Crash site P-38 Lightning 429th Fighter Squadron Putte

Captain Alfred W. Mills made an emergency landing with his P-38 Lightning at this location on September 3, 1944 at 12:30 PM.
His aircraft was hit by German flak and its left engine failed over Fliegerhorst Venlo (Cologne). He was part of a bombing mission at this airfield in preparation for Operation Market Garden.

On his return he was escorted by 1st Lt Paul Munger, but once over Antwerp both aircraft ended up in a flak barrage. Mills' second engine sustains damage and fails over Mechelen.

Mills survives the successful belly landing but suffers serious injuries to both hands and neck. He takes refuge in a local farm and receives the necessary care while waiting for a doctor.
For example, his wounds are cooled with fresh milk, since spring water is not trusted on open wounds.

After hiding for 3 hours 200 meters from his smoldering P-38, he falls into the hands of a German patrol that arrives at the farm looking for the airman. He is taken prisoner of war. One day later on September 4, 1944, the English and Canadian troops would arrive in Putte, the region was liberated, just one day too late for the young American. Alfred is taken to a prison and will only arrive 2 weeks later in a hospital in Frankfurt and later in the Stalag Luft III prison camp.
On April 29 at 10 am, he and his fellow prisoners were liberated by American troops.

In 1988, Mills returned to Putte with some family members to show the place where he had to say goodbye to his beloved Lightning, where he met some of his helpers.

On September 3, 2023 (79 years after the crash), this monument will be unveiled by 4 of Alfred's children, the realization was done by kamp44 Putte, a local circle of friends involved in the Second World War.

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Source

• Text: Glenn Dyck
• Photos: Glenn Dyck