Little Boy Blue bomber crash in Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, has 80th anniversary memorial service marked with new evidence about death of crew
The 80th anniversary of an American bomber crash in Suffolk was marked with new evidence about the death of the crew.
The WWII B-17 bomber named Little Boy Blue crashed just outside Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, on July 19, 1944 after a midair collision, leaving eight dead and only two survivors.
A memorial service was held to commemorate the crash and guests were told that a search undertaken by volunteers led by Cotswold Archaeology had uncovered new evidence about the remains of three young airmen who were still aboard the bomber when it crashed.
The young Americans were unaccounted for, denying their families closure and the opportunity for formal funerals.
But excavations by 40 people, including UK military veterans, serving US military personnel and Suffolk Archaeology Field Group, found one tiny but significant piece of evidence.
Rosanna Price, Cotswold Archaeology’s engagement manager, supervised the volunteers and said: ‘‘Employing systematic geophysical surveys, fieldwalking, test-pitting, and metal detecting, we meticulously mapped the debris field to locate identifiable aircraft wreckage and any potential remains of the missing crewmen.
‘‘Despite the crash site's agricultural history, our efforts uncovered significant aircraft material spread across a vast area.
“Our dedicated team were rewarded when Clive Smither, a local metal detectorist, was able to recover the dog tag of one of the crew – co-pilot Aaron Brinkoeter.
‘‘Movingly, the discovery was made on the morning of young Aaron’s birthday – September 12. He was 24 at the time of the crash.’’
The project was commissioned by the US Department of Defense’s DPAA department and the excavations in September last year attracted considerable local interest.
Historians and enthusiasts provided invaluable insights and helped to identify plane parts and brought photographs and oral history.
Little Boy Blue was on a bombing route to Schweinfurt, Germany. The other two airmen who were never found were 26-year-old pilot Walter Malaniak of Pennsylvania and 27-year-old radio operator Ronald Grey of New York.
They, along with Aaron, are commemorated on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Madingley.
The service not only honoured the 10 who died, but it also fulfilled the wishes of the family of Mr Grey. The radio operator was an Anglican Episcopalian and his mother and sister had always wanted a service at his final known location.
Leading the memorial service on July 19 was the Bishop of Dunwich, the Rt Rev Dr Mike Harrison, who 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 giving 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.”
Ms Price added: ‘‘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.
‘‘Working with active-duty and retired military personnel, and hearing their reflections on service, also provided a poignant reminder of both the historical significance of our work, and the relevance to contemporary life.’’
She added: ‘‘To say we are proud to use our professional expertise to shed light on the bravery of these young men and the freedoms they fought for, and to keep them fresh in the public’s mind at a time with considerable global unrest, would be an understatement.’’
