Studiegroep Luchtoorlog 1939-1945

						Sgt. John Joseph (Jack) Reid was the bomb aimer of Halifax BB205. After bailing out he landed near Nijeholtpade. On 15 September 1942, at around 8 PM, Reid knocked on the door of Auke van der Schoot at Nijeholtpade 32. Auke opened the door and was shocked when he was confronted with the airman. Van der Schoot didn't speak English very well, but could make clear to Reid that he could come in. Auke van der Schoot’s wife Antonia made something to eat and Auke and Reid had a little ‘conversation’. Auke asked Jack if he was ‘J.J. Reid’ because a parachute with that name was found in a small forest nearby, called 'Bosje van Brouwer'. Jack confirmed he was. He then showed Auke different maps including one of The Netherlands. Jack asked if he could tell him where he was and Auke drew a cross on the map. This map also showed the route the crew had to fly from their base to their target, Bremen. As a gift Jack gave Auke his silk scarf escape map of The Netherlands. Auke then asked if Jack wanted to stay for the night but Reid wanted to go. They gave him some apples and cigarettes and he went away. That night Jack walked for a short distance and probably slept in the forest or a barn. The next morning (September 16th 1942) he knocked on the door of Hendrik and Femmigje de Vries at the Boveweg 1, Oldeholtpade (now Stellingenweg 68). Here Jack also asked for help. Hendrik let him in but couldn’t understand him. Jack was given some food and drinks, but Hendrik also warned the local police. Policeman Sijmon Koopmans came, arrested Jack and then took him to Wolvega. At 10 o'clock in the morning of 16 September, Jack was handed over to the Germans. He ended up at Stalag VIIIB at Lamsdorf.