Monument record 8845/1/1 - WWII aircraft crash site near Stanwick Mill

Mid-air collision between two B-17 bombers in 1944.

{1} On 22nd February 1944, two B-17s collided, the wrecks falling near Stanwick mill;

{2} Personal recollection of the crash. Two B-17s collided with the wing of one place slicing into the fuselage of the other. A total of seventeen men died in the crash and three survived. The witness helped rescue a badly injured crewman, but never found out whether he was one of the survivors. [A footnote at the end of the story indicates that actually only one person survived].

{3} Article about an 80 year memorial service held at Stanwick Lakes. The bombers originated from the 303rd Bombardment Group based at RAF Molesworth and 384th Bombardment Group based at RAF Grafton Underwood. The airmen flew in 'Operation Argument', also known in the Big Week which consisted of raids against enemy industrial targets and aircraft facilities in Europe. A permanent memorial was opened at Stanwick Lakes.

<1> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, p.158-59 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.

<2> Rushden & District History Society, 2007, Rushden Research, https://www.rushdenheartsandsoles.co.uk/Villages/Stanwick/stanwick-aircrash1944.html; Accessed 10/24 (Website). SNN112031.

<3> US Airforce, 501st Combat Support Wing (Website). SNN116627.

Record last edited

Oct 15 2024 3:39PM