During the Second World War, hundreds of Allied planes crashed in the IJsselmeer. In the night of 14 to 15 October 1944, a Halifax bomber crashed in the IJsselmeer near Stavoren. Five of the six crew members reached the coast and remained in Gaastmeer until the liberation in April 1945.
“Good night, my name is Ekke. Goodnight, my name is Bill, Jack and James. Resistance fighter Ekke Atsma from Leiderdorp remembers well how in 1944 he came face to face with three Canadians and two Englishmen. Ekke immediately arranged accommodation and initially the pilots were housed with a family in Stavoren.
Because it was too risky to stay all in one place, the crew members were moved to Gaastmeer. The resistance group Gaastmeer arranged the hiding places. Due to its poor accessibility by road and the many waters nearby, Gaastmeer was an ideal hiding place.
Two of the crew went to Greonterp near Blauwhuis. When the Germans wanted to carry out checks there, the two were taken back to Gaastmeer at night by rowing boat. On Sunday 15 April there is a big party, Gaastmeer and surroundings have been liberated. It was also a party for the Canadian and English pilots who were hiding in Gaastmeer and the surrounding area. When some villagers saw the crew members walking down the street after church, they shouted in surprise, "The Canadians are here!"
