David A. Brigden & Hans Wulff
On Hitler’s personal orders, the Luftwaffe attacked Allied airfields in northern France, Belgium, and the southern Netherlands on January 1, 1945.
On Hitler’s personal orders, the Luftwaffe attacked Allied airfields in northern France, Belgium, and the southern Netherlands on January 1, 1945. As part of Operation Bodenplatte, Lieutenant Hans Wulff opened fire from his Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8 on the airfield under construction in Helmond. As he pulled away, he managed to hit the Spitfire piloted by Flying Officer David A. Brigden of the Canadian 442 Squadron. Brigden attempts to land on a construction site between Rouwkuilen and Steegsbroek in Ysselsteyn, but the aircraft rolls over and bursts into flames. Brigden does not survive. He has been laid to rest since the fall of 1945 at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, grave XVII.A.12.
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