Vickers Wellington BJ764
7.6 miles away
Norfolk
Garvestone 42-95160 Memorial
Garvestone, Norfolk
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Garvestone, Reymerston and Thuxton Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Garvestone, Norfolk, Norfolk
what3words: ///modules.unwound.brings
What Happened
On 4 June 1944, Lt. Raymond Sachtleben and his ten-man crew departed North Pickenham airfield in their B-24H Liberator to bomb the airfield at Avord, France — two days before the D-Day landings. During the climb to cruising altitude, Sachtleben performed an evasive manoeuvre, believed to have been made to avoid a mid-air collision with another B-24. The force of the manoeuvre exceeded the fully-loaded aircraft's limits, causing a wingtip to separate and the bomber to stall. Witnesses from another crew saw the aircraft falling through cloud cover upside down before it struck the ground beside cottages on the edge of Garvestone village, killing all ten men aboard. Two firefighters who responded to the crash also lost their lives, bringing the total dead to twelve. The Garvestone Twelve Memorial commemorates all those killed that day.
Community Connection
The memorial project was initiated by Michael Garrod during a Parish Council meeting at Thuxton Church in July 2010.
The memorial project was instigated by Michael Garrod during the Parish Council meeting at Thuxton Church on a summer evening in July 2010.
Remembrance
Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.
Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
B-24 Liberator 42-95160
Squadron
492 BG
Station
North Pickenham (USAAF)
Date of Loss
1944-06-04
Crew (3 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Garvestone, Reymerston and Thuxton Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Dereham Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Garvestone, Reymerston and Thuxton Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
American Air Museum in BritainRetrieved 2026-03-23
Record for B-24H Liberator 42-95160 of the 856th Bomb Squadron, 492nd Bomb Group. The aircraft was lost on 4 June 1944 during a mission to bomb the airfield at Avord, France, when an evasive manoeuvre to avoid mid-air collision caused a structural failure.
What you'll find: Detailed records of B-24H Liberator 42-95160's wartime service and tragic loss in June 1944.
Lt Raymond Sachtleben was the pilot. A wing tip separated during an evasive manoeuvre, causing the aircraft to stall. Last seen falling inverted through clouds. All ten crew killed.
US War MemorialsRetrieved 2026-03-23
Details of the 'Garvestone Twelve' memorial outside the village hall, commemorating ten USAAF aircrew and two US Army firefighters killed on 4 June 1944. The memorial was unveiled by Col. Sonny Blinkinsop, US Air Attache, on 6 June 2012.
What you'll find: Details of the Garvestone Twelve Memorial honoring fallen USAAF crew and firefighters at this link.
The aircraft crashed into unoccupied cottages at Hardingham. Two firefighters were killed attempting to rescue the crew. Memorial unveiled on 6 June 2012 (D-Day anniversary).
Nearby Memorials
Sources
American Air Museum in Britain (retrieved 2026-03-23)
US War Memorials (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Norfolk (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
Suggest a correction or addition