Studiegroep Luchtoorlog 1939-1945

An information panel, placed on a brown tubular frame. The information panel gives the story of the crash and the crew of the RAF Lancaster ED589.

The memorial reminds the residents of Hieslum that an English Lancaster bomber, the ED589, crashed just outside Hieslum on the night of 13 May 1943. The aircraft was part of a formation of 156 Lancasters and 12 Halifaxes and took off on 13 May at 21:42 from RAF base Bardney and was en route to Pilsen in Czechoslovakia to bomb a Škoda factory there. However, it was hit by Oblt. L. Linke of 12./NJG 1 in a German Messerschmitt Bf 110 Night Fighter. The Lancaster's crew decided to return to England. But the aircraft caught fire and then crashed at 23:51 between Hieslum and Parrega. Only the gunners, Sgt. John Charles Owen and Sgt James Buntin were identified. They are buried in the cemetery in Hieslum. The bodies of the other five crew members (all sergeants), have never been found. A reclining tombstone was unveiled for them in 1995 at the monument to the two gunners.