Memorial Service Commemorates 80th Anniversary of WWII Plane Crash

An observance was conducted to commemorate the 80th anniversary of a World War Two aircraft accident that resulted in the deaths of six individuals. On Monday, scores of attendees, among them relatives of the deceased, convened atop Titterstone Clee Hill in Shropshire. The incident occurred on 25 November 1944, when the US Air Force B-17-G, referred to as the Flying Fortress, collided with the upper edge of an adjacent quarry before crashing onto the hill. Emil Mark DeFrancesco, a California resident, stated, “I came out here because my great-uncle, George C Johnson, is the pilot of the plane.” He informed the BBC that his great-uncle “was basically done with his tour, this was a mission that was just carrying civilian pilots to Ireland,” and added, “He was just married one month earlier, to a British woman.” Over 20 families, predominantly from the United States, journeyed to the crash location to honor their departed relatives. The remembrance event featured the placement of flags at a newly installed commemorative stone, alongside readings of poems and the sharing of personal accounts. Mr DeFrancesco remarked, “For me, understanding what this means, it’s some closure.” He continued, “I feel its going to close some kind of energetic spiritual tragedy that happened here.” He also noted, “The silver lining is all these beautiful families came together, over 20 people from across the world to share something so tragic.” Military personnel from America, The Parachute Regimental Association, and the Royal British Legion were also present. Charles Hartford Cobbs commented, “It really is the most touching thing I can think of, especially to have these servicemen come out and stand there in just a jacket and… give their all, and say these things about these people that they don’t even know.” His great-grandfather, Hartford H. Vereen, after whom he was named, was among the passengers aboard the aircraft. He had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel the day prior to the mishap. He stated, “It’s been something I’ve been interested in my whole life, and it really means a lot to come here today to be able to really involve myself.” He added, “The respect that everyone has is just the best thing that I can think of.” The B17 aircraft, known as the Flying Fortress, had departed from Stansted on the day of the incident. Aboard were passengers Capt Priscilla Gotto, Lt Col Hartford H. Vereen, and Maj Kenneth T. Omley. The crew comprised Staff Sgt Fancis O. Hull, Cpl John E. Bean, and the pilot, Lt George C. Johnson. All five men were members of the United States Army Air Force, while Cpt Gotto belonged to the British Mechanised Transport Corps. The aircraft was en route to RAF Langford Lodge in Northern Ireland and was intended to fly east of Clee Hill, but it was 28 degrees off its designated path. The peak of Titterstone Clee Hill was experiencing a sleet storm with no visibility, meaning Mr Johnson would not have perceived the quarry face until the final instant. According to witnesses, a “huge roar” emanated from the engines as the crew attempted to ascend, but the left wing’s tip struck the upper edge of Dhustone quarry. The aircraft then cartwheeled across the common and onto the hill’s summit. Individuals hurried to the site and placed the victims against stone walls. All perished in the impact, with the exception of Cpl Bean, who succumbed to his injuries in an ambulance en route to Ludlow Cottage Hospital.