On the spot where exactly 80 years ago crashed a Spitfire, a monument was revealed today in memory of Norwegian pilot Rolf Arne Berg. The unveiling took place on the Kosterrijweg in Eelde and was performed by the Norwegian ambassador in the Netherlands, Erling Rimestad, and mayor Marcel Thijsen of the municipality of Tynaarlo.
Berg, an experienced fighter pilot, died at the age of 27 when his aircraft was hit by German anti-aircraft guns. He was one of the Norwegians who, after the German occupation of their country, brewed to Great Britain and joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). In England he played an important role in coastal monitoring and delivered air support during D-Day and later Allied operations in Europe.
On the day of his death, Berg was about to leave leave. When he heard about German planes that stood on the ground at an airport near Groningen, he decided to fly a final mission. Above Eelde his spitfire was hit and crashed on a shed.
With the monument, his courage and commitment are permanently remembered.