Attached to the outside of the town hall on the left side set among other plaques.

A black polished marble inscribed plaque.

The plaque remembers the B-24 Bomber Groups of the US 8^th Air Force which dropped supplies during “Operation Varsity” in March 1945 in Germany. 240 B-24 bombers took part in the low-flying resupply drops; 15 were shot down and 104 were badly damaged.

Operation Varsity (24 March 1945) was a successful airborne forces operation launched by Allied troops that took place toward the end of World War II. Involving more than 16,000 paratroopers and several thousand aircraft, it was the largest airborne operation in history to be conducted on a single day and in one location.

The plaque was dedicated in 2001.

The text on the plaque is written in English and German.  The English reads:

Bomb Group                                      8^th AF                                Bomb Group

44                                                                                                        446

93                                                                                                        448

389                                                                                                      453

392                                                                                                      491

With deep appreciation to the citizens of Hamminkeln for allowing this memorial plaque dedicated to the USAF men who gave their lives during “Operation Varsity” supply drop missions 24 March 1945. We build a bridge between our people to set aside the past and come together to honor these brave men who are now united at peace where there is no war.

Family and friends of the B-24 Crews.

19/09/2001