Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

42-37963
Hob Uid: 1203338
Location : Norfolk Broadland Reedham
Grid Ref : TG4310403938
Summary : An earthwork marking site of a World War Two aircraft crash site. The aircraft which crashed in early 1944 are two American B-17G Flying Fortress bombers: 42-37963 and 42-231370. They belonged to 549 squadron and 550 squadron respectively. The crash of the two aircraft caused an impact crater. During the collision and crash both crews of ten each were killed. The aircraft had been returning from a raid on Diepholz in North West Germany and were approaching their base at Great Ashfield when they crashed. The site is protected by the 1986 Protection of Military Remains Act. As such anyone wishing to carry out an investigation of the site must first gain permission from the Ministry of Defence.
More information : In June 1998, the site of a crashed B17 'Flying Fortress' bomber was investigated by the Time Team (Channel Four television programme). Excavation, geophysical survey and crash investigation were undertaken over a three day period. Remains of the aircraft were located, the site of the impact being marked by a small crater along a drainage ditch at TG 4210 0393. (1) The aircraft which crashed here are two American B-17G Flying Fortress bombers: 42-37963 and 42-231370. They belonged to 549 squadron and 550 squadron respectively. (2) The aircraft had been returning from a raid on Diepholz in North Western Germany, and were approaching their base at Great Ashfield, when they crashed at Decoy Carr, as a result of a mid air collision. The crews were killed. (3) All ten crew of both aircraft were killed during the crash. Between 29th June 1998 and 1st July 1998 the site was excavated by the Time Team for a programme to be broadcast in 1999. Certain items from the aircraft had been recovered in the 1970s. (4)

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Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : Stewart Ainsworth/28-JUN-1998/RCHME: Time Team
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Page(s) : 79-95
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Source Number : 3
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Page(s) : 58-65
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : The two databases developed by the Project can be searched on-line through the Archaeology Data Service at http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/specColl/dob/index.cfm
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Crashed 1944
Monument End Date : 1944-12-31
Monument Start Date : 1944-01-01
Monument Type : B17 Flying Fortress
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Sub Surface Deposit, Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Defence of Britain Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : S0002738
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : S0002738
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TG 40 SW 14
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1975-01-01
End Date : 1978-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-04-01
End Date : 2002-03-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1998-01-01
End Date : 1998-12-31

Historic England Research Records

42-37963