2019 Bristol Hercules XVI Engine monument

Translation with the help of Google translate.

Location: Wilnis, roundabout Mijdrechtse Dwarsweg/N212 Ir. Enschedeweg, at the entrance of the P+R parking lot. Next to the Memorial column Vickers Wellington, 5 May 1943.

Tip: click on the pictures below to enlarge

Bristol Hercules XVI engine monument The engine is aimed at the place of crash, in the meadow behind the parking lot (behind the trees).

The engine comes from the Vickers Wellington bomber with the registration number HE727 and the “call sign “NA-K that crashed in Wilnis on the night of 4 to 5 May 1943. This engine was found during the salvage of the aircraft in 2002. It is a 14 cylinder two row radial engine with a power of 1675 hp. The engine was produced by the Bristol Aerospace Company in England and designed by Roy Fedden. Bristol Hercules engines were used in several British aircraft types during the Second World War, including the Lancaster and the Halifax, both four-engine bombers and the Beaufighter, a twin-engine bomber. (source: information sign of the monument).

The engine was exhibited in the former Museum De Ronde Venen, but after the closure of the museum the engine ended up in storage. On the initiative of the Historical Society De Proosdijlanden, the engine was restored and treated against weather influences. On Thursday, September 26, 2019, the engine was placed here and unveiled by Maarten Divendal, mayor of De Ronde Venen.

The Bristol Hercules XVI engine monument together with the Memorial column Vickers Wellington , 5 May 1943.

In connection with this monument…

1. De Memorial column Vickers Wellington, 5 mei 1943 is to the right of this engine.

2. Het Robert Moulton path, halfway to Wilnis-Dorp, the footpath over the old railway embankment is named after the pilot (April 2019).

3. In Wilnis Dorp (village): Memorial to fallen Canadian soldiers by Edwin Merks and their graves in the adjacent cemetery of the NH church.

The information sign and the cross – click on the photo to enlarge the sign. At the unveiling, Mr. Van Loo, on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion, placed this cross with the Commemorative Poppy and the text “We will remember them.”

The Bristol Hercules XVI engine during the restoration by company Fa. Koppers & van der Hulst (Wilnis). In order to make the engine itself stand out to the maximum, the photo has been cut out.

The impact karter. Because a wing had pulled a slot, water from the ditch could run into the crater. Photo Ton van Soest on 6 May 1943 – collection Piet Kroon

The plane disappeared almost immediately under water. Photo Ton van Soest 6 May 1943 – collection Piet Kroon. In the background the grass drying plant of Van der Vaart (stood on the site of the current P + R parking lot). Here, Paul van Leeuwen and Kobus Vis of the night shift, witnessed the crash of the plane around 2:30 in the early morning..

In the middle place of the impact and the excavation of the wreck in September 2002. The square above indicates the place where the Bristol Hercules XVI engine monument now stands next to the Memorial column Vickers Wellington. In the grove the carpool parking lot where the Van der Vaart grass drying plant used to be (photo above). The roundabout forms the intersection Ir. Enschedéweg (N212) and the Mijdrechts Dwarsweg. Photo collection Piet Kroon.

The restorers Nick Koppers (r) and Rodger van der Hulst (l) at the engine, after the unveiling on Thursday 26 September 2019. For more pictures see below. It is worth noting that these young men did the work selflessly. They thought it was very special to be part of this history. Design of the engine setup is by Freek van Rossum, architect

More about the history and photos: Luchtoorlog Waverveen en omstreken

Impression of the unveiling on 26 September 2019

Mr Rob Blans, chairman of the Historical Society De Proosdijlanden, has the floor. To his left project leader Mr Jan van Breukelen and mayor Maarten Divendal.

Attendees braved the drizzly rain.

Mayor Maarten Divendal

The unveiling by chairman Rob Blans (l), project leader Jan van Breukelen (m) and mayor Maarten Divendal (r).

The monument. The shine is due to the protective paint, not directly due to the drizzly rain.

The mayor reads the information board.

From the hands of chairman Blans, the mayor received a photo collage of the Memorial Sites air war De Ronde Venen WW II.

The photo collage by Henk Butink

In memory Piet Kroon (1939-2020)

On July 4, 2020, the man who did so much to give the fallen Canadian soldiers a dignified grave passed away.

Thanks in part to his great effort, the Vickers Wellington was solvaged in 2002 and the bodies of the crew members exhumed.

The fact that we can now also see the engine is also thanks to Piet.

Rest in peace.

HB.