Memorial held for 80th anniversary of wartime tragedy 

Delegates from the United States Air Force (USAF) at RAF Alconbury were joined by representatives from the RAF, Cambridgeshire County Council and Urban&Civic on Watch Office Green at Alconbury Weald to commemorate those who lost their lives 80 years ago during one of the former airfield’s worst wartime tragedies. 

The event was organised by Urban&Civic to mark the day a 500-pound bomb being loaded onto a B-17 Flying Fortress exploded, setting off several other bombs and killing 19 airmen from 95th Bombardment Group and injuring 21 other personnel. The blast on 27 May 1943 also destroyed four B-17 Flying Fortresses and damaged 11 others.  

The memorial was hosted by Colonel Valerie Long from USAF 423D Air Base Group. Following posting of the colours (when the British and American flags being carried were placed into stands) and playing the British and American anthems, Alconbury Weald’s pioneer minister Revd Rob Paddison started the ceremony with an opening prayer. 

Councillor Sebastian Kindersley, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council and Natalie Leigh-Brown, Community Development Lead for Urban&Civic, then paid their respects before RAF Squadron Leader Tina Sheeran and Colonel Valerie Long read the names of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident 80 years ago.

The commemoration concluded with the laying of poppy wreaths and a solo bugle playing to honour the service members who paid the ultimate price. 

Speaking at the event, Natalie Leigh-Brown from Urban&Civic, said: “The sacrifices that were made by outstandingly brave crews during the Second World War are fundamental to RAF Alconbury and Alconbury Weald’s rich history, and we are working with all the partners here to create a permanent memorial to the B17 crews who lost their lives 80 years ago today, which will sit here at the heart of the development.

“We will remember them, and all those who served, and we will ensure their story and sacrifice continues to be told to the future community for generations to come.”    

Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council Sebastian Kindersley said: “I was honoured to have been invited by Urban&Civic to the ceremony and to lay a wreath to commemorate the men who tragically lost their lives here in WWII.

“It is important to remember the role Alconbury and other military bases across Cambridgeshire played in the fight to protect British democracy – including local democracy - against Nazism. It is fitting that Cambridgeshire County Council’s headquarters has found its new home in this poignant historic location so close to where these 19 men lost their lives in the cause of freedom.”

95th Bombardment Group Airmen killed in the accident on 27 May 27 1943 are:

412th Bomb Squadron
PFC Frank A. Baldassaro, ordnance section
Sgt. Stanley B. Banks, mechanic
Sgt. Frederick W. Briske, mechanic
Cpl. Byron A. Carroll, crew chief
M/Sgt. Thomas F. Cunningham, radio maintenance
Sgt. Sam P. Eliah, mechanic
PFC Albert E. Finn, ordnance section
M/Sgt. John F. Gira, aircraft inspector
Cpl. Wallace F. Henderson, radio maintenance
Sgt. Clinton L. Lewis, mechanic
Sgt. Alvis W. McCool Jr., ordnance section
1st Lt. Frank A. Metzger Jr., navigator
Sgt. Earl C. Rogers, armament section
Sgt. Glen W. Swarts, armament section
Sgt. Jack S. Twiford, armament section
Sgt. Howard R. Welch, armament section

334th Bomb Squadron
Pvt. John E. Carlisle, radio maintenance
T/Sgt. Louis Palmer, radio maintenance.    

335th Bomb Squadron
2nd Lt. Harry Irwin Jr., ordnance officer

Photo credit: C1 Photography