Canvey Island

Aircraft crash site
media-51920.jpeg UPL 51920 Mural commemorating the crew of B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97942) nicknamed "Heavenly Body II" at Canvey Island sea wall, Essex.

Photographs courtesy of Paul Butterworth, local resident

Object Number - UPL 51920 - Mural commemorating the crew of B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97942) nicknamed "Heavenly Body II" at Canvey Island sea wall, Essex.

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Detailed History

On 19 June 1944, a formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 379th Bomb Group were returning from a mission to bomb V weapons sites in north west France. While crossing the Thames, near Canvey Island, B-17 44-6133 experienced engine trouble and collided with B-17 42-97942 nicknamed "Heavenly Body II", the two aircraft became temporarily entangled.



B-17 44-6133 eventually fell away and crashed into the sea near Allhallows. After becoming free of the other aircraft Heavenly Body II began to lose height, but some members of the crew managed to bail out. Eyewitnesses reported that it appeared as if the aircraft was attempting to land on the nearby river mud, but suddenly fell nose first into the Thames near Canvey Island and burst into flames.







In 2014 local residents erected a memorial plaque to the crew of Heavenly Body II close to the site of the aircraft crash. In 2015 a commemorative mural was painted along Canvey sea wall which depicted the crew of Heavenly Body II, and Canvey Island Local Post issued a commemorative stamp the same year.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32752979
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14079510 / O-810816
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39557878
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 10924622
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39587136 / O-739088
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Heavenly Body II
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Account of the crash written by Paul Wilkinson for Canvey Island Local Post

Canvey Island: Gallery (5 items)