Commemoration in Dronten, how?
An understandable question. Eastern Flevoland did not dry up until 1957. That is 12 years after the end of the Second World War. During the war years, bombers flew from England to Germany. It is estimated that about 120 aircraft crashed into what was then the IJsselmeer on the outward and return journeys. When the polder fell dry, the wrecks came into view. The reclamation and securing of the wrecks made it possible that, after decades, the relatives could finally bury their loved ones and give them a place.
1964: First May 4 commemoration
1965: Airman monument with propeller unveiled, scouting cooperates
1975: Airgunner Mick Smith is guest of honour at the May 4 commemoration
1980: 1st liberation fire to Dronten, Bill Pingle (crew member of the Lancaster ED375) unveils plaque
1984: Prince Bernhard visits Airgunners and Airmen's Monument
1985: Memorial service in Open Hof, 175 Airgunners present
1992: Het Kompas Primary School is the first adoption school of the kite monument
2006: Kite Monument moves to its current location on Meerpaalplein
2020: Due to corona measures, there are no Airgunners, there is no audience and Mayor Gebben stands on an empty Meerpaalplein
2022: Ron Powers is the last Airgunner present at the May 4 commemoration, delegation from Stewart's Melville College is present
2023: May 4 commemoration without Airgunners, there is an honor guard from the 11 Airmobile Brigade
2024: 60th May 4th Commemoration
Photo top left: Airgunners prominently present on the Meerpaalplein.
Photo top right: guests lay a wreath at the pilot monument.
Photo bottom left: Jan Rozendal, initiator and 1st chairman of the Dronten 4 May Commemoration Foundation.
Photo bottom right: Ron Powers was the last Airgunner present at the May 4 commemoration.
Photo top left: Eddy Schraa will sound the Last Post for the 35th time in 2024.
Photo top right: the Airgunners Association banner with the text 'vigilantia et virtute' (vigilance and courage) is a prominent piece in the Airgunners room in De Meerpaal.
Photo bottom left: the liberation fire has been coming to Dronten since 1980.
Photo bottom right: the veterans living in Dronten are also present at the commemoration.