Monument record MNN173291 - WWII aircraft crash site, Astwell Castle Farm
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Summary
On 11th November 1943, a B17 Flying Fortress Bomber, the Sharon Belle, of the 327th bomb Squadron from USAAF Poddington crashed at Astwell Castle Farm killing ten aircrew.
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
{3} Personal recollections from Derek Ratledge who lived at the farm when the crash occurred. B17 bomber number 42-3048 of the 327th bomb squadron, 92nd bomb group, 8th bomber command had taken off from Poddington USAAF station 109 at around 8am. Around 20 minutes later it crashed immediately beyond the farm buildings in a huge explosion as nearly all the munitions on board detonated. All ten crew members were killed.
<1> Richard E Flagg, UK Airfields, http://www.ukairfields.org.uk/helmdon.html; Accessed 14/11/2024 (Website). SNN116651.
<2> Imperial War Museum, War Memorials Register, https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/70598 (Website). SNN110619.
<3> Helmdon Local History Group, Helmdon History, https://www.helmdonhistory.com/history/memorable_date_in_1943.htm; Accessed 14/11/2024 (Website). SNN116654.
Sources/Archives (3)
- <1> SNN116651 Website: Richard E Flagg. UK Airfields. http://www.ukairfields.org.uk/. http://www.ukairfields.org.uk/helmdon.html; Accessed 14/11/2024.
- <2> SNN110619 Website: Imperial War Museum. War Memorials Register. http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials. https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/70598.
- <3> SNN116654 Website: Helmdon Local History Group. Helmdon History. https://www.helmdonhistory.com/information/new.html. https://www.helmdonhistory.com/history/memorable_date_in_1943.htm; Accessed 14/11/2024.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Location
| Grid reference | SP 6089 4403 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | HELMDON, West Northamptonshire (formerly South Northants District) |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- None recorded
Record last edited
Feb 25 2025 7:30PM
