Boeing B-17G-15-VE Flying Fortress 42-97479 'Belle of Liberty' Memorial
Old Bolingbroke
For those on the ground at East Kirkby on 30 December 1944, the approach of aero engines would not have usually warranted a second glance towards the sky. But on this day, the sound of the Merlin gave way to the softer tones of Wright Cyclone radials. With curiosity heightened, observers would have noticed another type of four-engine bomber within their circuit, a Boeing B-17G of the 8th United States Army Air Force.
Boeing B-17G-15-VE Flying Fortress 42-97479 'Belle of Liberty' coded UX-L of the 327th Bombardment Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, had taken off from Station 109 Podington to bomb a railway bridge over the Moselle near Bullay. This operation had been planned to hinder German reinforcement during the Battle of the Bulge, then raging in the Ardennes.
After forming up over the Wash with their squadron, the 'Belle' suffered an engine failure, necessitating an emergency landing at the nearest airfield, in this case, East Kirkby. With their bomb load jettisoned, the two pilots headed towards their unfamiliar landing site. The B-17 made an initial approach but was not lined up correctly and was warned off by a flare fired from the Watch Office. This would not have been a problem with a fully functioning aircraft, but with engine problems, the situation was becoming desperate. They went around and tried for a second time but were again waved off. Finally, heading towards the north and losing height (possibly due to a double engine failure), the B-17 flew towards higher ground. Realising this, the pilots gained altitude, cleared the hill but then stalled and crashed into a field near Old Bolingbroke. There were no survivors from the nine-man crew as an intense fire took hold. Those who lost their lives on the day were 2nd Lts Joseph Van Stratton (pilot), Edward Porter (2nd pilot), John Cowan (navigator), Sgts Charles Chambers (bombardier), Arthur Estrada (radio operator), Thomas Standish (top turret gunner), Wilfred Bedard (waist gunner), Harold Barner (ball turret gunner) and William White (tail gunner).
The events leading up to the loss of the 'Belle' are described in detail within Jack Currie's documentary, 'The Watch Tower': Jack Currie - The Watchtower
Part of the dialogue within the programme explains how local resident Fred Panton witnessed the crash as a young boy. He later created the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre with his brother Harold at East Kirkby in memory of their sibling Plt Off. Christopher Panton (Flight Engineer) of No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron RCAF, who failed to return from the Nuremburg operation on 30/31 March 1944.
'Belle of Liberty' came down next to the narrow road running between Old Bolingbroke and Hareby. Of note, colour film footage of the immediate aftermath of the crash was taken at the time and can now be found on YouTube: World War Two Archive Footage of B17 Crash
Today, a small memorial stands on a grass verge near the crash site and commemorates the gallant crew lost so far from their homeland.
Boeing B-17G-15-VE Flying Fortress 42-97479 'Belle of Liberty' coded UX-L of the 327th Bombardment Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, had taken off from Station 109 Podington to bomb a railway bridge over the Moselle near Bullay. This operation had been planned to hinder German reinforcement during the Battle of the Bulge, then raging in the Ardennes.
After forming up over the Wash with their squadron, the 'Belle' suffered an engine failure, necessitating an emergency landing at the nearest airfield, in this case, East Kirkby. With their bomb load jettisoned, the two pilots headed towards their unfamiliar landing site. The B-17 made an initial approach but was not lined up correctly and was warned off by a flare fired from the Watch Office. This would not have been a problem with a fully functioning aircraft, but with engine problems, the situation was becoming desperate. They went around and tried for a second time but were again waved off. Finally, heading towards the north and losing height (possibly due to a double engine failure), the B-17 flew towards higher ground. Realising this, the pilots gained altitude, cleared the hill but then stalled and crashed into a field near Old Bolingbroke. There were no survivors from the nine-man crew as an intense fire took hold. Those who lost their lives on the day were 2nd Lts Joseph Van Stratton (pilot), Edward Porter (2nd pilot), John Cowan (navigator), Sgts Charles Chambers (bombardier), Arthur Estrada (radio operator), Thomas Standish (top turret gunner), Wilfred Bedard (waist gunner), Harold Barner (ball turret gunner) and William White (tail gunner).
The events leading up to the loss of the 'Belle' are described in detail within Jack Currie's documentary, 'The Watch Tower': Jack Currie - The Watchtower
Part of the dialogue within the programme explains how local resident Fred Panton witnessed the crash as a young boy. He later created the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre with his brother Harold at East Kirkby in memory of their sibling Plt Off. Christopher Panton (Flight Engineer) of No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron RCAF, who failed to return from the Nuremburg operation on 30/31 March 1944.
'Belle of Liberty' came down next to the narrow road running between Old Bolingbroke and Hareby. Of note, colour film footage of the immediate aftermath of the crash was taken at the time and can now be found on YouTube: World War Two Archive Footage of B17 Crash
Today, a small memorial stands on a grass verge near the crash site and commemorates the gallant crew lost so far from their homeland.