On the southeast corner of the intersection of Rue de Stambruges and Chausseé Brunehaut near the Belgian town of Stambruges.   Marker A small stone with a plaque on it denoting the crash site of the B-17 "Shack Rabbit III". On October 20, 1943, the B-17 was on its way from Snetterton Heath North of London, the target was a Bomb manufacturing plant near Aachen, Germany. On the way they were attacked by enemy fighter aircraft over Belgium and had to break away from the B-17 formation and became separated from the rest of the bombers. Two of the crew, Radio Operator Frederick William McManus and Tail Gunner George Carl Janser were killed during the attacks by the fighter aircraft. Fortunately the pilot was able to fight to keep the bomber aloft long enough for the remainder of the crew to bail out but an explosion separated the tail of the doomed bomber and it crashed not faOn October 20, 1943r from an enemy Luftwaffe airfield just 35 miles southwest of Brussels, Belgium.

US Air Force

10.20.1943