B-17F 'Lazy Baby' Crash on October 14, 1943 - Aesch, BL, Switzerland
Posted by: 
fi67
N 47° 28.724 E 007° 34.428
32T E 392545 N 5259351
Flying fortress "Lazy Baby" of the 305th Bomb Group escaped the Black Thursday over Schweinfurt heavily damaged and crashed on this field near Aesch less than a minute after crossing the German border.
Waymark Code: WMCZY4
Location: Basel Landschaft, Switzerland
Date Posted: 10/31/2011
Views: 12
"On the morning of October 14th 1943 along with 15 others from the 305th Bomb Group, Lazy Baby set off from Chelveston in England on Mission 115, the second Schweinfurt raid, later to become known as Black Thursday. By the time they reached Aachen on the outward leg only Lazy Baby and two others of the 305th were left flying, They were then seriously damaged and three crew severely injured whilst two bailed out. Diving from 23,000 ft to only 3,000 ft, pilot Ed Dienhart managed to escape the attacking fighters. With the ball turret gunner trapped and navigator seriously injured they proceeded at 30 to 50 feet, hedge-hopping all the way, to Switzerland and safety. Guided by the navigator Don Rowley who, despite having both arms virtually severed, managed to steer them from memory for over an hour to Switzerland where they made a dramatic crash landing only four miles from the German border. The navigator died the following day from his injuries." Source: (http://www.military-art.com/mall/more.php?ProdID=4878)
There is a monument in the corner of the field. It is a large stone cut in two nearly symmetric pieces that are kept together by two overlapping bronze plaques.
The text on the plaque:
"Notlandung einer fliegenden Festung
(B-17F der 8. US Army Air Force)
auf dem Schattfeld am 14. Oktober 1943
Besatzung:
E. Dienhart, D. Rowley, C. Johnson
H. Smith, R. Baus, R. Cinibulk
C. Zullo, B. Segal"
The lower plaque:
"Lt. Donald T. Rowley
geb. 26. Juni 1921
starb am 15. Oktober 1943 in
Basel an seinen Verletzungen
He died,
so we may live in liberty."
Translation:
"Crash landing of a flying fortress
(B-17F of the 8th US Army Air Force)
on Schattfeld on October 14 1943
Crew:
E. Dienhart, D. Rowley, C. Johnson
H. Smith, R. Baus, R. Cinibulk
C. Zullo, B. Segal"
The lower plaque:
"Lt. Donald T. Rowley
born June 26 1921
died on October 15 1943 in
Basel from his injuries.
He died,
so we may live in liberty. (English in original)"
Date of Crash: 10/14/1943
Aircraft Model: B-17F
Military or Civilian: Military
Tail Number: WF-H
Cause of Crash:
Heavy damages after an air fight
Web Address for Related Web Sites: Not listed
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