Aircrew Remembered

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.

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	Albums Aircraft + Aircrew Material 2 Baker Crew, 8th USAAF, 95th BG 208 Geyer Crew, 8th USAAF 96th BG 210 420 photos


	Related keywords Belgian traitor Burkert Crashsite B-17 43-3439 Rene van Muylem


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	Related albums Aircraft + Aircrew Material 2 Baker Crew, 8th USAAF, 95th BG 208 Geyer Crew, 8th USAAF 96th BG 210


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	Photo sizes Photo sizes ✔ Square ✔ Thumbnail ✔ XXS - tiny ✔ XS - extra small ✔ S - small ✔ M - medium ✔ L - large ✔ Optimal slideshow return to normal view mode Home 420 Co de Swart Co de Swart Data Crew B 17 42 30274 Our Bay Bee Aug 17 1943 8th USAAF 96thBG Mission report Oct.20-1943 Medals and captions B-17 MZ V >Call sign Aug 17 1943 Ops Rpt pg1 Geyer B17 crew Geyer Crew: USAAF B-17 42-3439 Story 42 30274 (-1-) Story 42 30274 (-2-) UK, spring 1943: Geyer Crew in Trainingsflight Story 42 30274 (-3-) Lt Walter Baker 1943 Martin Minnich Nav. Cedric Nussbaum German WWII Fighter gridmap Henry Hank Sarnow Bombardier German Luftwaffe Oblt. Erich M. Burkert JG 26 Cpilot's 1945 Telegram to his parents "Coming Home" John White BTG Erich Burkert, 2nd from L: Russia Spring 1943 Alvin Forney, Tech. 013 Luftwaffe Career Oblt E Burkert 1909 1944 Bill Binnebose , gunner Lw Fighterpilot Burkert JG 26 photograped at Schiphol Airport Aug 17-1943 congratulated by his groundcrew after downing B-17 42-30274 over Mol, Belgium Walter Mc Dermott , Radio/TTG Dutch Policereport on crash B-17 42-3439 in De Bilt, NL, Oct. 1943. Roscoe James Alderman, gunner crashsite B-17 42-3439, De Bilt NL, Oct. 20-1943 Albert Gray Bergeron, TG German Fighterpilot looking at the remains of his victim, B-17-3439 Crash-site B-17 'Our Bay Bee' Mol Belgium 018 crashDe Bilt4 MACR 402 crashsite B-17 42-3439, De Bilt NL, Oct. 20-1943 German Luftwaffe HQ Info Crashdata B-17 crashsite B-17 42-3439, De Bilt NL, Oct. 20-1943 Luftwaffe Fighterpilot Oblt Erich Burkert 7/9JG26 Same German officer in rubbish after the crash Schiphol Airport Holland > Burkert Aug 17 1943 -2- Luftwaffe Career Oblt E Burkert (1909 1944) ID Plate of one of the B-17's engines, found on the crashsite later Pilot Charles Geyer Prison ID Burkert's Wingman Lw Fighterpilot Fw. WernerKraft File Luftwaffe Pilot career Werner Kraft MIA/ Missing Telegram Dec 18 1943 2 German Fighter Grid Map Farmhouse Raaymakers Jekschotstraat 5b 1, Zijtaart, NL Hidingplace Sarnow-and Minnich Zijtaart, Holland 2004, author with witness Richard van Nunen ( blue jacket) 'Lock' 6 in Canal Antwerp/Liege(Lüttich) Oberursel, Germany: German ID for Co-pilot Surdez Belgian Police report on the crash US-Cal. paper reporting the Missing of USAAF airman Surdez ( 1) Youngster Emile Joris, Belgian helper 1943 Surdez in training 1942 Parents-House of joungster Emile Joris, Burlingham Paper: Airman Surdez missing in ETO August Fruythof Early 1944:Letter Sq. Cdr to Surdez parents regretting his MIA Marcel Coppin Surdez (L) in Stalg Luft 1 A Belgian Hero's Rest Still humour in POW Camp From Fruythof's book: Page 1 Telegram to Parents Surdez 1945: I'm on my way home Don Mills with dear wife early 1943 Page 2 037 Don Mills 001 Page 3 Page 4 Fall 1943:For Bomb. Don Mills> first safehouse after foot-trip from chutelanding site in Holland Page 5 Angelique Fruythof 040 Pierre Elhorga French Resistance (Cometline) 041 Jeanne Marthe Mendiara Villenave/safehouse Gunner Melvin Litke, when with 15thAF in Italy, photographed shortly before returning hom after his completed 'tour' Mel Litke, photographed on 'his position' on Michigan Airshow, mid 1990-ies Matthys Gaston Belgian Comete Escapeline Remembering Aäron Becker KIA, gunner/Radio Geyer Crew Minnich and Sarnow with Monsieur Gaston who hid them 'Bob' Randell, KIA gunner Geyer Crew Anne Brusselmans Margraten Cemetery, NL > graves of crewmbrs Becker and Randel Ann Brusselmans and husband Julien Crewmbr. Geyer Crew: Guillianelli KIA Burton Graham s Book A Hero's Rest Escapees in civil KIA Crewmbr. Lantron's data (-1-) about the escapees 1 KIA Crewmbr. Lantron's data (-2-) Edward L Lantron's Grave site in Borger, Tx. about the escapees 4 052 TMP165 jpg B17 crew 001 about the escapees 3 053 Gravesite Parker Newark NJ Sarnow s 1943 note to Anne Brusselmans James ('Jim') Parker and his Mom 1943 Minnich Letters to and about August Gus Fruythof Jeanne Marthe Mendiara Villenave/Safehouse 055 Parker at Fort Dix 1942 056 NJ Daily Jim Parkers MIA Pierre Elhorga, French helper Comet Escapelone Line Florentino Coicoechea 057 Litke Lantron and Parker 058 Left Mel Litke second left Jim Parker Press article loss Lt Baker 059 2 Jim Parker medal Lt Baker 060 Richard van Nunen 1941 Wartime for Walt Baker s wife too Nav Nussbaum preparing for flight Zijtaart, Holland 2005/ Richard v. Nunen at frmr chute-landing site of Doherty and Killarney Nussbaum s German POW ID Card ea 2005/ Frmr Farm of v.d. Ven family where Sur dez dez was hidden but also got arrested by German soldiers who had watched the chutelandings in the area Sarnow training with Bombsight equipment Page of the WWII-Otten safehouse scrapbook Gunner Bill Binnebose and wife Published in Afees Newsmagazine by Co de Swart: 2005 List of Allied airmen hidden in the Otten Safehouse, Erp, Holland 1942/1944 Jim Alderman and Bill Binnebose on leave, 1942 Award of Air Medal His chute worked well and saved him Binnebose tells his story at his old High School Otten Safe house, Erp, Holland. 2014 Article Bill s story 2 Nov. 1943: Safehouse Doherty & Killarney in Maasniel/Roermond German Navy(!) Hospital-Archive book, Beverloo -Belgium Postwar letter from Resistance man Gerald Gorris , Roermond Bill s Beverlo letter 1 Binnebose first letter to his Mom from Belgian Beverlo Hospital 2 Rewards for a Dutch WWII Hero Binnebose summarises his story 1 Goodbay-and thanks note from Doherty-and Killarney PostwarLetter from Resistance Tilburg to Doherty's wartime address when he left Aunt Coba's safehouse Tilburg Binnebose (-2-) J F v Eerdewijk, Tiburg Binnebose (-3-) POW and Wounded 2004: Special Tilburg Magazine on Aunt Coba's Safehouse in WWII 075 Prison Chart Card for Killarney In prison camp Stalag 17B Bill L with buddy 96BG-Magazine 2005 page: on Aunt Coba and the two escapees. Cedric Free Nussbaum s POW story NJ Press article 1993 In-and Out chart Doherty Nov. 1943 from the Dutch Prison 'Oranjehotel in The Hague/Scheveningen Nussbaum Awarded NJ Hero 2001 Red Cross info to Doherty's parents: 'Your son is a POW in Germany' German POW/ID card for Nav. Doherty Postwar: Hank Sarnow presenting his twin-daughters to Ann Brusselmans Sarnow Doherty Couple Home: Happily married after' (>the war) Binnebose visiting Sarnow postwar Palm Springs USA 2003: Rober Paul Surdez ('Bud') Co-pilot B17 42-3439 visited by Co de Swart Airshow Palm Springs USA 2003: Co & Bud Sarnow Binnebose 2 Surdez Sr. and son Steve Surdez Jr. Headstone Sarnow Graveasite having passed away 1999 About Hank Sarnow by his kids Palm Springs, Cal/ Mar 2003 > Two friends for life Cal. USA: late 1990-ies: Regina Sarnow, daughter of....with 2003 De Bilt, Holland> Invitation to attend the Memorial day for the Crew/5 KIA-and the three Dutch Victims Two friends for life (2) Justice co pilot Martin Minnich Jose Cladder, Pres. of Hist. Soc. De Bilt / Co de Swart Minnich s solo flight 1942 Oct. 20-2003: Mayor of De Bilt welcoming attendees in the Townhall Happy Minnich couple Co de Swart detailing photo exposition of searchresults for US Ambassador and wife Co pilot s Story Shots of Photo exposition in Townhall De Bilt (-1- ) 2 Lt Martin Minnich Co pilot Photoshow detail: German Berlin Paper Oct. 14-2003 publishing search results -2- TV Show I VE GOT A SECRET 1958 (YouTube) -3- Helped and helper united in Belgium -4- Gust Fruythof and his book Ohio Press: Attention for frmr Resistance man Belgium visiting Transport of attendees in old US Schoolbusses etc -2- Attendees on the crash-site welcomed by Big Band De Bilt with Glenn Miller tunes Memorial still covered by Dutch flag Prosit on being united again Fruythof/ Minnich early 80 ies 1982 shortly before his death Fruythof meeting the Minnich s again Monument unveiled by Steve & Cathy Surdez and Horst an Gisela Burkert, 2nd visit to his Belgian saviour Fruythof Memorial info on turnable Cube of Monument Oct. 20, 2003/14.45 sharp: WWII warbirds over the Monument 1945: Just liberated fom wood camp Monument squaire Obituary Crewmbr. Walter T. Mc Dermott Forney Names of Dutch victims in the crash of the B-17-plane Memorial Info on one of the cube-squaires Walter Baker flight training Background Info on Memorial Captain Walter Baker postwar stationed in the UK Baker back in USAF Americans meeting eachother in De Bilt, NL on Memorial Day Maj Walt Baker 1955 Steve Surdez addressing attandees Memorial Day De Bilt 2003 Lt Col Walt Baker on Navy ship Gisela Burkert, daughter of the Luftwaffe pilot messaged the audiance Gravesite for Albert Bergeron, crewmbr. C: Gisela Burkert and R: Louise de Swart Mayor Tschernof of De Bilt with Jose Cladder and Co de swart Under US Flag again Closing words Co de Swart/ end of official part of the Memorial scan0049 William Binnebose Jr RWGunner Dinner with closest attendees ending 'THE' Memorial Day Tschernof with Louise de Swart Roscoe J Jim Alderman 1964 'De Jong' Family, sons of DE/Sara Lee Director/Manager Crewmbr. John White, 1946 etc, etc. Postwar en rtd in Tx: gunner B-17 42-30274 John White etc, etc. 1999 : Obituary for crewmbr John White 001 etc, etc. Horst Burkert Jr 2003 Mrs Tschernof with German Defence Attache Report on Burkert being KIA 1944 De Jong family mbrs Gravesite Fighterpilot Burkert in Bourdon, France Neuwied, Germany: Co de Swart / Horst Burkert Jr. 2004: Dover, Ma. USA / Invitation to USAAF Vets to meet 'Friends from Holland' Werner Kraft Lw Fighterpilot backsite of the invitation Kraft stationed with 7 Staffel JG26 at St. Omer France 1942. 2004: Dover, Ma. USA>Co with happy Doherty-daughters Pat-and Joan Werner Kraft (-2 ) Bob Doherty, 8thUSAF Hist with Co de Swart at Meeting in Dover, Ma. USA Postwar: Kraft (L) rtd, at Annual Gemeinschaft der Flieger Annual 2004, Dover: 8thAAF Vets leaving the Doherty Residence after a wonderful meeting Dover, Ma,USA March 2004 Doherty 'hostesses' with 8th USAAF Vets Hans Werner Kraft Jr 2007, Trier Germany 2007 Our-Bay-Bee story B-17 42-20274 in German Luftwaffe Website Grateful Pat & Joan Doherty for succesfull Reception, with 'Love to Holland' Visit Mol,Belgium, ± 2005 Angelique Fruythof 2004 Trip to the USA Palm Desert, 2004: Burt & Ruth Becker Hosts with Co de Swart Co with daughter Lw. Fighterpilot Werner Kraft Info for the Americans: 96thBG News Magazine publishing about the Memorial Day in De Bilt San Francisko Chronicle 2004/ Article on visit Co & Louise de Swart to 'Bud' and Mocha Surdezz 2010, Mol, Belgium, Co with frmr. Arch./Hist of the Mol Commnity. San Francisco Chronicle/article (2) on Co de Swart's visit to Bob 'Bud' Surdez 2010, Colorado Springs USA Our Bay-Bee kids Meeting 131 img001p Happy Couple de Swart, job well-done Summer 2004, wife Lily, Bud Surdez, Steve Surdez Jr. Co with AFEES' Pres. John Katsaros 133 Summer 2004 Bud Dave and Mocha 010 1 The late Canadian Historian Geoffry Warren presenting the Escape stories. Article for SF Chronicle on Bud Surdez passing Aug. 2004 'Bill Binnebose' presenting his 'thanks' to everyone for being present. Kansas City 2004 /8th USAF Hist.Soc Annual 'Surprise': frmr. AFEES Pres, Yvonne Daily -Brusselmans.... 2004, Goodland, Kansas Pilot Walter Baker's granddaughter Debora Kalens with Co de Swart Goodland Newspaper reporting Co de Swart visiting widow and stepfather of Crewmbr Lantron's son 'Curt'Lantron Co de Swart hugged by Regina Sarnow -2- Guest Don Mills Jr/Co de Swart/ Jane Binnebose Goodland, Ka. Paper article on Co de Swart's visit. Kansas Trip 2004 Goodland, Ka. Paper article on Co de Swart's visit. -2- John Jr. and Michelle White from S. Antonio Tx. Guests Marvin Nauman , Gig Harbour Wa. and Cleo Morrrisson from Borger TX Washington Va, 2005 / Co de Swart/Mel Litke Cleo Morrisson and husband Washington Va, 2005 / Litke with hostess 8thAF HS 145 2005 Washington Va Mel Litke L and Co de Swart Minnich's daughter 'Cathy' and Minnich's sister Phylis Jean Happy couple de Swart from Holland 146 Mel Litke at WWII Memorial Va Afees Annual 2010 Col. Springs, Col. USA 147 Michigan 2006 Mel Litke attending VFW Annual Parade Denver, Col : Relax time........left :..... 2006> Zeist, Holland> Lois Randel / Co de swart Meeting: Geoff Warren / Don Mills Jr./ Co de Swart Co de Swart handing Lois Randel a miniature of the memorial for her brother Bob KIA Congratulations from the 'Our Bay-Bee' Group for Co & Louise de Swart. 2005> De Bilt, Holland> at Memorial Afees Annual 2010 Col. Springs, Col. USA Bemidji, Mi, USA Paper article on the Randel-sisters' visit to De Bilt, Holland Yvonne Daily Brusselmans (L) meeting the Martin Minnich kinship John Jr. and Michelle White from S. Antonio Tx.. Maj. Strom, Sarnow's son i law De Bilt/Memorial- Restance man Richard van Nunen Jan.6-2006 Veghel, Holland /Awards for Resistance hero Attendees Afees Annual 2010 Col.. Springs (2) 2010: Message from Spain for attending escapee-kids (-3-) Gisela Burkert, daughter of the Luftwaffe pilot messaged the attendeesnce Dogtag Sarnow 'home' after 75 years. Dutch Bert Monster, frmr Resistance C-Holland Dogtag Sarnow on it's way 'home' after 75 years. (-4-) US Afees Reward for Richard van Nunen Jan 6-2006: Co de Swart handing Richard van Nunen Surprise Robbie and Regina Sarnow, happy with their father's 'Belgian found' dogtag -2- Holland 2006 Escapelinehelper van Nunen Holland honoured and intervieuwed IMG 0381 -3- Richard van Nunen -4- Dear Stacy Parker Ferrati coming over to Holland to honour her Uncle Jim Parker Story now on THIS gallery-site/ EARLLIER 'GALLERY' IS NON ACTIVE May 2008 Stacy Parker Ferratti at the Memorial Margraten Holland 2008 Ann Becker Russell at gravesite uncle Aäron Becker a 'Thank You' from Co de Swart The two at the Memorial in De Bilt Dogtag Pilot B-17 42-30274 Walter Baker 166 Burkert Jr R studying family archive with Co de Swart San Antonio, TX, John White Jr. Family Mol , Belgium Hospital WWII German Luftwaffe /JG 26 Oblt. Erich M. Burkert/ 1943 Belgian Witness of Binnebose arrest Mr Frans Vleugels 21 Jan. 1944 :Fighterpilot Erich Burkert KIA over Laon, N-France Lille, Belgium, 2005: Meeting with Daughter of Resistance man Marcel Coppin German Mil. cemetery Bourdon, N- France 169-Sqn-photo-names 169-Sqn-photo 8thAF Museum , Pooler, Ga. 2011 Grave site German Luftwaffe pilot JG 26 in Bourdon, N-France Baker Crew Our Bay-Bee kids with Gen.USAF Mc. Nabb Margraten Mil. cemetery, Holland: regular visitors couple Co & Louise de Swart 8thAF Museum , Pooler, Ga. 2011 Researcher Co de Swart with 'his' Memorial/Monument 2010: US Afees Annual Col. Springs USA: Geoff Warren/Don Mills Jr./Co de Swart 2010: US Afees Annual Col. Springs USA: Don Mills Jr./Co de Swart/Afees'Secr.Jane Binnebose Robert Bousmanne 1945 Left: Couples Coppin and fiancee and Bousmanne 1945 175 IMG 0190 Bousmanne Statement on saving John White 176 Each year flowers at the Monument Bousmanne Statement page 2 De Bilt,NL: 2014. Pat Doherty/husband Tom Leary Bousmanne Statement page 3 Well, you know who...... Belgian Press Article to Baker Crew Story , Remembrance weekend, Aug 2018 Safe House 'Pyama House' of Otten Family, Erp, NL Bousmanne Grave site Safe House 'Pyama House' of Otten Family, Erp, NL 2012, France: L: Couple de Conche-Bousmanne Pat Doherty, still impressed and emotional, why? 2014: Pat (Doherty) & Tom Leary in the garden of Pollaert Jr. US Army Awarding Document for Emile Joris, Belgian helper 2014>Pat & Tom> Meeting Gorris-and Pollaert fam.mbrs with Co & Louise de Swart Pooler, Ga. USA 8th USAF Memorial WWII 2014> visiting a WWII Safe house of her father 8thAF Annual 2013: Yvonne Brusselmans, frmr Pres. of AFEES Roermond: Relaxing and 'good bay' in the Pollaert Garden after emotional vists Savannah/Pooler, Ga: Speeches and remembering the Baker Crew Tilburg NL: 2014. Pat Doherty/husband Tom Leary Pooler Ga.: John White Jr. remembering the Fathers, crewmbrs of b-17 42-30274 187 Remembrance Stone for Aunt Coba Robbie Sarnow and husband preparing the wreath in 8thAF Museum De Bilt, NL>May 4- 2014: Pat Doherty-Tom Leary attanding May 4 Remembrance Jane and 'Bill' Binnebose at the plaques in the Memorial 2015, Bachy, Belgium. Special day for Cometline helper John & Mireille White at the plaque-wall Pooler Ga. Helper Comet Escapeline Henriette Hanotte, 1942-1944 Pooler, Ga : Baker Crew kids together again 2013 > 8th AF Museum Pooler, Ga. -2- 2015, Bachy, Belgium. Special day for Cometline helper B17- and it's Baker Crew nicknamed 'OurBay-Bee' 2015, Bachy, B :Honoring Ceremonies for Henriette Hanotte May 9-2015 Bachy, B. helper WWII Cometline with Don Mills Jr. Grave site Crew mbr. Walter McDermott Moving Moments between Mills Jr. and Henriette Hanotte. Mol, Belgium 2017 > Memorial at crashsite ready B-17 Baker Crew Memorial Margraten, Holland: 2015 > Mills Jr. at the Gravesite of one of his Father's buddies KIA.ies 196 DSCN1000 Mo.Aug.20-2018: Belgian Paper on Our Baby Kids weekend 2019 Don Mills Jr. and Co de Swart at the Memorial in De Bilt, NL Belgian Daily Aug. 20-2018 , > 2 < Mol, Belgium Aug. 2018: Wim Govers, Secr. Hist. Soc. Mol ... Great Meeting Aug 18/2018 Crewkinship........ Thanks and note 2018-09-29 Chute landing site of Bomb. Don Mills Sr Louise and Co de Swart attending John White Jr. Boardmbr US Afees, see below 2018, Eerde, Holland: Two local wittnesses ( 93/97 !) of the Chuting down of Mills Sr. in 1943 2018: Co de Swart/Cor Vervoort( Author of a book on thee war in he Eerde area) Special visit of 'Don' Mills Jr. and his sister 'Muffet' John White Jr. telling the AFEES' Story Bomb .Mills' kinship visiting Memorial for Five of the Crew KIA De Bilt Rogier de Tavernier, see below Brigitte d'Oultremond, Pres. of Comet Escapeline Remembrance Ass. Eerde, Holland. Sep-2019 Bomb. Mills' kids/Emotional Moments Albert Francois Sols, Belgian Army/Resistance 1941-1944 Very happy to meet: Albert F Schols Belgisch Verzet De Kempen WWII Angelique Fruythof Very happy to meet at last..... Photo s Resistance people Overpelt/ Eksel, Belgium Resistance Bert Spooren family Belgium On behalf of US 8thAF Hist. Soc: Flowers at the memorial, Postwar shot of Charles Willekens, who lead Mills to Antwerp Liliane Sols German OKL Confirmation: Burkert credited for this 'kill' Mol,Belgium, August 18/19-2018 DUTCH RESEARCHER AIRWAR WWII INITIATES EXCEPTIONAL MEETING-1- DUTCH RESEARCHER AIRWAR WWII INITIATES EXCEPTIONAL MEETING - 2- Bomb. Don Mills in civil, please enlarge for story Bomb. Sarnow in civil in Belgium evading, fall 1943 Co-pilot Minnich already in civil evading, fall 1943 John White, escapee E & E 95 Info on Belgian traitor/doubleagent Rene van Muylem Story 96th BG Losses Oct.20-1943

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