On January 2nd 1945, the skies over Norfolk resonated once again with the sound of a crashing aircraft, when B-17 42-32112 of the 337th BS/96th BG based at Snetterton Heath crashed whilst forming up over Beachamwell a stone’s throw east of RAF Downham Market and ten miles north of its base.

The aircraft, a Boeing B-17G-35-BO was delivered to Cheyenne Airport from Modification Centre 10 on 2th January 1944, and then passed to Hunter Air Force Base the following month. After passing through Presque Island on March 6th it was assigned to 337th BS, 96th BG as “AW-F” then based at Snetterton Heath (Station 138) England.*¹

Its history was full of drama. On the 1st October 1944, it was carrying out a training operation with another B-17G 44-6137 ‘The Abortion Queen (AW-J) also of the 337th BS and a P-47D Thunderbolt 42-25690 (WZ-U) ‘Lady Helen’ of the 84th FS, 78th FG, RAF Duxford. During the manoeuvres, the P-47 would make mock attacks on the two aircraft allowing the gunners to train under simulated combat conditions. After completing the operation, the P-47 pulled alongside the two aircraft but misjudged his position and collided with  the two B-17s.

The P-47, severely damaged, crashed in a filed near to the church in Grinstead Green, Halstead, Essex, killing the pilot who reportedly veered away from the church at the last minute. The two B-17s both landed without injury to either crew.

Then later, on 2nd January 1945, the B-17 was was again in action, this time forming up over Norfolk as part of a massive 1,000 bomber raid consisting of B-24s and B17s from each of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Air Divisions, escorted by 500 P-51s and P47s of the same Divisions. The 96th were ordered to attack Erhang, Germany.

As the 41 aircraft of the 96th gathered and jostled for position  in the Norfolk skies, B-17 42-32112 collided with another aircraft causing it to fall from the sky, crashing ten miles north of the base over Beachamwell, not far from Downham Market, Norfolk,  with the loss of all on board.

The nine crew that day were: Pilot: 2nd Lt. Joseph H. Miller, Co-pilot: James P. Thoeness, Navigator: Robert I. Drum, Togglier: Raymond F. Freidmann, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Sgt. Stephen Duhon, Radio Operator: Tech. Sgt. Leon R. Grabill, Ball turret gunner: S. Sgt. James J. Flaherty, Waist gunner: S. Sgt. Donald E. Willgus, and Tail gunner: S.Sgt. William E. Parton*².

It was the only aircraft lost by the squadron that day and was later salvaged.

The full story of RAF Downham Market appears in Trail 7, and the history of Snetterton Heath appears in Trail 27.

Sources:

*¹ Freeman. R., The B-17 Flying Fortress Story. Arms and Armour, 1998

*² American Air Museum website. accessed 4.6.2026

The 96th BG Association website accessed 10/6/2026