Nailstone 43-37776 Memorial

Nailstone, Leicestershire

Partial Record

The Memorial

It is maintained by Nailstone Parish Council.

Type

Physical memorial

Inscription

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LocationApproximate Location

Nailstone, Leicestershire, Leicestershire

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What Happened

The bomber was on a training flight from Eye to Liverpool when it ran into trouble near Desford aerodrome. It was fully loaded with bombs and ammunition. Trying to turn to reach Desfords runway it flew low over Barlestone and over the edge of Nailstone before hitting a tree on farmland and exploding, killing all 12 airmen. The aircraft was destroyed in the explosion and subsequent fire. The cause of the problem is not known. Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.leicestermercury.co.uk Source of photos: www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk, Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register IN MEMORY OF OUR FALLEN COMRADES 490TH BOMB GROUP FLIGHT CREW ON THE B17 FLYING FORTRESS APTLY NAMED HEAVENLY BODY. ON 27TH SEPTEMBER 1944 ALL CREWMEMBERS LOST THEIR LIVES IN THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES, THEY SHALL RUN, AND NOT BE WEARY, AND THEY SHALL WALK, AND NOT FAINT 849th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bombardment Group, Heavy @2008 American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.

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Remembrance

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Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type

B-17 Fortress 43-37776

Squadron

490th Bomb Group

Station

Eye (USAAF)

Date of Loss

1944-09-27

Operation Type

Training

Cause of Loss

Nose dropped during turn; port wing struck ground; destroyed by fire and explosion

Crew (15 members)

Rank	Name	Role	Age	Nationality	Fate	Burial / Status
1st Lt	Michael H. Primus	Pilot	—	—	Killed	5 buried at Cambridge American Cemetery; 7 repatriated to USA
1st Lt	Louis G. Deputy	Co-pilot	—	—	Killed	—
2nd Lt	Richard J. Hermann	Navigator	—	—	Killed	Cambridge American Cemetery
2nd Lt	Robert C. Simmons	Bomb Aimer	—	—	Killed	Cambridge American Cemetery
T/Sgt	Roy E. Griswold	Flight Engineer	—	—	Killed	—
T/Sgt	Claude Keele	Radio Operator	—	—	Killed	—
S/Sgt	Harry Stoever	Ball Turret Gunner	—	—	Killed	—
S/Sgt	Lawrence I. Richter	Waist Gunner	—	—	Killed	Cambridge American Cemetery
S/Sgt	Americo Vergili	Tail Gunner	—	—	Killed	—
S/Sgt	John C. Barry	Passenger	—	—	Killed	—
S/Sgt	Ralph W. Franke	Passenger	—	—	Killed	Cambridge American Cemetery
S/Sgt	Edward Shively	Passenger	—	—	Killed	Cambridge American Cemetery
—	Rich Herman	Navigator	—	—	Killed	—
Unknown	Roy Griswould	Flight engineer/top turret gunner	—	—	Killed	—
Unknown	Americo Virgili	Tail gunner	—	—	Killed	—

About the Crew

1st Lt Michael H. PrimusPilot

Killed when the B-17 struck a tree during a low-altitude turn near Nailstone and exploded. All twelve aboard died.

First Lieutenant and pilot of the B-17 'Heavenly Body', 490th Bomb Group.

1st Lt Louis G. DeputyCo-pilot

Killed in the crash and explosion at Nailstone.

First Lieutenant and co-pilot of the 'Heavenly Body'.

2nd Lt Richard J. HermannNavigator