On September 14th, precisely at 13:55, a historic Beechcraft flew over the recovery site of Leemans Aircraft Recovery on the expansive waters of the IJsselmeer, where seven wreaths had just been laid. This was done out of respect for and in memory of the 7 courageous crew members of the Lancaster ED603. The 30 relatives of these young men were visibly moved.
The day began with a visit to the visitor center. Relatives saw the initial wreckage pieces of Lancaster ED603, the aircraft that their loved ones perished with 80 years ago. Among them, a flywheel, one of the four engines, and the radio of the airplane were on display. Later that day, the visitor center opened to the public.
Admiration for the sacrifices of seven brave, young men
After all the attendees had boarded the Regina Andrea ship, Mayor Jannewietske de Vries opened her speech with “Eric Arthur Tilbury… Harold Elvin Howsam… Arthur Bertram Smart… Charles Fredrick Sprack… Raymond Edward Moore… Arthur Gordon Fletcher… Gordon Robert Sugar… The seven brave, young men who gave their lives for the freedom of others.”