NEW evidence of the lives lost during a Second World War mid-air plane collision over Suffolk has been unearthed in time for an 80th anniversary memorial service.
An American bomber plane known as “Little Boy Blue” crashed just outside Thurston on 19 July 1944, after suffering engine problems on its 90th mission to drop bombs over Germany. It collided with another B17, and split in two, its bombs exploding on impact, creating a huge crater. Eight people died, and two survived. The remains of the three airmen who were still on board at the time of the crash were never recovered, until an archaeological excavation of the crash site last year found the dog tags of one of them, the 24-year-old co-pilot, Aaron Brinkoeter.
The tags were found by a metal detectorist on the morning of Mr Brinkoeter’s birthday. The excavations were carried out by Cotswold Archaeology. Volunteers included serving US military personnel and UK military veterans.
Rosanna Price, from Cotswold Archaeology, said: “Despite the crash site’s agricultural history, our efforts uncovered significant aircraft material spread across a vast area. This project has been an extraordinary and moving experience for all involved — although archaeologists are experienced with recovering human remains, we very rarely do so for individuals with surviving relatives, and with known identities and names.”
The other two airmen who were never found were the pilot, Walter Malaniak, 26, of Pennsylvania, and the radio operator, Ronald Grey, 27, of New York. All three were still on board the bomber when it crashed. The two survivors had managed to escape after deploying parachutes. The other B17 was damaged in the collision, but managed to return to base at Snetterton.
The three missing airmen, including Mr Brinkoeter, are commemorated on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Madingley.
Mr Grey was an Episcopalian, and his mother and sister had always wanted a service at his final known location, as they had been unable to hold a funeral.
The Suffragan Bishop of Dunwich, Dr Mike Harrison, led the service, which was attended by 30 members of the crews’ families. He said: ‘‘We are indebted to the generous time given by so many people to ensure that not only does the legacy live on of this tragic incident, but that new evidence has been uncovered that gives some closure for families involved.
‘‘Painstaking work has been undertaken to shed more light on those tragic events 80 years ago, and no doubt this has resonated in making what happened all those years ago seem just as relevant today.”