During our visit to LEGOLAND I found out there was a small memorial sight in the nearby city of Grinsted. As someone who is interested in anything World War 2 related, I had to have a look! Especially since it took the Axis only 6 hours to conquer Denmark, I was curious what to find here.

And – to be honest – it is not much, but still interesting to see. You’ll find a simple stone engraved with the names and details of the fallen crew members, surrounded by a peaceful setting. The area includes small plaques explaining the events of April 1944 and the broader context of the air war over Jutland. The story I will share with you, as the pictures I took while visiting.

he Lancaster Crash Near Filskov – A Forgotten Story from April 1944

On April 10, 1944, during the height of World War II, a British Lancaster bomber crashed near the railway between Filskov and Blåhøj in Denmark. This tragic event is a small but powerful reminder of the dangers faced by Allied aircrews and the resilience of those who survived.

The Mission

The Lancaster III, ND675, part of the Royal Air Force, took off from Grimsby at 21:23 with 102 other bombers. Their mission: to lay mines in Danzig Bay near Gdansk, Poland, at an altitude of 5 kilometers. After completing the task, the crew set course back west toward England.

But over Jutland, the crew witnessed another aircraft in their formation being shot down near Fårup by Jelling—a grim sign of what was to come.

The Attack

At 03:12 near Grindsted, the Lancaster changed course. Moments later, it was attacked by a German night fighter, a Junkers Ju88. Enemy fire damaged the aircraft severely, igniting the bomb bay and cutting control cables. The pilot lost control, and the plane began a desperate descent from 6–7 kilometers altitude.

The Crash

Four bombs fell to the ground and exploded without creating craters. The aircraft itself exploded about 500 meters from the railway, scattering debris across the fields. At 04:00, the Lancaster hit the ground near Katrine Mikkelsen’s farm “Nørgaard.” Most of the crew perished in the crash.

The Crew

The Lancaster carried seven men:

  • Pilot: Alexander G. Dichie
  • Rear Gunner: Arthur W. Price
  • Mechanic: William Banks
  • Bomb Aimer: Ray R. Lamb
  • Radio Operator: Reg. Massey
  • Mid-Upper Gunner: W. Rayment
  • Navigator: Arthur White

Arthur White miraculously survived. He parachuted into a field and hid in hedges until daylight, saving his life.

Survivors and Escape

Two crew members died instantly. Five managed to bail out and were captured by German forces and interned at Sønder Omme. One crew member escaped with help from the Danish resistance, who hid him in Copenhagen. From there, he reached Sweden and eventually returned to England on May 2.

The Bigger Picture

Spring 1944 was a dramatic time in Denmark. Resistance movements were growing, sabotage operations increased, and Allied air raids intensified as preparations for D-Day were underway. The Gestapo headquarters in Jutland was bombed several times, and resistance groups risked everything to fight back.

Why This Story Matters

This crash site near Filskov is more than a historical footnote—it’s a testament to courage, sacrifice, and the human cost of war. Visiting these memorials reminds us of the lives lost and the bravery of those who fought for freedom.