"Mi Amigo" B-17 75th Anniversay Memorial Flyover in U.K.

[Bob Womack]

On February 22, 1944, a B-17 limped home from an air raid where it had been damaged, badly enough that it was down to one damaged engine. They were trading altitude for distance and milking their engine for all it was worth. When they reached the area near Sheffield, England, they were almost on the ground. The pilot spotted an open field where he could let down and made an approach, but as he did, he saw that it was a playground covered with kids. He somehow pushed his plane to make a couple of passes and attempted to get the kids to clear off the field. When that failed, he attempted to gain altitude and find another place to let down, but lost power, stalled, and crashed into a nearby forest. He traded the lives of his ten crew for the lives of the children on the playground. At least one of the children has never forgotten. Tony Foulds has tended the crash site for years and hope for a memorial ceremony. It finally happened.

Today the people of Sheffield and family members of the crew gathered at the site for a memorial flyover by RAF and U.S. Airforce aircraft. More HERE.



Bob

[marty bradbury]

Amazing story Bob. So many stories go untold or are forgotten. Glad this one didn't.

[Cabarone]

Events such as this should be retold over and over so they never get lost in the passage of time...God bless them and the man keeping their memory alive...

[Herb Hunter]

Thanks for bringing that story to my attention.

[Otterhound]

I remember reading about this in a mag years ago . Not every act of valor took place in battle . They have earned recognition .

[Pitar]

Thanks for posting this. Very inspirational. My pop flew a B-17 in that war. I was with the 305th CSG when I served. And, kudos to Mr. Foulds for keeping the faith.