Crew of the B-17F "Lazy Baby" Memorial - Aesch, BL, Switzerland
Posted by: 
fi67
N 47° 28.724 E 007° 34.428
32T E 392545 N 5259351
A memorial for the crew of the flying fortress "Lazy Baby" who escaped the Black Thursday over Schweinfurt on October 14 1943 and crashed on this field near Aesch and especially Lt. Donald T. Rowley who died the next day from his injuries.
Waymark Code: WMD06X
Location: Basel Landschaft, Switzerland
Date Posted: 11/01/2011
Views: 9
"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)"
List if there are any visiting hours:
24/7
Entrance fees (if it applies): 0
Type of memorial: Monument
Website pertaining to the memorial: Not listed
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