Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Big Red crash

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Big Red crash

by , Garnier Julien

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History

Like every morning in the summer of 1944. the peaceful English countryside of Suffolk is awakened by the muffled rumblings of flying fortresses preparing to leave their scattered bases in this region of southeast England.
Installed in August 194. the American 8th Air Force was to spearhead the strategic Arian offensive against the 3rd Reich.

On March 27, 1944. the 50 B17s of the 388th Bomb-Group lined up on the runways of Knetishall airfield.

In the flying fortress of blue. white. black with a large H inscribed on the tail of the aircraft. Pilot Lieutenant Waite Law and co-pilot Lieutenant Julius Lederman ansi John Carrol lieutenant navigator perform the usual final checks.
They call the other seven crew members one by one over the intercom: the bomber officer, Sergeant Radion and the five gunners.

The day's objective: Bordeaux. Its port. Its factories. The mood is invigorating among these young men who have been trained for months in these air raids.

Fortunately, they are unaware that on this day, for five of them. It would be the last trip, ending dramatically just a few hours later. Right here on the edge of this forest in Aizenay. For three others, the harsh exile in a German prison camp begins. Finally, that the last two members of the crew, fortunately survivors will live a truly extraordinary odyssey.

For several months. The Vendéens had become accustomed to the increasingly frequent passages of these large bombers flying in side-by-side formation, which more often than not went to pound the submarine bases, of Saint-Nazaire and the Palice.

But on this March 27, 1944. The armada was even more impressive - the bright sky was obscured. With the added bonus of an enormous, unmistakable roar that shook the windows of every house. According to the official report, on that day, the flying fortresses numbered 546. All lined up neatly. Forming a V, heading south, they seem to defy the sky. But suddenly one of them breaks away from the group, gradually loses altitude, is soon surrounded by suspicious smoke and abruptly turns back north. It was as if she wanted to return to England. Then everything happens very quickly, and after a complete loop over the town of Aizenay, the plane, which is smoking even more and seems distraught, heads for the forest and comes crashing down right here after exploding 50 meters above the ground.

The church clock read 2:15pm on Monday March 27, 1944. But the schoolchildren hadn't yet returned to class. They were all looking up at the sky, which was very blue without a cloud in sight.

Contribution and photo credit Julien Garnier

History Like every morning in the summer of 1944. the peaceful English countryside of Suffolk is awakened by the muffled rumblings of flying fortresses preparing to leave their scattered bases in this region of southeast England. Installed in August 194. the American 8th Air Force was to spearhead the strategic Arian offensive against the 3rd Reich. On March 27, 1944. the 50 B17s of the 388th Bomb-Group lined up on the runways of Knetishall airfield. In the flying fortress of blue. white. black with a large H inscribed on the tail of the aircraft. Pilot Lieutenant Waite Law and co-pilot Lieutenant Julius Lederman ansi John Carrol lieutenant navigator perform the usual final checks. They call the other seven crew members one by one over the intercom: the bomber officer, Sergeant Radion and the five gunners.The day's objective: Bordeaux. Its port. Its factories. The mood is invigorating among these young men who have been trained for months in these air raids.Fortunately, they are unaware that on this day, for five of them. It would be the last trip, ending dramatically just a few hours later. Right here on the edge of this forest in Aizenay. For three others, the harsh exile in a German prison camp begins. Finally, that the last two members of the crew, fortunately survivors will live a truly extraordinary odyssey. For several months. The Vendéens had become accustomed to the increasingly frequent passages of these large bombers flying in side-by-side formation, which more often than not went to pound the submarine bases, of Saint-Nazaire and the Palice. But on this March 27, 1944. The armada was even more impressive - the bright sky was obscured. With the added bonus of an enormous, unmistakable roar that shook the windows of every house. According to the official report, on that day, the flying fortresses numbered 546. All lined up neatly. Forming a V, heading south, they seem to defy the sky. But suddenly one of them breaks away from the group, gradually loses altitude, is soon surrounded by suspicious smoke and abruptly turns back north. It was as if she wanted to return to England. Then everything happens very quickly, and after a complete loop over the town of Aizenay, the plane, which is smoking even more and seems distraught, heads for the forest and comes crashing down right here after exploding 50 meters above the ground. The church clock read 2:15pm on Monday March 27, 1944. But the schoolchildren hadn't yet returned to class. They were all looking up at the sky, which was very blue without a cloud in sight.Contribution and photo credit Julien Garnier

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