B-17 (42-5849) 'Hell's Belles II' Plaque -384th Bomber Group
Details:
On the exterior wall of the cemetery next to the church, under the church war memorial; on the northern side of the D29.
An arch-like frame surrounding a plaque with a cross on its top. The red lettering commemorates the town's dead, but the small plaque with black lettering underneath it honors the three crew members of "Hell's Belles II".
The memorial remembers the B-17 42-5849 Hell's Belles II of the 535th Bomber Squadron, 384th Bomber Group that crashed nearby on September 16, 1943 due to enemy aircraft after a mission to Nantes.
The crew included:
Pilot:John Butler, Evaded
Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Howard Turlington, Evaded
Co-pilot: Herman Wollenweber, POW
Navigator: Ed Knowling, POW
Bombardier: Burnia Martin, POW
Radio Operator: Preston Davis, POW
Tail gunner: Clarry Barnes, POW
Ball turret gunner: Herb May,KIA
Waist gunner: Marion Rogers, KIA,
Waist gunner: Walt Sword, KIA
Another memorial to B-17 that crashed nearby on the same mission: B-17 (42-29893) 'El Diablo' Crash Marker -379th Bomber Group. See site: Ercé-en-Lamée.
Source:
Missing Air Crew Report 722
American Air Museum in Britain website
www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
En memoire des aviateurs Americains du 384th BG
S.Sgt H.E MAY
Sgt M.C. ROGER
Sgt W.H. SWORD
Morts pour notre liberte a Champeaux le 16.09.1943
English translation:
In memory of the American aviators of the 384th BG
S.Sgt H.E MAY
Sgt M.C. ROGER
Sgt W.H. SWORD
Killed for our liberty over Champeaux on 09.16.1943
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
384th Bomb Group (Heavy)
547th Bomber Squadron, 384th Bomber Group
8th Air Force
United States Air Force
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
