Pilot Lt John Kriegshauser, pilot from Missouri
2nd Lt Lyle Curtis, co-pilot from Idaho
2nd Lt John Humphrey, navigator from Illinois
Melchor Hernandez, bombardier from California
Harry Estabrooks, engineer and gunner from Kansas
Charles Tuttle, gunner from Kentucky
Robert Mayfield, radio operator from Illinois
Vito Ambrosio, gunner from New York
Malcolm Williams, gunner from Oklahoma
Maurice Robbins, gunner from Texas

Today Britain and in particular the city of Sheffield are remembering these 10 men who were killed 75 years ago when their aircraft crashed and exploded as they avoided hitting children in a park. Possibly without avoiding the children some might have survived.

There has been a flypast by both British and American airforces today to commemorate the anniversary.

One of the children playing that day was 8 years old and to this day he maintains the memorial which is in the park where they crashed.

I have been in this park as it is opposite my daughter's home.

We salute these brave men, thank you.

Here is information from the BBC website...


The Flying Fortress, known as Mi Amigo, crashed at Endcliffe Park on 22 February 1944 while returning from a bombing raid on the Continent.

Wreaths were laid at the site of the crash during the event organised by the RAF Association.

A memorial service was also held at St Augustine's Church, Endcliffe.
'Instruments had gone'

The Reverend Gordon Unsworth, chaplain of the RAF Association in Sheffield, said the exact circumstances surrounding the crash of the Mi Amigo remained a mystery.

However, it seemed the B-17's pilot was looking for a safe place to land and "zeroed in" on Endcliffe Park, said Mr Unsworth.

"We know it had been over to the Continent and was coming back to its base further south.

"It was rather beat-up and its instruments had gone. The result was that it got lost and ran out of fuel over Sheffield."

Serving USAF staff from RAF Menwith Hill also attended the ceremony, alongside RAF Association members and local residents who lived near Endcliffe Park at the time of the crash.
.................

Planes that took part in the flypast

F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath
KC-135 Stratotanker
MC-130J Commando II
CV-22 Osprey from RAF Mildenhall
Typhoon from RAF Coningsby
Dakota from RAF Coningsby

Brave young men who forfeited their own lives for the sake of saving children. So many parents and children, and their offspring, will be forever grateful.

I had not known.

Thank you, Sue.

Next time I visit my daughter I shall go to the memorial to say thank you to them. She lives opposite the park where the plane crashed.

The man who tends their memorial feels so much guilt, but why would an 8 year old realise that they were being told to run, they thought the crew were waving greetings.

So sad.

I'm sorry he feels that way, and hope that caring for the memorial all these years has given him comfort.

These men chose to do what they did... heroes all. It would have been incredibly tragic if all those children had died. As it was, these men were doing their duty. Certainly not the fault or responsibility of anyone in the park that day.

Its an inspiring story. Thankyou Sue