Memorial to B17 crew at Wargrave. Berks.

[airfields man]

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0012-21.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0013-18.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0014-16.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0015-16.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0001-106.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window-141.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0002-93.jpg

[airfields man]

Sorry about the first copy of the 1993 newspaper story, second one from the Henley Standard of July 22nd 1977 covers most of it. This is under the heading, Airmen Who died for Wargrave. How ironical that nine of the ten crew members should die in an appropriately named place. I have made several enquires as to any memorial that should definately be here. As of yet there is nothing that I know of... My small display at home with the 384th BG Memorial window from Grafton Underwood church.

[airfields man]

Checking through Roger Freemans Mighty Eighth War Diary for the same date it mentions this crash, also the crash of another B-17. This time from the 305th BG that crashed nearby at Shiplake Bend eight crew killed. Strange theres no mention in either newspaper??

[airfields man]

Earlier this week I was informed that no memorial of any kind exists to the 384th BG crew who were killed around Wargrave on November 13th 1943. I have posted-up some information plus my little photograph memorial too this crew on here somewhere quite a while back. Well it's about time that this crew are remembered in some respectable way !! Maybe after re-awakening this memory too those in the local History Group something may at last start to move along these lines...

[Denis]

....Or you could Paul;) PM sent.

[airfields man]

As a matter of interest, the bottle supporting the Stars + Stripes flag behind the photograph of this crew came from the Little Staughton dump area. It's an American Hair-cream bottle given too me by a friend from the ARS..Aircrew Remembrance Society, about 10 years ago.

[NJD]

Sadly five 8th AF aircraft crashed in the area after flying through a thunderstorm. Being in formation the storm couldn't be avoided by some. From memory, one crashed near Chipping Norton, one at Princes Risborough, Wargrave, struggling now mmmm, Great Hasely, can't remember the last at the moment but, I'll hunt out the info and post it later. Sorry about that.

[P Bellamy]

From the AAF Overseas Accident report index for that day:



B-17F
41-24575
544BS
384BG
Fatal Crash
Wargrave


B-17G
42-31038
367BS
306BG
Fatal Crash: Weather
Longwick


B-17F
42-30821
407BS
92BG
Fatal Crash: Structural Failure
Marlborough Farm, North End


B-17F
42-3142
368BS
306BG
Fatal Crash: Weather
Great Halsey


B-17F
42-30213
562BS
388BG
Bailed Out: Engine Failure
Near Beccles


All the best,
PB

[spuduka]

Just did a bit on the Halifax crash in Wallingford so I'll check out Wargrave next, Prices Risbrough and Great Hasely are not so far away either so if you post the info I'll look.

[airfields man]

Just did a bit on the Halifax crash in Wallingford so I'll check out Wargrave next, Prices Risbrough and Great Hasely are not so far away either so if you post the info I'll look.

The B17 at Risborough maybe the one flown by Clyde (Sparky) Cosper. A memorial exists to him by Riborough's library. A few years ago I used to work at Gt Haseley, never knew anything about a crash there, but I'll make some enquires.

[P Bellamy]

The O.A.R. Index lists 42-31038 as being flown by a Cosper (no name or initials given) when it crashed at Longwick.

[airfields man]

The O.A.R. Index lists 42-31038 as being flown by a Cosper (no name or initials given) when it crashed at Longwick.

Can't see any mention of Cosper's aircraft in Roger Freeman's war diary. Photograph of the memorial to him in the Buckinghamshire thread.