North Sea 1 mile West of Buddon Ness Lighthouse, 6 miles SW of Arbroath, Scotland, GB
Buried	Western Cemetery, Arbroath, GB, grave D/21
Known to	OGS	yes	CWGC	no
Other crew	2. S/L. W.N. Ledingham, Pilot – injured but safe 3. Lac. Stanley Boardman, P/JX 168146 – KIA, age 24, buried Blackley (St. Andrew) Churchyard, Lancashire, GB, grave A/390
Memorial	Soesterberg	yes
Memorial	Other	yes	Mill Hill Memorial Table, London, GB Mill Hill Heijne
GB arrival
Remarks
Data confusion	The MLD knows an Off Vl 2kl A.R.C. Heijne, who was killed 21/5/1943 in a flying accident with a Swordfish aircraft. OGS: died Arbroath, Angus, GB

From the accident report:

'The aircraft was flying normally along the North bank of the river Tay from the direction of Broughty Ferry and past the small town of Monifeith, when about a mile to the Westward of Buddon Ness Lighthouse, the pilot lost control of his aircraft which spun into the sea. Unfortunately there were no witnesses of this crash and the first information received was that the pilot struggled to the beach and was seen by the lighthouse-keeper who went to his assistance. The pilot was dazed and had a broken nose. He has stated that the aircraft hit the sea port-wing down and with some considerable force. The pilot has also stated that, after the aircraft had crashed, he saw one of the other occupants but was not able to say who it was. This man, whom I believe from his description to be Midshipman HEYNE, appeared unable to help himself and in all probability was killed in the crash. At any rate he sank and disappeared before the pilot could get hold of him.'

Source: J.P. Kloos, "320 Squadron Memorial", p.162

The base in Arbroath, called 'RNAS Condor', and today 'RM Condor', is still an active base. The crash area could not be readily visited, as it is within a military firing range.

2. Crash site data

Map 33. North Sea off Buddon Ness Lighthouse

1 mile West of Buddon Ness Lighthouse, South of Arbroath, Scotland, GB. Site where R.A.C. Heijne crashed on 21/5/1943.

List of Aviator Losses •

Table of Contents •

Database •

Next Chapter

You can show you value this content by offering your dedicated research team a coffee!

You can lay a wreath on this page to show your respect in an everlasting way.

Add us to your address book. Click here

(To translate into English, first select another language from the drop-down menu, THEN you can select English at the top of the drop-down menu.)

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon

All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© 2012 - 2025 Aircrew Remembered Last Modified: 09 April 2021, 15:51

If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.