Mi Amigo Flying Fortress airmen remembered in Sheffield

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by 4jonboy, Feb 23, 2014.

  1. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    BBC News 23 February 2014

    Ten US airmen who died when their B17 bomber crashed in Sheffield over 70 years ago have been remembered at a memorial event in the city.

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

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-26312595
     
    Pieter F, CL1 and Roxy like this.
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    A social media campaign has been launched to organise a fly-past for the 75th anniversary of a US bomber crash that claimed the lives of 10 airmen.

    The B-17 Flying Fortress, known as Mi Amigo, crashed at Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, in 1944.

    The campaign began after BBC presenter Dan Walker met eyewitness Tony Foulds, who regularly tends to the memorial.




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    Crashed bomber fly-past campaign starts
     
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  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    A fly-past to mark the anniversary of a fatal plane crash in a Sheffield park will take place after a campaign led by BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker.

    The US bomber - a B-17 Flying Fortress known as Mi Amigo - came down in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, in 1944 killing all 10 airmen on board.

    The campaign began after Mr Walker met Tony Foulds, who witnessed the crash and regularly tends to the memorial.

    The US Air Force will carry out a fly-past on the anniversary on 22 February.

    Crews will set off in an F-15 fighter jet from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, home to the largest US Air Force camp in the UK.

    Fly-past planned to mark crashed bomber
     
    Medwyn Edwards likes this.
  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  5. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  6. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Should be
    F15
    Typhoon
    Dakota
    Osprey
     
  7. Noel Burgess

    Noel Burgess Senior Member

    I studied at Sheffield polytechnic in the early 1970s and well remember the memorial in Ebdcliffe Park. It is good to know that these men have not been forgotten.
    Noel
     
  8. adele gervis

    adele gervis Active Member

    Today I got to meet the legend Tony foulds. Aged 8 tony was playing in Endcliffe Park in my home town sheffield when a US plane crashed on 22nd February 1944. Tony has maintained the memorial ever since..Tommorow marks the 75th year off this crash they will be a memorial fly-over Tommorow morning.. Me and my family went today to pay our respects.what a beautiful emotional place. fresh flowers planted poppies for every single piolet killed.....Tony your a man after my own heart so much respect for him and what he's done..

    Least we forget.
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

  10. adele gervis

    adele gervis Active Member

  11. adele gervis

    adele gervis Active Member

     
  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Merged all the Mi-Amigo threads I could find.
     
  13. adele gervis

    adele gervis Active Member

    Thank you still new on here so bit clueless how it all works.
     
  14. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    Most fitting that this crew should be remembered for their sacrifice in avoiding casualties on the ground.

    Through people such as Tony Foulds their memory and deed lives on.The memorial to the crew, provided by the Sheffield RAFA looks to be well cared for.

    22 February 1944 was a poor day for operations for the USAAF.
    Severe weather forced No 1 BD B17 aircraft north over Holland on route to German targets.No 3 Bombardment Division with over 300 B17s was recalled before entering occupied territory.

    No 1 Bombardment Division's No 92 BG was detailed to attack Aalborg West Airfield but poor visibility prevented bombing to reduce the risk of endangering Danish lives.I think No 305 BG (No 1 Bombardment Division) may have intended to bomb targets of opportunity when it was crippled on route to Aalborg. No1 BD lost 38 B17s from 289 despatched.

    No 2 BD B24s,nearly 180 aircraft were also recalled but were 100 miles into occupied Holland and bombed Dutch opportunity targets as planned.

    All in all, 799 aircraft despatched and 255 recorded as being bombing effective....Mighty Eighth War Diary.
     
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  15. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    I am greatly impressed by the single mindedness and dedication of Tony Foulds over all these years. I'm sure that means a great deal to the families.
     
    Dave55 and Medwyn Edwards like this.
  16. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    BBC news presenters are currently broadcasting (07-23 to 09-15 on Feb 22) direct from the site of the memorial this morning. A flypast is taking place. Get recording.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2019
  17. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  18. STAN50

    STAN50 Senior Member

    I watched this on television this morning and like everyone else was humbled to see what has been achieved. Tony Foulds is a very sincere man.

    The chance meeting with Dan Walker set things in motion. I like his comment about the Fly Past coming about that although 'he posted the letter it was Tony who wrote it.'

    Although a sad day when we were honouring ten men who's lives were cut short, what a marvellous achievement by all involved. The kindness of people who made this happen is truly uplifting.

    The amount of people who turned up to be there this morning show that people still do care.
     
  19. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    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
    [​IMG]
    The crew of B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Mi Amigo" of the 305th Bomb Group. Back Row: Robert Mayfield, Vito Ambrosio, Harry Estabrooks, George Williams, Charles Tuttle, Maurice Robbins. Front Row: John Kriegshauser, Lyle Curtis, Melchor Hernandez, John Humphrey Picture: AMERICAN WAR MUSEUM



    USAF aircraft from Suffolk to take part in special 'Mi Amigo' flypast
     
  20. STAN50

    STAN50 Senior Member

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