Frederick J Gerritz
Military
Radio Operator
Crew #725 - John Suchiu Crew
466th BG - 787th BS
466th BG Historian
Object Number - UPL 16715 - TSGT Frederick J. Gerritz Radio Operator Crew #725 - John Suchiu Crew 466th BG - 787th BS
Evadee. Shot down by fighters and crashed at Mijenaleck on 8/15/44 in B-24 'Lady Lighting' #42-52597
Evaded Capture
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-425057
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Lady Lightning
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 786th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Buffalo, NY, USA | 19 August 1923 | |
|
Enlisted |
Buffalo, NY, USA | 20 January 1943 | |
|
Other Shot Down |
8351 Wapserveen, Netherlands | 15 August 1944 | |
|
Other Evaded Capture |
8338 Willemsoord, Netherlands | 15 August 1944 - 18 April 1945 | E S C A P E - A N D - E V A S I O N - R E P O R T On 15 Aug 1944 T/Sgt. Gerritz was on a mission to bomb an airport at Vechta, Germany (W-3860) On the return trip the plane was attacked by ME 109's and the crew was forced to bail out Sgt. Gerritz landed near Havelte, Holland (Z-9965). He evaded capture by the enemy and returned to Allied control on 13 Apr 1945 at Steenwijk, Holland (Z-9168). He was an evader for a period of 239 days. Following is a list of his helpers: FRANZ DUVON [GJALT DUPON], Steenwijkerwold, Holland, (Z-9168) Provided coveralls, a place to hide until night, a bicycle and two guides to take him to next stop. 5'11", dark hair, dark complexion, 170 lbs, 28 yrs. 17 Aug 1944 for one day. Gjalt Dupon - born 23 Sep 1893 - died 9 Apr 1963, Meppel - Age 69 Husband of Ms. Hiltje de Vries (wife) - born 13 Nov 1894 - died 02 Nov 1985 - Age 90 Steenwijkerwold should be Frederiksoord HARRY BENNIK [HENDRIKUS BENNIK], Rijksstraatweg No. 1 A, Willemsoord, Holland (Z-8871) Provided food and shelter for one day, 18 Aug 1944. Storekeeper in Willemsoord Manufacturing Store at "de Witte Paarden" Hendrikus Bennik - born 19 Dec 1893 - died 26 Nov 1959 - Age 66 Husband of Ms. Rembertha H. Luiken (wife) - born 13 May 1897 - died 03 Jul 1985 - Age 88 Sons of Hendrikus Bennik are Nico (1921), Theo, Antoon and Harry Bennik (b. Jan 1932) "We did have a total of 6 Airmen in our house, Gerritz, Rye and Borst are the names I do remember. Also familiy of Jim Tozer (KIA 23 Jun 1940) did visit our parents after the war A photo of Irishman Jim Tozer was hanging in our cafe in Gelderingen" - info Harry Bennik - 12 Oct 2010 23rd Jun 1940 - near Willemsoord - Blenheim R3688 - OM-? - crew (3) Esson, Tozer and Murchison - all KIA JOH VAN GLEEN [JOHANNES VAN SLEEN], Rijksstraatweg 273, Willemsoord, Holland (Z-88171) Provided two meals, 19 Aug 1944. Passed on to next stop. Johannes van Sleen - born 11 Jun 1904 - died 03 Sep 1986 - Age 84 Husband of Ms. Geertje Pit (wife) - born 21 Aug 1907 - died 15 Mar 1991 - Age 83 Neighbours of the Bennik family - info Lucas van Sleen (son) (b.1932) - 10 Oct 2010 Mrs. JANNAKE EBILLINGS or BILLINGS [JANNEKE IBELINGS], Willemsoord, Holland (Z-8871) House was named "Laanzicht" Provided food and shelter. Sgt. Gerritz was housed in a tent in a woods near her home and only went to her house for a bath. 19 Aug to 11 Sep 1944. A widow, 65 yrs., 5'6", 160 lbs., white hair. Janneke (Janna) Ibelings, widow of Jan van Vollenhoven, born 05 Dec 1917 - died 30 Oct 2006 - Age 88 widow, 65 yrs. = Mrs. Ibelings (mother of Janneke), owner of "Laanzicht" WILLIAM HOL [WILLEM HOL], Willemsoord, Holland (Z-8871) Provided food, shelter and clothing for 7½ months, 11 Sep 1944 to 18 Apr 1945. Game warden in the district of "Landgoed de Eese" 5'8", 155 lbs., 49 yrs, dark hair and mustache. Weintje Hol (wife) - Teunis Hol (son) C. STEGINK [CORNELIS STEGINK], Markt 19, Steenwijk, Holland (Z-9168) Underground agent in Steenwijk area. Supplied civilian clothes, some tobacco. Visited Sgt. Gerritz several times and advised him of the Allies progress. Cornelis Stegink - born 13 Mar 1913 - died 16 Jan 1996 - Age 85 - info 22 April 1945 - Escape and Evasion report #2973 - Additional info via drs. Henk Spreen - 02 Oct 2010 - PATS |
Revisions
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources
Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
Added puncuation to the "Description" of the "Evaded Capture" event.
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 8428 & Page 274 in the book SECOND AIR DIVISION by Turner Publishing Co, 1998 edition
