Royal New Zealand Air Force War Graves in Noord-Holland
Middenmeer General Cemetery
Percy Fisher Watson
Grave 1449.
F/S P.F. Watson - 415569
Son of George Daniel Watson and of Margaret Watson (nee Little), of Ngapara, Otago, New Zealand; husband of Barbara Calder Watson, of Oamaru, Otago.
Son of George Daniel Watson and of Margaret Watson (nee Little), of Ngapara, Otago, New Zealand; husband of Barbara Calder Watson, of Oamaru, Otago.
Halifax B.II, JN884/'NP-F', of 158 Squadron, RAF, took-off at 22.39 hrs, on 25th July, 1943, from RAF Lissett. The target for this night's offensive was Essen in Germany. On reaching the Dutch coast, the bomber was intercepted and attacked by a German night fighter. JN884 crashed at 00.17 hrs on 26th July, North of Middenmeer. Only one crew member survived, after a remarkable escape from the aircraft. Sgt J. E. Loudoun* lost his parachute pack on leaving the bomber, but somehow managed to grab the parachute as he fell earthwards. He was made prisoner.
His fellow crew members were buried here in Middenmeer General Cemetery:
Sgt Kenneth Richard Larkin, RAF
Sgt James Stewart, RAF
Sgt Percy Fisher Watson, RNZAF
Sgt Edward Raymond Bray, RAF
Sgt Roy Desmond Raven, RAF
Sgt Ronald Joseph Wyatt-Matthews, RAF
His fellow crew members were buried here in Middenmeer General Cemetery:
Sgt Kenneth Richard Larkin, RAF
Sgt James Stewart, RAF
Sgt Percy Fisher Watson, RNZAF
Sgt Edward Raymond Bray, RAF
Sgt Roy Desmond Raven, RAF
Sgt Ronald Joseph Wyatt-Matthews, RAF
Notes.
Mr Kees Wor of Wieringermeer brought the name of Sgt Loudoun to our attention. His surname is misspelt in several sources as 'Louden'. Loudoun is the correct surname.
Mr Kees Wor of Wieringermeer brought the name of Sgt Loudoun to our attention. His surname is misspelt in several sources as 'Louden'. Loudoun is the correct surname.
The loss of this Halifax was attributed to Uffz Arthur Busch of 2./NJG 5 (but detached to 10./NJG 1). Under the guidance of the 'Salzhering' GCI-station, he attacked the aircraft at a height of 6.300 metres over Slootdorp, 13 kilometres to the East of Schagen.
(source: Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943, Part 2, p.39)
(source: Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943, Part 2, p.39)
Sources:
BCL, Vol.V, 1943, p.242
BCL, Vol.V, 1943, p.242
Nachtjagd Combat Archive (NCA) 1943, Part 2, p.39
Footprints on the Sand of Time, Appendix I, p.347