Memorial Aircrew B-17 41-9018

On the south side of D955 is a small gray vertical stone slab with a black plaque with gold lettering commemorating American pilots.

Text on the stone:
In memory of the American airmen who died on a mission on October 9, 1942

327th Squadron
92nd group

DONALD BUCKLAND
FRANCIS CHORAK
MALCOLM CULPEPER
JOHN DOLAN
JAMES LANE

B-17 41-9018, departed Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, England at 09:00 on a bombing mission over Hellemmes railway installations. They were hit by German anti-aircraft fire, knocking them out of formation and being chased by nine German Fw-190s. The latter blasted the tail section, causing the plane to crash. The pilot held on as long as possible to avoid hitting residential areas, but eventually had to bail out. His parachute malfunctioned, causing him to crash to his death.

The aircraft crashed in the North Sea (cfr After Action Report of 2Lt G. Roper). 2Lt Grady Roper was the navigator, managed to escape and returned to the UK via Gibraltar.
After the bombing they were attacked by Focke-Wulf 190s. They were hit, knocked out the power and went into a nosedive over the hamlet of Lannay south of Mouchin. Around 10:55 am the breech was shot by Lieutenant Walter Meyer of the 7th Staffel of the Jagd Geschwader 26 which had taken off from Wevelgem. He achieved his 18th and last aerial victory. He died on November 10, 1942 from a flying accident (KIFA – Killed In Flying Accident).
The crew was interred at the Normandy American Cemetery after the war.
The pilot 1Lt Chorak is in Perk D – Row 10 – Grave 33.