Three Lancasters Monument, Kortrijk/Bissegem

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On the night of 20/21 July 1944, Bomber Command sent 302 Lancasters and 15 Mosquitos against the railway yards at Kortrijk, a crucial supply route behind German lines in occupied Belgium. Approximately 250 Belgian civilians died in the city and suburbs — a catastrophe that overshadowed the military objective in local memory for decades.

Three of the Lancasters failed to return in the Kortrijk area. W4967 of 101 Squadron — an ABC (Airborne Cigar) electronic-countermeasures aircraft carrying a dedicated eighth crew member to operate jamming equipment — was shot down by Fw Karl Beyer of 1./NJG 4 and came down near the Karmelietenklooster in the city centre. LM101 of 467 Squadron RAAF crashed near Marke on the south-western outskirts; the cause of loss for LM101 has not been confirmed from the sources consulted. PD205 of 9 Squadron was brought down by anti-aircraft fire from 1./Flak-Regiment 53 (not a nightfighter, as sometimes stated) and came down closer to the Leie at Bissegem, where the monument now stands. Twenty-one men died across the three aircraft; one — WO2 Noble of W4967 — survived injured as a prisoner.

The granite tail-fin monument unveiled in 2009 was the product of local Belgian initiative, designed to give the three crews a single visible point of remembrance in the landscape where they fell. The attendance of John Elliott, brother of Sgt Thomas Elliott of PD205, at the 2009 dedication illustrated the direct family connection that such local memorials sustain.

Monument designed by local Belgian sculptor Etienne Vanackere. John Elliott, brother of Sgt Thomas Elliott of PD205 (9 Squadron), attended the 2009 dedication ceremony. Monument relocated 2022 as part of a local bridge infrastructure project. Hangar Flying heritage organisation documents the site.

Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.