Carl M. Heintz served in the 861st Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant during World War II.

14th June 1944, mission no. 6, eight days after the D-Day landings. The targets were German-held airfields in France. Take-off begins at 03.00 hrs, and after a successful mission, aircraft begin to return to Base around 09.00 hrs. B24 Liberator No.41-29569 named “Cock of the Sky” allowed other aircraft to land first. With one engine out of action and significant flak damage. On their final approach to the runway at Debach, the ground controller realized that they were too high to make a successful landing and they were told to overshoot and approach again. They were heading towards Melton at about 1,000ft when it all went wrong. When they turned in the circuit pattern, the wing holding the dead engine stalled, and the aircraft went into a spin and hit the ground. The crash was reported by the local police at 09.15 hrs – the machine was seen to bank sharply and roll on its back – crashing just behind St. Audry’s Hospital on the grounds of Foxborrow Hall. Petrol exploded, and the machine disintegrated. The Fire Service from Woodbridge promptly attended, followed by USAF personnel from Debach. The crash damaged only an acre of growing crops farmed by Mr. F. Smith of Woodbridge.

Source of information: 493bgdebach.co.uk