Post by Leendert Smit on Oct 31, 2011 15:27:23 GMT
I'm researching the crashlanding of a B-17 of the USAAF in Holland on February 22nd, 1944 and the events of the crew. The pilot, 1st Lt Charles D. Crook, evaded capture for over 6 months by hiding through the Underground in Holland all over the country.
On september 24th, 1944 the village Deurne (situated ab 20 miles east of Eindhoven) was liberated as a result of Market Garden by the 23rd Hussars and the 3rd Royal Tanks.
One of Crook's sons wrote me:"From what I recall in conversations with dad - He was still in Holland when a British Armored unit came thru the town and liberated them. I don't recall what town he was in but he said the British Tanks/armor came driving the Germans out. Once the town was clear he spoke to the British Officers and they sent a message out stating they recovered a US pilot".
In his E&E report Crook mentioned that he was liberated in the Dutch village Deurne. That was on september 24th. He also stated that one of his Underground helpers was a doctor in a small village near Deurne. Dutch sources said he was in the hamlet Zeilberg. In that case he had to be liberated by a squadron of 3RTR.
From the Customs Service Manager of the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh I got an extract of the official history of the 3rd batallion of the Monmouthshire Regiment, dated sept 23rd, 1944, saying: "At dawn the Battalion entanked with the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment and proceeded northwards along the main highway towards Deurne" and "During the action, "A" Company and a squadron of tanks were sent to advance into Deurne from the east through the village of Zijlberg (...) At midday "A" and "D" Companies converged, meeting at the town centre".
As Crook jr recalled the conversations with his dad, British Tankofficers in Deurne had sent out a message discovering an American pilot.
I suppose that somewhere that message is kept in the report of the sender (one of the officers) or of the receiver. (I suppose batalions or regimental staff of 3TRT.
Have you any idea where I can find the reports of that day (september 24th, 1944). The next of kin of lt Crook are anxious to know what happened with their dad during his evading in Holland. I have almost found all the places where had been in those 6 month's, but this is still one of the puzzle pieces I couldn't discover till now.
Any suggestion is wellcome.
thanks in advance
Leendert Smit
Houten, the Netherlands
smitcons@planet.nl
On september 24th, 1944 the village Deurne (situated ab 20 miles east of Eindhoven) was liberated as a result of Market Garden by the 23rd Hussars and the 3rd Royal Tanks.
One of Crook's sons wrote me:"From what I recall in conversations with dad - He was still in Holland when a British Armored unit came thru the town and liberated them. I don't recall what town he was in but he said the British Tanks/armor came driving the Germans out. Once the town was clear he spoke to the British Officers and they sent a message out stating they recovered a US pilot".
In his E&E report Crook mentioned that he was liberated in the Dutch village Deurne. That was on september 24th. He also stated that one of his Underground helpers was a doctor in a small village near Deurne. Dutch sources said he was in the hamlet Zeilberg. In that case he had to be liberated by a squadron of 3RTR.
From the Customs Service Manager of the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh I got an extract of the official history of the 3rd batallion of the Monmouthshire Regiment, dated sept 23rd, 1944, saying: "At dawn the Battalion entanked with the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment and proceeded northwards along the main highway towards Deurne" and "During the action, "A" Company and a squadron of tanks were sent to advance into Deurne from the east through the village of Zijlberg (...) At midday "A" and "D" Companies converged, meeting at the town centre".
As Crook jr recalled the conversations with his dad, British Tankofficers in Deurne had sent out a message discovering an American pilot.
I suppose that somewhere that message is kept in the report of the sender (one of the officers) or of the receiver. (I suppose batalions or regimental staff of 3TRT.
Have you any idea where I can find the reports of that day (september 24th, 1944). The next of kin of lt Crook are anxious to know what happened with their dad during his evading in Holland. I have almost found all the places where had been in those 6 month's, but this is still one of the puzzle pieces I couldn't discover till now.
Any suggestion is wellcome.
thanks in advance
Leendert Smit
Houten, the Netherlands
smitcons@planet.nl