On the east side of the road.

A rectangular commemorative plaque mounted on a slanted metal pedestal features an image of the B-26 Marauder "Chickasaw Chief" and bilingual Dutch and English inscriptions describing how the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing near De Meije on May 17, 1943, after being struck by debris from a mid-air collision between two other B-26 Marauders. The plaque also lists the names and positions of the six crew members. The monument was unveiled on May 16, 2026, through a joint effort of the 4 May Commemoration Bodegraven Foundation and the Municipality of Bodegraven-Reeuwijk. The project originated from an initiative led by Marcel Meijer and Kees Spaamer.

Source of photos: Kees Spaamer, www.findagrave.com

First column text:

Op 17 mei 1943 verongelukten aan de noordkant van Bodegraven twee B-26 Marauders van het Amerikaanse 452 Bomb Squadron. Een derde toestel, genaamd "Chickasaw Chief", werd door brokstukken geraakt en maakte een noodlanding in de weilanden voor u.

De bemanningsleden overleefden en werden krijgsgevangen gemaakt.

B-26 Marauder 41-17999 DR-W "Chickasaw Chief"

Second column text:

On May 17, 1943 two B-26 Marauders of the US 452 Bomb Squadron collided just north of Bodegraven.

A third aircraft, called "Chickasaw Chief" was hit by debris and made a forced landing on the fields in front of you.

The crew survived and was taken prisoner of war.