A MAN from the Netherlands with an interest in World War II is hoping that Islanders can help him trace the history of a 20-year-old man from Grève d’Azette whose war plane crashed near his hometown in 1943.
Mike Kleinlugtebeld (37), who lives in Zwolle, Overijssel, wants to know more about Sergeant Rex Lake Le Page, of 44 Squadron, who was one of seven people on board a Lancaster on 1 May 1943 when it crashed in Dalfsen – ten kilometres from Mr Kleinlugtebeld’s home. All seven crew members died and were buried in Dalfsen.
Mr Kleinlugtebeld hopes to trace relatives of Sgt Le Page or anyone who can tell him more about him.
‘I am very interested in the air war over my country during World War II and especially in the county of Overijssel,’ said Mr Kleinlugtebeld. ‘Of each airplane that crashed I try to find as much information as possible. With the information I try to make a story which will help to remember another crew who gave their lives in my country during World War II.
‘I hope to get in contact with relatives or other people who can tell me more about Sgt Le Page and maybe have a photo of him. I also hope to find more information about the other crew members.’
Mr Kleinlugtebeld, who works in a finance company in Zwolle, said that thousands of airmen were killed in the Netherlands during World War II and are buried in hundreds of cemeteries. He wants to make sure that these men, including Sgt Le Page, are not forgotten.
‘They gave their young lives for our freedom,’ he said. ‘In the last few decades, many soldiers are remembered in books and monuments but there are still soldiers who are not remembered. This is not because of lack of interest but simply because there were so many who died. I want to make sure that the seven men who died on 1 May 1943 get the recognition and honour they deserve.’
Mr Kleinlugtebeld, who is married with two children, hopes to combine his research on other crashes and write a book.
‘With all the information from other crashes in and around my hometown maybe I will be able to write a book about all these brave men so that my generation and future generations will be able to read about them,’ he said.
If anyone has information for Mr Kleinlugtebeld, his e-mail address is kleinlugtebeld@home.nl
• Pictures : Mike Kleinlugtebeld with his children
• Sergeant Le Page’s grave in Dalfsen
