Studiegroep Luchtoorlog 1939-1945

Evaders


Evader chart: E0862
SGLO Date crash Aircraft
T4544 15-10-44 Halifax
MilRank First Name(s) Name
P/O. James Arthur Horwood
Milregnr. Nationality Born
J/86862 Canadian
Returned Y/N Evader Fate Date Captured/Liberated Place Captured/Liberated Escape Line
Yes EVD 15 Apr 45 Gaastmeer -
Evader Story
						P/O. James Arthus Horwood rear gunner of Halifax LL293. This bomber was tasked to drop supplies for the resistance at 'Rummy 6', a drop zone in Holland. The Halifax wouldn't reach it's 'target'. Near Hoorn the bomber was hit by light flak in the tail section. Taylor managed to ditch the heavily damaged bomber at around 2 AM in the IJsselmeer between Stavoren and Skarl. Only just in time the crew managed to get a dinghy out. One crew member, the bomb aimer, W/O. H.L. Ferguson, didn't get out in time and drowned. The other five, Horwood, F/O. W.B. Taylor (E0865); F/O. W. McGechie (E0863); F/Sgt. A. Springate (E0864) and Sgt. J. Campbell (E0861), got in the dinghy unharmed and came ashore near Skarl at around 3.30 AM. Taylor and McGechie climbed on the dyke to reconnaissance the area, while the rest of the crew cut the dinghy in pieces and threw the parts back in the water. Behind the dyke they soon came across a canal. They first walked in easterly direction to find a bridge, but after a while turned around and now walked in the direction of Stavoren. Now they found a bridge and crossed it. They hid their may wests and walked further to Stavoren. Shortly after they hear a horse and cart approaching. On the cart were Johannes Visser and his sister Pietje Visser, who were on their way to milk their cows. After some moments of hesitation the brother and sister decided to help. They took the five on the cart and while Johannes went milking the cows, Pietje brought them to the farm of Family Harmen and Antje de Boer at the Middelwei in the Zuidermeerpolder near Stavoren. The five were helped immediately here. They received a meal and dry clothes. It was too dangerous to stay here for long. That same afternoon (15 October) Matthijs Westra, living at Gaastmeer 77 in Gaastmeer, and Rinze de Groot left with a rowing boat Gaastmeer and rowed to the farm of Family De Boer. After five hours they arrived at the Warnsvaart and walked to the farm. At midnight they left with the five airmen. At 4 AM on 16 October they arrived safely in Gaastmeer. The five went first to the farm 'Vlietzicht' of Family Hermannus Nicoalaas Kooistra at Nijhuizum 3 (Post Heeg). The hid here in the hay of the farm for one day. From 17 October the group was split up.  The five airmen rotated in two's and three's between several addresses. The five hid in the houses of Family Joh. Haanstra at Gaastmeer 76 (Campbell and Taylor); Family Louwrens Wildschut at Gaastmeer 58 (Campbell, Taylor, Horwood and McGechie); Family Pieter Hijlkema at Gaastmeer 10 (Campbell, Springate and McGechie); Family Klaas Bakker at Gaastmeer 107 (Horwood, Springate and McGechie) and Antje Attema-de Witte at Groenterp Campbell, Springate and McGechie). They would hide in this area until the liberation by Canadian troops on 15 April 1945.






 


						
Source(s)
* National Archives, Washington, Helper Files, 286718544, 'Westra, Matthijs'
* 286657556, 'Haanstra, Joh.'
* 286719289, 'L. Wildshut'
* 286668401, 'H. Kooistra'
* 286660560, 'P. Hijlkema'. Jan J. van der Veer, De luchtoorlog boven Zuidwest-Friesland '40-'45 (Bolsward 1980), page 292-298
*