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Posted by Dave on Fri Nov 30, 2001 06:50:43 PM
In reply top JB659 RAF Press Release posted by Tony on Fri Nov 30, 2001 05:34:42 PM
This from the vintage yahoo group...
MEDIA RELEASE
> DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
> PACC 478/01 Friday, 30 November 2001
>
> MISSING WWII AIRMEN LAID TO REST IN HOLLAND
>
> Australia has laid to rest two airmen tragically lost 57 years ago during
a night bombing mission over Germany.
>
> The two airmen, Pilot Officer Alan Hart (Pilot) from Harden/Murrumburra,
New South Wales, and Flight Sergeant Harold Boal (Navigator) from Barmah
East, Victoria, were part of a multinational crew aboard a Royal Air Force
(RAF) Lancaster bomber.
>
> The Lancaster, registration JB 659 OF-J, from 97 Squadron RAF, was
returning from a mission over Germany when it was shot down near the Dutch
coast on its return to England.
>
> The pilot, Alan Hart, and a Canadian crewmember were buried after the
crash, and the remaining crewmen were lost with the aircraft which was
driven deep into reclaimed muddy ground by the impact.
>
> Their recovery at the time was considered too difficult but the Royal
Netherlands Air Force was later able to conduct an excavation of the crash
site and the remains of the other five airmen were recovered and positively
identified.
>
> The Royal Australian Air Force assisted the next-of-kin of both Pilot
Officer Hart and Flight Sergeant Boal to attend memorial functions in
Holland this week.
>
> A memorial to the crew who died on 31 January 1944, was unveiled during a
special ceremony in Amsterdam. After a Church service the remains of the
crew were re-interred with full military honours at Zwanenburg General
Cemetery in Haarlemmermeer, Amsterdam.
>
> The RAAF is committed to the pursuit of laying missing aircrew to rest.
>
> Over 500 aircrew from world war two remain unaccounted for, mainly in the
Australia-Pacific region.
>
> Lest we forget.
>
>
>
> Media Contact:
> Richard Hogan, Defence Media Liaison Ph (02) 6265 2913 or 0419 621753
>
>