Bocking B-17 Memorial

Memorial

Connections

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Detailed History

B-17 44-8198 was on a sightseeing trip to Germany two days after VE Day when it collided with 44-8813 over Braintree, Essex on 10 May 1945. A memorial to the 11 men who died in the crash was unveiled at River Mead, Bocking, Braintree on 10 May 2015. Some of the wreckage from the crash is now owned by the museum at Ridgewell. 

 

People

Merrill J Blanck

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant

Wagner F Crane

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant

Jerome A Geers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant

Leslie G Lusk

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39183009
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant

Paul A Messina

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

44-8198

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron

44-8813

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Added after correspondence with Tony Lynch, the Bocking B-17 Researcher and memorial organizer.