East Kirkby

Aircraft crash site
media-26126.jpeg UPL 26126 Crash site of B-17 42-97479 'Belle of Liberty'.

Shared with the American Air Museum by Reuben Holmes who laid a commemorative wreath at the crash site of B-17 42-97479 'Belle of Liberty' on 30 December 2016.

Object Number - UPL 26126 - Crash site of B-17 42-97479 'Belle of Liberty'.

Connections

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Detailed History

On 30 December 1944, B-17 42-97479 of the 92nd Bomb Group crashed here and all 9 airmen on board were killed.



The crew were Jospeh Van Stratton, Edward Porter, John Cowan, Charles Chambers, Tom Standish, Arthur Estrada, Harry Barner, Wilfred Bedard and William White.



Local resident Reuben Holmes laid a wreath in memory of this crew at the crash site on 30 December 2016. The crash site is some little way from East Kirkby to which most references are made, the site lies between two small village hamlets namely Old Bolinbroke and Hareby.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39725742
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31398960
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38008506
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39847857
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

The wreck of a B-17 Flying Fortress (UX-L, serial number 42-97479) nicknamed "Belle of Liberty" that has crash landed at Podington, 30 December 1944 Image via William E "Doc" Furniss, 92nd Bomb Group. Written on slide casing: '297479 UX-L crash Podington.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Belle of Liberty
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Correspondence with Reuben Holmes:
'The crash site is some little way from East Kirkby to which most references are made, the site lies between two small village hamlets namely Old Bolinbroke and Hareby.'

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Correspondence with Reuben Holmes.
Existing details in aircraft record 42-97479:
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/10554

East Kirkby: Gallery (5 items)