Cadets from 432 (Woodbridge) and 356 (Felixstowe) Squadron Air Cadets attended a memorial ceremony at Ramsholt Quay on Thursday 20 February 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the WW2 crash of an American B-17 Flying Fortress bomber (‘568’) into the River Deben.
The crash killed eight of the ten crew and was witnessed by Harbour Master George Collins who has been laying a wreath every year since then. Relatives of the crew from the USA who had made the joruney to take part in the ceremony, and children of the pilot and flight engineer survivors spoke of the gratitude that they felt towards the local men who had rescued their fathers.
The 493rd Bomb Group Museum at RAF Debach brought along some veteran WW2 military vehicles and a local brass band and piper provided musical accompaniment. Pupils from Bawdsey Primary School also read poems they had written about the crew.
Cadets carried Banners from both Squadrons alongside those from The Royal British Legion, with other cadets taking part in the parade – supported by Officer Commanding 356 (Felixstowe) Squadron Flt Lt Kim Balshaw.
Despite the high winds, there was a fly-past by a MC-130 Hercules and a V-22 Osprey from RAF Mildenhall.
Once the formal part of the event was over, the Ramsholt Arms very kindly provided refreshments for the cadets who also the had the unexpected honour and pleasure of meeting 95-year old former Flight Lieutenant Denis Elliot who had flown thirty operational bombing missions in B-24 Liberators in the Far East during WW2.
