Studiegroep Luchtoorlog 1939-1945

						2/Lt. Robert W. Harrington was the pilot of B-24 Liberator 41-28932 ‘Ramblin Wreck I’. The bomber was shot down by German fighters on the return flight from a bombing mission to Vechta airfield. Harrington managed to bail out and landed west of Steenwijk during which he hurt his ankle. He 'was given help immediately upon reaching the ground' by the farmer 'Teunis Blum' and his brother. They diposed Harrington's parachute, harness, may west and flying jacket. They also contacted the policeman Albertus van Olphen of Rozenstraat 3 in Steenwijk (nowadays a street in Steenwijk is named after him). Van Olphen was a member of the resistance and supplied Harrington with civilian clothes and took the American - still on 15 August - to the house of his brother-in-law Jan Kiezenbrink at Onnastraat 37 in Steenwijk. Probably in this house he also met the nose gunner, Sgt. William K. Meyer (E0634) and the bombardier, Robert G. 2/Lt. Borst (E0632). Because it was too risky to keep the three together, Borst and Meyer moved out the same day. Harrington remained in the house of Kiezenbrink until 1 January 1945. On this day he moved to another hiding place, but still in the same street: the house of G.M.A. Diemont at Onnastraat 5 in Steenwijk. Harrington was liberated here by Canadian troops on 13 April 1945.