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B-17G 'Hells Belles' (42-31115) Monument

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Details:

On the north side of the road.

Monument

The monument consists of an aircraft propeller placed on two aluminum hands resting on an aluminum column. A plaque containing the commemoration message and list of the crew members is attached to this column. Behind the propeller is a brick wall. The memorial is 2 meters high, 1 meter wide and 1 meter deep.

On February 10, 1944, on their return from a mission, the B-17G #42-31115 ('Hells Belles) was damaged by flak. On their approach to the Dutch coast, the crew bailed out. Their aircraft came down in this spot. The incident resulted in the deaths of 4 crew members.

Monument Text:

On the pedestal:

 

562TH

BOMBSQUADRON

8TH USAAF

388TH BOMBGROUP

B17G

FLYING FORTRESS

 

 

On the plaque:

 

ON FEBRUARY 10, 1944, AN AMERICAN B17 CRASHED AT THIS PLACE

BOMBER WITH SERIAL NUMBER 42.31115 DOWN,

IN WHICH FOUR OF THE TEN CREW MEMBERS WERE KILLED.

 

1ST LT JAMES ROBERT FEENEY PILOT KILLED IN ACTION

2ND LT SAMUEL CHARLES GUNDY CO-PILOT

2ND LT SAMUEL IRVING SIMON JR. NAVIGATOR

2ND LT JOHN CARPENTER DIRICKSON BOMBARDIER

T/SGT NORMAN FRANK KAJUT RADIO OPERATOR KILLED IN ACTION

T/SGT CHARLES WILLIAM BALL ENGINEER

S/SGT WALTER JAMES LENNOUS BALLTURRET GUNNER

S/SGT MARION BOYD FORBIS WAISTGUNNER KILLED IN ACTION

S/SGT JOSEPH FRANCIS SMITH WAISTGUNNER

S/SGT LOUIS MARTIN LE FEVRE TAILGUNNER KILLED IN ACTION

 

LET US REMEMBER

 

 

Below the plaque:

 

THEY FELL AND SUFFERED FOR OUR FREEDOM

Commemorates:

People:

Charles William Ball

John Carpenter Dirickson

James Robert "Jim" Feeney

Marion Boyd Forbis

Samuel Charles Gundy

Norman Frank Kajut

Louis Martin Le Fevre

Walter James Lennous

Samuel Irving, Jr. Simon

Joseph Francis Smith

Units:

388th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

562nd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomb Group

8th Air Force

US Army Air Corps

Wars:

WWII

Other images :