#Story

British bomber crashed in the center of Almelo

After the liberation of Almelo, there were two Allied soldiers who had survived the crash of a bomber in 1944. Edward Ravenhill and Alfred Roy Fellows had already parachuted from the aircraft near Hengelo on September 23, 1944, landing safely on the ground. The other six crew members went down with the bomber, which crashed in the center of Almelo.

On September 23, 1944, while returning from Germany, an English bomber was attacked over the German-Dutch border by three Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighters. One of the fighters opened fire, likely hitting one of the fuel tanks. That evening, the damaged bomber flew over Almelo and, at around 11:20 p.m., crashed in flames onto the Christian school and adjacent houses on Hofkampstraat.

The blaze was initially fought by the Bendien factory fire brigade, later assisted by the municipal fire department. By about 1:00 a.m., the fire was extinguished.

Six of the eight crew members died and are buried at the ’t Groenedael Municipal Cemetery. Six civilians were also killed. Edward Ravenhill (mid-upper gunner) was taken prisoner, liberated in April 1945, and returned to England. Alfred Roy Fellows (tail gunner) went into hiding, first in Bentelo and later in Hengelo.

Hofkampstraat, 7607 NJ Almelo

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