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Upgraded Memorial to the crew of B 17G #44-6133 at Allhallows Holiday Park, Allhallows, Kent. March 2020.
A border of Oyster Shells has been added, along with some driftwood, all collected from the beach in front of the memorial. This was done to symbolize the aircraft's final resting place, which is on the tidal mudflats some 500 yards or so in front of the memorial plaque.
The memorial was originally raised by Mitch Peeke in June of 2019 and unveiled jointly by two relatives of two of the crew: Jeanne Cronis-Campbell, daughter of the Bombardier; and Noel Tognazzini, nephew of the Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner.
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Memorial to the crew of B 17 44-6133 of the 525th Squadron, 379th BG. The memorial was raised by Mitch Peeke for the 75th Anniversary of the crash, in June of 2019. It was unveiled jointly by Jeanne Cronis-Campbell, daughter of 2nd Lt. Teddy Chronopolis, and Noel Tognazzini, nephew of S/Sgt. Cecil Tognazzini, during a special commemorative day. The memorial is located on the Seafront, overlooking the crash site, which is about 520 yards offshore, at Allhallows in Kent. The memorial is situated adjacent to the Yacht Club within the grounds of the Haven Allhallows Holiday Park.
Detailed history
Allhallows is a village on the northernmost side of the Hoo Penninsula in Kent. During WW1, there was an RFC airfield there which later became an RAF station. The airfield closed in 1935 but became a designated Emergency Landing Ground during WW2. In fact, a badly battle damaged B 17; #42-39808 from 534BS/381BG based at Ridgewell in Essex, made a crash landing on the old airfield on December 1st 1943. Three of the crew, including the Pilot; Harold Hytinen, were wounded. The memorial to the crew of another B 17; #44-6133 which crashed on the beach six months later, can be found within the grounds of the Haven Holiday Park at Allhallows, just outside the main gate of Allhallows Yacht Club.
Connections
People
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Military | Captain | Bombardier; Nose Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Returning from Zudausques mission in B-17 44-6133; Due to extensive Flak damage, A/C collided with 42-97942 and crashed at Allhallows-On-Sea, Kent. Sole survivor from A/C. WIA / RTD. MACR 6984
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 2nd mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Zudausques mission in B-17 44-6133; Due to extensive Flak damage, A/C collided with 42-97942 and crashed at Allhallows-On-Sea, Kent. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 6984
Awards: PH.
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Military | Corporal | Waist Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 2nd mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Zudausques mission in B-17 44-6133; Due to extensive Flak damage, A/C collided with 42-97942 and crashed at Allhallows-On-Sea, Kent. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 6984
Awards: PH.
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Zudausques mission in B-17 44-6133; Due to extensive Flak damage, A/C collided with 42-97942 and crashed at Allhallows-On-Sea, Kent. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 6984
Awards: PH.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Zudausques mission in B-17 44-6133; Due to extensive Flak damage, A/C collided with 42-97942 and crashed at Allhallows-On-Sea, Kent. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 6984. Cecil's body was never...
Aircraft
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Denver 11/4/44; Kearney 4/5/44; Dow Fd 23/5/44; Assigned 525BS/379BG [FR-K] Kimbolton 24/5/44; on return from mission to Enguine/Catts 19/6/44 with Lloyd Burns, Bombardier: Jack Gray, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Leon Gibbs, Radio...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 10/5/44; Hunter 19/5/44; Dow Fd 29/5/44; Assigned 525BS/379BG [FR-Y] Kimbolton 8/6/44; on return from mission 19/6/44 with Armand Ramcitti, Co-pilot: Bill Hager, Navigator: Don Watson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Cecil Tognazzini...