THE Second World War has been over for more than half-a-century, but for many of those involved the memories of the sacrifices made are as fresh as ever.

In the early hours of March 13, 1941, the crew of an RAF bomber was killed when the plane blew up over a village in eastern Holland.

Now, despite the passing of the years, that community has paid a poignant tribute, unveiling a memorial in honour of the airmen.

The lumbering Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley took off from RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, on the evening of March 12, as 102 squadron set off on a mission over Berlin.

But it was attacked by a Messerschmitt as it flew over Holland and neared the German border.

The aircraft exploded at low altitude and debris was strewn over several farms at Noord-Deurningen, near Denekamp.

The bodies of both pilots, Flight Lieutenant Frank "Lofty" Long, 25, and Squadron Leader Archie Watts-Read, 35, were found severely burnt.

Airgunners Sergeant Vincent Hallas, 18, and Sergeant Ernest Goodall tried to escape by parachute, but died in the attempt.

The navigator, Sergeant William van Klaveren, 20, also parachuted from the stricken plane. He survived and was captured, but died two months later from diphtheria.

Sgt van Klaveren is buried in the allied cemetery in Berlin, while the other four lie in the town cemetery at Denekamp.

The design of the monument was inspired by the side view of the nose cone of a Whitley and the local village school has agreed to care for it, so that the memory will pass down to future generations.

Descendants of the crew were invited to the unveiling by villagers. Among them was John Lart, of Great Smeaton, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

"Frank Long, a New Zealander, was my stepfather, although I never knew him," said Mr Lart.

" He and my mother spent their brief honeymoon at the Busby Stoop Inn in October 1940."

"I thought that the ceremony would be a relatively casual affair, but in fact it was an extremely moving experience for all those involved."

Mr Lart was accompanied on the trip by his daughter-in-law, Leonora, and son Geoffrey, who works for Jaguar in Coventry, West Midlands, on the site where the Whitleys were built