B-17 (42-37867) 'Berlin Ambassador' Crash Memorial
Details:
Just off the roadside.
MonumentA stone with several inscribed brass plaques attached to the front, with a propeller-shaped sculpture next to it.
The memorial remembers the crew of the B-17 (42-37867) 'Berlin Ambassador' of the 561st Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group that crashed here on January 11, 1944. After being shot down, the crew avoided crashing into the town during its descent. Pilot Hoehn stayed in the cockpit to lead the others to bail out. In the last moment, the B-17 cleared a built-up area and crashed near a dyke.
B-17 42-37867 / BERLIN AMBASSADOR Crew and status:
Pilot: 2LT George Gustav Hoehn KIA
Co-Pilot: 2LT George R. Owens POW
Navigator: 2LT Donald S. Modarelli KIA shot, KIA
Bombadier: 2LT Lieudell E. Bauer Evaded, later captured in Maastricht, POW
Engineer/Top Turret: S/SGT Charles C. Rigdon, POW
Radio Operator T/SGT Byron A. Wiberg Jr., WIA, Died
Bottom Turret: S/SGT Peter J. Zaskiewicz KIA -
Waist Gunner: S/SGT Harlan S. Mann, WIA, POW
Waist Gunner S/SGT Edward W. Hincks Jr., KIA Killed in the air
Tail Gunner: SGT Gerard F. Brinker POW
Source of information and photos:
Traces of War, http://www.teunispats.nl/t3306.htm;
https://www.zzairwar.nl/dossiers/347.html
Monument Text:
Text on the memorial:
In memory of the brave young men who saved our town from a disaster
On 11 January 1944, a B-17 "Flying Fortress" of the 388th Bomb Group (H) of the American 8th Airforce crashed on this location. Five crewmembers were killed.
The plaques also contain the names of all the crewmembers (see above)
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
388th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
561st Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
Resistance
United States Air Force
United States Army
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
