Netherlands to honour NZ airmen

A military funeral in the Netherlands this month will honour two New Zealanders and the rest of the crew of a World War II bomber shot down in 1942.

Air bomber Sergeant Leonard Moss and rear gunner Flight Sergeant Glen Smith were among seven men aboard the Stirling that was shot down above the Dutch town of Delden.

Mr Smith's body was recovered at the time, with two other crew members who were not identified.

The remaining bodies were not discovered until the Royal Netherlands Air Force excavated the crash site in May last year.

A memorial service will be held at the Oude Blasius Church in Delden on the morning of August 31 to honour the entire crew.

The bodies of the airmen will then be transported to Delden cemetery, where they will be buried beside Smith's grave.

Members of the Queen's Colour Squadron of the RAF will lead the funeral procession.

At the burial there will be a flypast by a Tornado GR4 aircraft from a Scottish RAF base, and a bugler will play the Last Post.

New Zealand Ambassador to the Netherlands Rachel Fry will represent the RNZAF.

In the afternoon a memorial will be unveiled at the crash site. This will consist of a stone from England and a 820kg volcanic stone shipped to the Netherlands from Whitianga.

Moss's family will attend the service.

- NZPA