RNZAF Ramrod raid on Amsterdam. May 3rd 1943

[Alex van de Wetering]

The remaining Ventura's were still making their way to the target in Amsterdam, when Ventura AE780 / EG-S was the next to be attacked. The plane broke apart in mid air over the city centre of Amsterdam. The plane crashed at the "Van Bossestraat" damaging several houses and eventually ending up in the backyard of "Van Bossestraat 34". 3 of the crew were killed, along with 7 civilians. Gunner Sgt. Urlich was injured, but did survive the crash.

Reports in the city archives of Amsterdam show that plane pieces were found all over West Amsterdam.

For some perspective....the Van Bossestraat is just a few blocks away from where Anne Frank was hiding at the time, nowadays the Anne Frank house museum.
Anne also describes seeing an air battle over the city in her diary. Some suggest this was the Ventura that crashed at the Van Bossestraat, but she dates it as may 18 and mentions she heared that 4 Canadian crew members survived of the 6 man crew, which leads me to believe this had to be another plane and another occasion.....possibly from the raid on the Gas works in the South of Amsterdam on May 17.

crew:
Pilot F/O. S. McGowan
Nav ba F/O. E.G. Thornber (RCAF)
Wireless op Sgt. C.R. Smith
Air gunner Sgt. I.F. Urlich

The three crew members were buried at the Nieuwe Oosterbegraafplaats in Amsterdam.

https://www.verliesregister.studiegr...rea=&airfield=