Bomber Command Memorial Register

Cave Hill 42-97862 Memorial

Cave Hill, Belfast, Moray

Partial Record
Approximate location?

Help us verify this location. This memorial's position is not yet precisely confirmed. If you have local knowledge, photographs, or documentary evidence of the exact site, we'd love to hear from you.

Location

Cave Hill, Belfast, Moray, Moray

what3words: ///declaring.affords.unabashedly

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
B-17 Flying Fortress 42-97862
Squadron
USAAF
Date of Loss
1944-06-01

Crew

10 killed; buried at Lisnabreeny American Cemetery

Memorial Details

Type
Repainted memorial stone on Cave Hill (listed as historic landmark by NI Environment Agency, May 2016)

Local Contacts

These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.

Elgin Branch, Legion Scotlandlegion scotland

Local remembrance and memorial support

Further Reading

WartimeNIRetrieved 2026-03-23

Detailed account of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-97862 crashing on Cave Hill, Belfast on 1 June 1944. The aircraft was transferring from 401st Bomb Group to 306th Bomb Group at Nutts Corner when thick fog caused disorientation. All 10 crew killed.

En route from Gander, NewfoundlandDiverted to Nutts Corner due to fogAll 10 buried at Lisnabreeny American Cemetery

Belfast EntriesRetrieved 2026-03-23

Local history account of the B-17 crash on Cave Hill. Notes the memorial stone was repainted and listed as a historic landmark by the NI Environment Agency in May 2016.

Memorial listed as historic landmark May 2016Memorial located within Belfast Zoo area

Amazon (book reference)Retrieved 2026-03-23

Book '42-97862' by William Lindsay and Alfred Montgomery tells the full story of the crash. Montgomery found crew member Lawrence Dundon's wedding ring at the crash site in 1991 and returned it to his widow, inspiring Richard Attenborough's film 'Closing The Ring'.

Wedding ring found at site in 1991 by Alfred MontgomeryInspired film 'Closing The Ring' by Richard AttenboroughPublished book documenting full story

Sources

  • wartimeni.com; belfastentries.com(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
WartimeNI (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Belfast Entries (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Amazon (book reference) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-21

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This record for Cave Hill 42-97862 Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.

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