Stanwick Lakes exhibition opens to mark military aircraft crash

The 80th anniversary of a fatal military aircraft collision has been marked with a temporary exhibition.

Two B17 Flying Fortress aircraft crashed as they prepared for a bombing raid in Germany, killing 18 airmen.

A free exhibition at Stanwick Lakes in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire is open until 27 February.

The Stanwick Lakes heritage co-ordinator said it marked a "significant event in local history" and aimed to "remember and commemorate the airmen".

The collision occurred during World War Two, when there had been prominent aircraft activity in the area as there were many USAAF and RAF airfields in Northamptonshire.

On the morning of 22 February 1944 there was a mid-air collision of two B17 Flying Fortress aircraft.

One aircraft was from 303rd Bombardment Group based at Molesworth, the other from 384th Bombardment group based at Grafton Underwood.

They had been assembling above Irthlingborough for a bombing raid on a Junkers aircraft factory in Aschersleben, Germany.

This was part of "Operation Argument", an Allied Forces operation for the bombing of targets in occupied Europe.

While getting into formation, two aircraft collided mid-air, killing all but three airmen who parachuted to safety.

Some of the crash site was in an area that is now part of Stanwick Lakes.

Stanwick Lake volunteers John Abbott and Andy Dyks led the research into the incident.

A ceremony of remembrance was held on Thursday to remember those who died.

Col. Landon Phillips described the event as "humbling".

He said: "Your commitment to cherishing the memory of our fallen wingmen is a testament to our two countries' long-standing special relationship and reinforces the bond between our great nations."

The mayor of Irthlingborough, Ethan Hopkinson, added: "On behalf of the people of Irthlingborough, I express our heartfelt gratitude to the men who lost their lives that day, and all our American friends, who sacrificed so much, arm in arm with our own countrymen, during World War Two in pursuit of the freedom we enjoy today."

Nadia Norman, heritage co-ordinator at Stanwick Lakes, said there was a longer-term heritage project to fundraise for a permanent memorial on the site.

She said: "A permanent memorial here at Stanwick Lakes will help tell the story of self-sacrifice and bravery of our Allied Forces.

"It will be a lasting legacy that shows our communities had and still have a special relationship with US airbases in the local area."

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