To the west side of the Taverham Mill Fishery welcome sign.

A black, polished upright stone with the 44^th Bomb Group insignia etched on the top followed by a dedication message and names of the crew members inscribed in English in gold and incised lettering. B-24 41-29418 was originally named as ‘Turnip Termite.’ Its original nose art was painted by Clayton Hutsell at the 486th Bomb Group at Sudbury, but the aircraft was transferred to Shipdham before he could put the name of Turnip Termite on it. It was renamed Pappy’s Chillun at the 44th. #41-29418 crashed on the 21st of April 1944 with the loss of all crew except the pilot and co-pilot. The remains of the aircraft are still in the lake.

At five miles northwest of Norwich, and one mile northeast of Pingland Hills, this aircraft was climbing into formation, traveling at 155 to 160 MPH through overcast, in severe icing conditions. When it reached 14,000 feet, the aircraft lurched violently and started swerving to the right. The pilots had no control over the ship as it swerved back to the left, and then started to spin tightly toward the ground. The plane then turned onto its back and the right-wing and tail were torn off by the violent maneuvers. The two pilots were thrown into the top of the cockpit, and when the cabin ripped apart, they were thrown clear of the wreckage. 

No definite statement can be made as to the cause of the accident, but it was the opinion of the investigating board that the airplane picked up too much ice, was forced into a stall, and from there into a spin when it fell apart. The aircraft was heavily loaded with eight 1,000 lb. bombs and 2,700 gallons of fuel. Another aircraft and crew (Lt. Dine, 506 Bomb Squadron) experienced the same icing conditions, went into a spin, but finally managed to recover control at 4,000 feet. The two survivors from this accident, Lt. Havens and his co-pilot Leon Del Grande were taken to the hospital immediately.

Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, dainthecbi.com

Source of photo: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, geograph.co.uk

Dedicated to

the crew of "PAPPY'S CHILLUN" #41-29418

44th Bomb Group Eighth Army Air Force

68th Bomb Squadron "The Flying Eight Balls"

which crashed at this site

21st April 1944

2nd Lt. Forrest C. Havens

2nd Lt. Leon L. Del Grande

2nd Lt. James L. Zajicek KIA

2nd Lt. Edward A. Cole KIA

Sgt. Leonard P. Lambert KIA

S/Sgt. George R. Houchins KIA

S/Sgt. Roger W. Edmonson KIA

Sgt. Hartwell J. Higgins KIA

Sgt. Hal N. Wood KIA

Sgt. Russell G. Taylor KIA

We remain forever in their debt