Memorial

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T/Sgt Milton C. Spangenberg was a fireman. He enlisted in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on 29 August 1942.

Before reaching the target, this B-17 was already hit by a German fighter. The damage caused them to lag behind the formation, making them easy prey for enemy fighters. Despite this, they managed to reach the target and drop their bombs.

On their way back, they were under constant attack. Over Friesland, at a height of 6 kilometers, the pilot, Robert E. Beatty, gave the order to bail out. Milton Spangenberg was sent to the back of the plane to warn crew members. On the way, crossing the narrow catwalk, for some reason, he fell out of the open bomb bay doors. Therefore, the crew in the back of the plane didn't receive the order.

T/Sgt Spangenberg's parachute didn't open in time. He landed in a pasture near the Koopmansweg in Zwaagwesteinde.

When both pilots had left the plane, it was over Hallum.

According to witnesses, only one engine was working and the plane was leaving a smoke trail. Flying on autopilot, the plane was gliding down towards the sea. Over the sea dyke, it turned to the land again. But it came so low it hit the ground. When it hit the ground, one of the wings broke off. The rest of the plane ploughed into the ground for 200 meters, tearing the plane apart. One of the main wheels flew over the sea dyke near Widow Westra’s house. The tail section stopped near a waterway.

Amongst the wreckage and scattered parts were found the bodies of five crew members. Three of them were killed, and two of them were still alive.

In total, five crew members were killed and five survived and were taken prisoner.

He was initially buried at the cemetery of Zwaagwesteinde on 16 December 1943. The villagers, who wanted to attend the funeral, were not allowed into the cemetery; they stood in the neighborhood. During the ceremony, they started singing the Dutch national anthem. A German soldier got furious and fell into a waterway, causing the crowd to cheer. The villagers later placed a stone on the grave. There is a war memorial in the Schoolstraat upon which Sgt. Spangenberg is remembered. He was reburied at Margraten on 8 November 1945.