41-29418 - B24H Liberator 'Pappy's Chillun' 68 BS, 44 BG, USAAF
Dedicated to
the crew of "PAPPY'S CHILLUN" #41-29418
44th Bomb Group Eighth Army Air Force
68th Bomb Squadron "The Flying Eight Balls"
which crashed at this site
21st April 1944
O-687031 2nd. Lt. Forrest C. Havens, pilot.
Forrest Craig Havens was born on 12th. August 1917, in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas. He was the son of Forrest Fowler Havens and Lola Day Craig Crews. He was married to Nellie Inez Parker Havens.
2nd. Lt. Havens died on 27th. April 1997, at the age of 79 and is buried in the Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA.
O-817399 2nd. Lt. Leon L. Del Grande, co-pilot.
Leon Lawrence Del Grande was born on 18th. August 1923, in San Francisco County, California. He was the son of Elia Del Grande and Leopolda Geriboni Del Grande.
2nd. Lt. De Grande died on 3rd. May 2010, in California, at the age of 86. He is buried in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA.
O-698812 2nd. Lt. James L. Zajicek, navigator, KIA.
2nd. Lt. Zajicek is now buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
O-691634 2nd. Lt. Edward A. Cole, bombardier, KIA.
Edward A. Cole was born on October 11, 1922.
2nd. Lt. Cole is now buried in the Topeka Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, USA. He was aged 21.
18202589 Sgt. Leonard P. Lambert, engineer, KIA.
Leonard Preston, Jr. Lambert was born on 16th. May 1925, in Lamesa, Texas. He was the son of Leonard Preston Lambert and Winnie Davis Giesecke Lambert.
Leonard enlisted on 2nd. November 1942, in Abilene, Texas.
Sgt. Lambert is now buried in Plot: C Row: 5 Grave: 17 at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge. He was aged 19.
Decoration: Purple Heart
15339517 S/Sgt. George R. Houchins, radio operator, KIA.
George B. Houchins, Jr. was born on 28th October 1922.
S/Sgt. Houchins is now buried in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, Richlands, Tazewell County, Virginia, USA. He was aged 22.
*Note: Middle initial on memorial is inscribed as R and not B.
18218286 S/Sgt. Roger W. Edmonson, assistant engineer/turret gunner, KIA.
Roger Williams Edmonson was born on 6th. May 1924, in Red River County, Texas. He was the son of Thomas C. Edmonson and Elizabeth W. Williams Edmonson.
S/Sgt. Edmonson is now buried in the English Cemetery, English, Red River County, Texas, USA. He was aged 19.
Decoration: Purple Heart.
14094125 Sgt. Hartwell J. Higgins, assistant radio operator/waist gunner, KIA.
Hartwell J. Higgins was born 12th. on March 1921.
Sgt. Higgins is now buried in Section J L at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Winder, Barrow County, Georgia, USA. He was aged 23.
1811316 Sgt. Hal N. Wood, ball turret gunner, KIA.
Hal Neal Wood was born on 23rd. March 1922.
Sgt. Wood is now buried in the Wooddale Section at the Roselawn Memorial Park, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA. He was aged 22.
39196030 Sgt. Russell G. Taylor, tail turret gunner, KIA.
Russell G. Taylor was born on 10th. May 1915.
Sgt. Taylor is now buried in Section: J Grave: 965 at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA. He was aged 28.
We remain forever in their debt
Consolidated B-24-H Liberator 41-29418 was originally named as ‘Turnip Termite.’ Its original nose art was painted by Clayton Hutsell at the 486th. Bomb Group at USAAF Station 174 Sudbury in Suffolk, but the aircraft was transferred to USAAF Station 115 Shipdham in Norfolk before he could put the name of 'Turnip Termite' on it. It was renamed 'Pappy’s Chillun' at the 44th. Bomb Group.
41-29418, coded QK -?, crashed on the 21st. April 1944 with the loss of all crew except the pilot and co-pilot. The main body of the wreckage still lies in the lake at Taverham Mills.
The aircraft was on its way on a bombing mission to the German town of Zwickau. During assembly, five miles northwest of Norwich, and one mile northeast of Ringland Hills, the aircraft was climbing into formation, traveling at 155 to 160 mph through overcast, in severe icing conditions. When it reached 14,000 feet, the aircraft lurched violently and started swerving to the right. The pilots had no control over the aircraft as it swerved back to the left, and then started to spin tightly toward the ground. The plane then turned onto its back and the right-wing and tail were torn off by the violent manoeuvres. The two pilots were thrown into the top of the cockpit, and when the cabin ripped apart, they were thrown clear of the wreckage.
No definite statement can be made as to the cause of the accident, but it was the opinion of the investigating board that the airplane picked up too much ice, was forced into a stall, and from there into a spin when it fell apart. The aircraft was heavily loaded with eight 1,000 lb. bombs and 2,700 gallons of fuel. Another aircraft, flown by Lt. Dine of 506th. Bomb Squadron, experienced the same icing conditions. It went into a spin, but the pilots finally managed to recover control at 4,000 feet.
The two survivors from this accident, 2nd. Lieutenant's Havens and Del Grande were taken to the hospital immediately. Havens suffered severe injuries when he landed in a tree, fractured his left ankle, and his spine. He spent some time at the 231st. Hospital. He did not return to the 44th. Bomb Group. Del Grande seriously injured his ankle when he landed. He flew no more missions for the 44th. Bomb Group and was transferred to the 70th. RCD on 10th. December 1944, for transfer back to the United States. However, it appears that Del Grande recovered and was transferred to the 93rd. Bomb Group, where he completed his tour with them.
On 21st. April 2001, 57 years after the crash, this memorial was dedicated at Taverham Mill.
41-29418 - B24H Liberator 'Pappy's Chillun' 68 BS, 44 BG, USAAF
Dedicated to
the crew of "PAPPY'S CHILLUN" #41-29418
44th Bomb Group Eighth Army Air Force
68th Bomb Squadron "The Flying Eight Balls"
which crashed at this site
21st April 1944
O-687031 2nd. Lt. Forrest C. Havens, pilot.
Forrest Craig Havens was born on 12th. August 1917, in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas. He was the son of Forrest Fowler Havens and Lola Day Craig Crews. He was married to Nellie Inez Parker Havens.
2nd. Lt. Havens died on 27th. April 1997, at the age of 79 and is buried in the Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA.
O-817399 2nd. Lt. Leon L. Del Grande, co-pilot.
Leon Lawrence Del Grande was born on 18th. August 1923, in San Francisco County, California. He was the son of Elia Del Grande and Leopolda Geriboni Del Grande.
2nd. Lt. De Grande died on 3rd. May 2010, in California, at the age of 86. He is buried in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA.
O-698812 2nd. Lt. James L. Zajicek, navigator, KIA.
2nd. Lt. Zajicek is now buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
O-691634 2nd. Lt. Edward A. Cole, bombardier, KIA.
Edward A. Cole was born on October 11, 1922.
2nd. Lt. Cole is now buried in the Topeka Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, USA. He was aged 21.
18202589 Sgt. Leonard P. Lambert, engineer, KIA.
Leonard Preston, Jr. Lambert was born on 16th. May 1925, in Lamesa, Texas. He was the son of Leonard Preston Lambert and Winnie Davis Giesecke Lambert.
Leonard enlisted on 2nd. November 1942, in Abilene, Texas.
Sgt. Lambert is now buried in Plot: C Row: 5 Grave: 17 at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge. He was aged 19.
Decoration: Purple Heart
15339517 S/Sgt. George R. Houchins, radio operator, KIA.
George B. Houchins, Jr. was born on 28th October 1922.
S/Sgt. Houchins is now buried in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, Richlands, Tazewell County, Virginia, USA. He was aged 22.
*Note: Middle initial on memorial is inscribed as R and not B.
18218286 S/Sgt. Roger W. Edmonson, assistant engineer/turret gunner, KIA.
Roger Williams Edmonson was born on 6th. May 1924, in Red River County, Texas. He was the son of Thomas C. Edmonson and Elizabeth W. Williams Edmonson.
S/Sgt. Edmonson is now buried in the English Cemetery, English, Red River County, Texas, USA. He was aged 19.
Decoration: Purple Heart.
14094125 Sgt. Hartwell J. Higgins, assistant radio operator/waist gunner, KIA.
Hartwell J. Higgins was born 12th. on March 1921.
Sgt. Higgins is now buried in Section J L at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Winder, Barrow County, Georgia, USA. He was aged 23.
1811316 Sgt. Hal N. Wood, ball turret gunner, KIA.
Hal Neal Wood was born on 23rd. March 1922.
Sgt. Wood is now buried in the Wooddale Section at the Roselawn Memorial Park, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA. He was aged 22.
39196030 Sgt. Russell G. Taylor, tail turret gunner, KIA.
Russell G. Taylor was born on 10th. May 1915.
Sgt. Taylor is now buried in Section: J Grave: 965 at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA. He was aged 28.
We remain forever in their debt
Consolidated B-24-H Liberator 41-29418 was originally named as ‘Turnip Termite.’ Its original nose art was painted by Clayton Hutsell at the 486th. Bomb Group at USAAF Station 174 Sudbury in Suffolk, but the aircraft was transferred to USAAF Station 115 Shipdham in Norfolk before he could put the name of 'Turnip Termite' on it. It was renamed 'Pappy’s Chillun' at the 44th. Bomb Group.
41-29418, coded QK -?, crashed on the 21st. April 1944 with the loss of all crew except the pilot and co-pilot. The main body of the wreckage still lies in the lake at Taverham Mills.
The aircraft was on its way on a bombing mission to the German town of Zwickau. During assembly, five miles northwest of Norwich, and one mile northeast of Ringland Hills, the aircraft was climbing into formation, traveling at 155 to 160 mph through overcast, in severe icing conditions. When it reached 14,000 feet, the aircraft lurched violently and started swerving to the right. The pilots had no control over the aircraft as it swerved back to the left, and then started to spin tightly toward the ground. The plane then turned onto its back and the right-wing and tail were torn off by the violent manoeuvres. The two pilots were thrown into the top of the cockpit, and when the cabin ripped apart, they were thrown clear of the wreckage.
No definite statement can be made as to the cause of the accident, but it was the opinion of the investigating board that the airplane picked up too much ice, was forced into a stall, and from there into a spin when it fell apart. The aircraft was heavily loaded with eight 1,000 lb. bombs and 2,700 gallons of fuel. Another aircraft, flown by Lt. Dine of 506th. Bomb Squadron, experienced the same icing conditions. It went into a spin, but the pilots finally managed to recover control at 4,000 feet.
The two survivors from this accident, 2nd. Lieutenant's Havens and Del Grande were taken to the hospital immediately. Havens suffered severe injuries when he landed in a tree, fractured his left ankle, and his spine. He spent some time at the 231st. Hospital. He did not return to the 44th. Bomb Group. Del Grande seriously injured his ankle when he landed. He flew no more missions for the 44th. Bomb Group and was transferred to the 70th. RCD on 10th. December 1944, for transfer back to the United States. However, it appears that Del Grande recovered and was transferred to the 93rd. Bomb Group, where he completed his tour with them.
On 21st. April 2001, 57 years after the crash, this memorial was dedicated at Taverham Mill.