61 Squadron Handley Page Hampden Crew
0.0 miles away
Norfolk
Flying Fortress "Lucky Strike" Crew and Emergency Services
Cawston, Broadland
Good Record
The Memorial
Type
Board / Plaque / Tablet
Inscription
Upper plaque: This memorial to the Crew and Emergency Services was unveiled by John H. Sasson 11071209 from Glencove, New York, U.S.A. Flight Engineer from the "Lucky Strike" on 23rd June 1996 C.R.H Lower plaque column 1: Flying Fortress B-17E-29923 "LUCKY STRIKE" The Crew [crew names listed on memorial] R.H.B.H. Lower plaque column 2: IN MEMORIAM FECIT A.V.F. Lower plaque column 3: With one of its bombs still on board, "Lucky Strike" was returning from a raid on the submarine pens at Kiel, Germany on 5th January1944. The twist of a screwdriver not only dislodged the stuck bomb but 410 gallons of auxiliary fuel. The crew began the trip home, knowing that they did not have enough fuel for the return journey and anything that could be thrown out of the aeroplane was jettisoned. As it dropped in altitude, frost began to build up and even the windshield and instruments iced over. "Lucky Strike" crashed on land at Church Farm, Cawston, narrowly missing the church. Two of the crew died. C.R.H.
Location
Cawston, Broadland, Norfolk
Community Connection
The crew began the trip home, knowing/ that they did not have enough fuel for the return journey and anything/ that could be thrown out of the aeroplane was jettisoned. As it dropped/ in altitude, frost began to build up and even the windshield and/ instruments iced over. "Lucky Strike" crashed on land at Church Farm,/ Cawston, narrowly missing the church.
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Crew
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Sources
IWM War Memorials Register (official_database)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
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Last updated 2026-04-12
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