Crash Site B-17 41-24601 XK-P Pollinkhove

On 13 January 1943, a B-17 bomber 41 24601 XX-P "Buckeye Blitz crashed into the neighbourhood Groene Boomgaard in Pollinkhove.
The B-17 took off from the English base Chelveston. Above target Fives, near Lille, the aircraft was hit by FLAK and was forced to leave the protection of the formation. Around 2.40 pm, German pursuing fighters shot the bomber, which offered fierce resistance, after which it crashed in Pollinkhove.
All 10 crew members were killed. It was the first B-17 shot down in the province of West Flanders.
After the war, the bodies were transferred to the American cemetery of Neupré, in the Ardennes near Liège. Five of them are now back in American soil.
Lt. Conrad J. Hilbinger, pilot
Sec. Lt Robert M. Anderson, co-pilot
Sec. Lt. Arthur P. Halbrooks, bombardier
Sec. Lt. John J. Kelliher, navigator
S/Sgt. Joseph B. Anderson, radio-operator
S/Sgt. Ward H. Brown, top turret gunner
S/Sgt Hugh G. Erwin, ball turret gunner
S/Sgt. Robert S. Dickson, right waist gunner
Sgt. John C. Paris, left waist gunner
Sgt. A. Boyette, tail gunner

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Photos: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• website lo-reninge