B-24 (42-95103) Memorial Plaque
Details:
On the north wall of the nave.
A plain, rectangular, wall-mounted metal plaque on a wooden backboard. The plaque is inscribed in English in lead lettering commemorating the crew of the B-24 #42-95103 that crashed in Wrangle Common on July 13, 1944. Inscribed on the top of the plaque is the depiction of the 8th Air Force insignia, a B-24 aircraft, and the insignia of the 579th Bomb Squadron.
Lt. Hunt’s crew was flying the B-24J serial #42-95103. The B24s nose-art was "BERLIN BITCH" and took off from Wendling airfield, assembling for a mission to Saarbrucken, Germany, on 13th July 1944. During formation over the U.K., the crew experienced severe aircraft icing and subsequently spun in and crashed at Wrangle Common. One crew member, S/Sgt. Mark Osment managed to bail out safely from this stricken plane with all others perishing in the incident.
Fortunately, the bombs aboard the aircraft did not explode but caused the local authorities a few anxious moments during the ensuing fire. Finally, however, the fire died out, the bombs were disposed of, and the crash site bulldozed.
The "BERLIN BITCH" crew:
1st/Lt. Norman J. Hunt Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Peter B. Roetzel Co-Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. William J. Hession Navigator KIA
T/Sgt. Walter L. McKinzie Jr. Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Harold C. Wilkinson Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. William E. Carrington Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Daniel L. McEwan Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Leonard A. Jackson Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Mark Osment Gunner RTD
Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.geograph.org.uk
Source of photo: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk
Monument Text:
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF THE CREW
OF B24 LIBERATOR 42-95103 OF 579th BOMB SQ., 392ND Bomb Group
of U.S. AIR FORCE.
Who lost their lives when their aircraft crashed
on Wrangle Common, 13th July 1944.
1st/Lt Norman J. Hunt 1st/Lt Peter B. Roetzel 2nd/Lt William J. Hession T/Sgt Walter L. McKinzie Jnr. | T/Sgt Harold C. Wilkinson S/Sgt W. E. Caurington S/Sgt Daniel L. McEwan S/Sgt Leonard A. Jackson |
†
R.I.P.
S/Sgt Mark Osment was the sole survivor.
This Memorial Plaque was erected by the Lincolnshire Aircraft Recovery Group
9th July 1994, by kind permission of Wrangle P.C.C.
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
392nd Bomb Group
579th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII