Memorial Crash B-24J 42-100203

Memorial topped with a plaque with text in French and English:
"For our freedom, on April 12, 1944, eleven airmen
of the U.S. Air Force were killed in this neighborhood "

"Remembrance of the Civilian Casualties of Longueville
murdered by the Nazis on September 7, 1944 "(only in French)

At the bottom: 2 smaller plaques with the names of the 9 killed airmen.

On April 12, 1944, 455 aircraft took off from England in the late morning to bomb two large German industrial sites. There was so much fog on the German border that the entire fleet was ordered to return to their base. On its way back the aircraft B-24J was intercepted and attacked by a German fighter. It fell near Tohogne.
Although 11 is listed, only 9 crew members would have died.
One co-pilot, Robert Ripps, survived and was rescued by the resistance.

Of the crew, 5 airmen are burried on the Ardennes American Cemetery at Neuville-en-Condroz (Belgium);

Sgt. Cantor
Sgt. Ellis
Sgt. Hynes
Sgt. Limes
2LT Perry

On the Netherlands-American Cemetery at Margraten (Netherlands) is burried;

PFC Cottrell

The remaining three men of the aircrew were repatriated to the United States of America after the war.

Private First Class Cottrell, tail gunner
Sergeant Milton, right waist gunner
Staff-Sergeant Caplane, top turret gunner
Sergeant Ellis, ball turret gunner
Sergeant Hynes, left waist gunner
Staff-Sergeant Limes, radio operator
2e Luitenant Love, pilot
2e Luitenant Perry, navigator
2e Luitenant Swanson, bombardier

The reason why five of the aircrew were burried at the Ardennes Cemetery can be found in the presence of a laboratory at this cemetery. Therefore there were more options for identification. There were more research facilities. This is also ther reason why this cemetery was designed at the shape of a cross. In all directions graves could be added to the cemetery after identification. Untill today this is still the case. This cemetery was designated of reburial of any soldier who died in the 2d World War to be found.

On Thursday, September 7, 1944, the German army fled the advance of the American troops. A German officer was shot dead by a sniper at the place La Haisse. This could not go unpunished. In the afternoon the Germans set fire to the farm of La Haisse, as well as some haystacks and sheds. In the evening they returned, determined to avenge the death of the officer. They blocked all the exits from Longueville. Many farms were set on fire and four civilians, including a child, were killed by German bullets.

The U.S. Air Force Memorial commemorates both the death of the American crew and the massacre of the four civilians. It was founded on the initiative of Jean Godinache and Jean-Pol Bair. It was inaugurated on September 9, 1984 as part of the ceremonies of the 40th anniversary of the liberation.

Source: BELLIN François, "La tragédie de Longueville du 7 Septembre 1944", Article published on the site de l'église romane Saint-Martin de Tohogne.
Ville de Durbuy, Partie 1: "Ne les oublions jamais! By Yves-Marie RENARD

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Source

• Text: Marie-Christine Vinck en Ed Lewandowski
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck (1, 2), Luc van Waeyenberge (3, 4), Ed Lewandowski (5)