Blythburgh (PB4Y-1) Memorial

Local remembrance and memorial support

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Lt Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., eldest son of Ambassador Joseph Kennedy and older brother of future President John F. Kennedy, volunteered for Operation Aphrodite. On 12 August 1944, his BQ-8 drone aircraft (converted PB4Y-1 Liberator, serial 42-110007) loaded with 21,170 lb of Torpex explosive detonated prematurely over Blythburgh, Suffolk before the planned crew bailout.

Kennedy was JFK's older brotherEldest son of Ambassador Joseph KennedyVolunteered for dangerous Aphrodite mission21,170 lb Torpex explosive payloadLast words: radio code 'Spade Flush'Premature detonation before planned bailout near RAF Manston

The American Air Museum records aircraft 42-110007 as a PB4Y-1 Liberator used in Operation Aphrodite, a programme using radio-controlled explosive-laden bombers against hardened V-weapon sites in France.

American Air Museum aircraft recordTarget was suspected V-3 site at Mimoyecques

Detailed account of Kennedy's Aphrodite mission, describing how the BQ-8 completed its first remote-controlled turn at 2,000 feet near the North Sea coast before the explosives detonated prematurely. Kennedy and co-pilot Lt Wilford 'Bud' Willy were killed instantly; wreckage scattered near Blythburgh causing damage but no ground casualties.

Aircraft completed first remote turn at 2,000 feetPremature detonation near North Sea coastCo-pilot was Lt Wilford 'Bud' WillyWreckage hit Blythburgh area, no ground casualtiesKennedy had already completed 25 combat missions

Overview of Operation Aphrodite, the secret programme using converted B-17 and PB4Y-1 bombers as radio-controlled flying bombs against V-weapon sites. Kennedy's Navy mission was part of this larger Allied effort to destroy hardened German targets that conventional bombing could not reach.

Secret programme using drone bombersTargeted V-weapon sitesBoth Army (B-17) and Navy (PB4Y-1) variants used