Operation Market Garden
In September 1944, the Allies carried out Operation Market Garden. Operation 'Garden' was carried out on the ground: its objective was to take control of Holland, cutting German access to the country. Operation 'Market' was intended to capture and hold crossings over the canals and rivers from Eindhoven to Arnhem. It was the largest, most ambitious airborne operation ever staged. Nearly 5,000 aircraft were used to drop some 20,000 paratroopers, and nearly 14,000 troops in 2,600 gliders.
About RCAF 437 Squadron
"Royal Canadian Air Force 437 Squadron was formed in early September 1944, its Squadron Leader Wing Commander Sproule and Flight Lieutenant Joynt were the first members of the squadron to arrive at Blakehill Farm on the 4th of September 1944. Equipped with the Douglas Dakota and attached to 46 Group, RAF Transport Command, the squadron had nine crews operational by 15th September, two days prior to Operation 'Market'. On the 17th of September, 437 squadron flew its first operational flight, towing twelve Horsa gliders to the Arnhem area and six were safely delivered to the intended Landing Zone on the following day." (Arie-Jan Van Hees, Green On!")
RAF Blakehill Farm, September 21, 1944
Memorial at Blakehill Farm
"Today's re-supply serial involved 28 Dakota aircraft ...18 Dakotas of the 233 Squadron and 10 of the 437 Squadron. The latter unit would suffer its first casualties due to enemy action. Carrying 488 panniers, loaded with ammunition, food and medical supplies, the aircraft took off between 1310-1315 hours, led by Wing Commander William Coles of 233 Squadron. Three aircraft of 437 Squadron took off slightly later than the rest, between 1335-1337 hours and two of these 'tail end Charlie's,' flying in the rear of the whole resupply force, would suffer the consequences; they were amongst the nine Dakotas which would not return to base..."
The crash of KG 489
The crash was witnessed from this castle
The crash of those two Dakotas was witnessed by George Koskimaki, the radio operator for the 101st Airborne Division's Commanding Officer, General Maxwell D. Taylor, whose headquarters had just moved from Eindhoven to the castle Henkenshage, south of Sint Oedenrode. According to Koskimaki, "On the night of 20 September we moved the Division Command Post up to Sint Oedenrode and on the 21st an aerial resupply was dropped to us by C-47s..and two German fighter planes appeared from the clouds and quickly shot down two of them almost directly overhead. The crews didn't have a chance to bail out."
According to Arie-Jan Van Hees, author of Green On!, "KG 489 was hit by machine-gun and canon fire from the Focke-Wulf 190 fighters and badly hit. Apparently none of the flying crew and the air dispatchers had any chance to bale out and the aircraft was seen going down and disintegrating before hitting the ground. All aboard were killed and buried near the crash site. The aircraft crashed near the farm of Mr. Van de Ven, along the "Everse Akkerpad' at the village of Eerschot, just south of Sint Oedenrode and only a short distance from the 'corridor' or "Hell's Highway.'
According to Arie-Jan Van Hees, author of Green On!, "KG 489 was hit by machine-gun and canon fire from the Focke-Wulf 190 fighters and badly hit. Apparently none of the flying crew and the air dispatchers had any chance to bale out and the aircraft was seen going down and disintegrating before hitting the ground. All aboard were killed and buried near the crash site. The aircraft crashed near the farm of Mr. Van de Ven, along the "Everse Akkerpad' at the village of Eerschot, just south of Sint Oedenrode and only a short distance from the 'corridor' or "Hell's Highway.'
"Regrettably, one of the dead could not be identified and Charles Cressman was buried at Uden War Cemetery as an 'Unknown British Airman.'"
Thanks to the efforts of Messrs. Lex Roell and Jan Hey who both supplied information to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, enough substantial evidence was produced which eventually led to identification of the unknown airman. Flying Officer Charles Herbert Cressman received his own gravestone on Monday 24 August 1998.”
For many years, a propeller from KG 489 acted as a local monument. Unfortunately, the propeller was stolen in 2003.
Thanks to the efforts of Messrs. Lex Roell and Jan Hey who both supplied information to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, enough substantial evidence was produced which eventually led to identification of the unknown airman. Flying Officer Charles Herbert Cressman received his own gravestone on Monday 24 August 1998.”
For many years, a propeller from KG 489 acted as a local monument. Unfortunately, the propeller was stolen in 2003.
"Altogether it was a rather hard day for the newly-formed Squadron."
Related Links
Herb's entry in the Book of Remembrance, in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Map of Cressman Lake in Saskatchewan, honoring Charles Herbert Cressman
Photo gallery
Map of Cressman Lake in Saskatchewan, honoring Charles Herbert Cressman
Photo gallery
