Crew of Lincoln Bomber RE373 of 97 Squadron
7.6 miles away
Norfolk
Reedham (mid-air collision) 42-31370 Memorial
Reedham (mid-air collision), Norfolk
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Reedham Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Reedham (mid-air collision), Norfolk, Norfolk
what3words: ///mainly.imperious.overpower
What Happened
Crews of two B-17 Flying Fortresses from the 385th Bomb Group were flying a wartime mission from their base at Great Ashfield when the two aircraft collided in mid-air over Reedham Marshes, Norfolk, on 21 February 1944. Commander John Hutchison led one aircraft; Commander Warren Pease, of the 449th Bomber Squadron, commanded the other. The collision proved catastrophic: 21 of the 22 airmen aboard both aircraft were killed. Among those lost were William Gill Jr and John Terrace. Only one man survived the disaster.
Community Connection
The story is connected to a memorial dedicated to these bombers and their crews.
Remembrance
Diversionary Raid on Diepholz Aircraft Depot(February 21, 1944)
34 aircraft from the 385th Bomber Group, 4th Bombardment Wing, 8th Air Force carried out a raid on Diepholz aircraft depot in N.W. Germany while the main force attacked an aircraft components works at Brunswick in Lower Saxony.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
B-17 42-37963 and B-17 42-31370
Squadron
385th BG
Station
Great Ashfield (USAAF)
Date of Loss
1944-02-21
Crew (11 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Reedham Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Acle and District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Reedham Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
American Air Museum in BritainRetrieved 2026-03-23
American Air Museum archive entry for the Reedham War Memorial, documenting the mid-air collision of two B-17G Flying Fortresses from the 549th and 550th Bomb Squadrons of the 385th Bomb Group on 21 February 1944.
What you'll find: American Air Museum's archive entry for Reedham War Memorial: mid-air collision of B-17G Flying Fortresses in 21st century summary.
549th and 550th Bomb Squadrons involvedBoth crews of ten killedPart of 900-plane mission returning from Germany
US War MemorialsRetrieved 2026-03-23
US War Memorials registry entry for the B-17 42-37963 and 42-31370 memorial at Reedham. Documents the memorial stone listing all fallen crew members from the collision.
What you'll find: The names of fallen crew members in this US War Memorials registry entry for B-17s 42-37963 and 42-31370 at Reedham.
Memorial stone lists all 21 crew namesUS War Memorials reference MemID 2638
Great Yarmouth MercuryRetrieved 2026-03-23
Local newspaper coverage of remembrance events at the Reedham War Memorial. The aircraft were returning from a raid on Diepholz in North West Germany and collided in cloud just minutes from landing at Great Ashfield.
What you'll find: Read about local newspaper's coverage of remembrance events at the Reedham War Memorial.
Returning from Diepholz raidCollision occurred in cloudAircraft minutes from landingLt Warren J. Pease was pilot of 42-37963
Channel 4 / Time TeamRetrieved 2026-03-23
Time Team Series 6, Episode 8 documented the archaeological excavation of B-17 42-37963 crash site at Reedham Marshes in 1999. The television excavation brought national attention to the crash site.
What you'll find: Explore Time Team's documentary on the WWII aircraft crash site at Reedham Marshes.
Time Team excavated crash site in 1999Series 6 Episode 8Brought national attention to the memorial
American Air Museum in Britain (personnel)Retrieved 2026-03-23
Personnel record for Lieutenant Warren Jay Pease, pilot of B-17G 42-37963 who apparently lost control in cloud and collided with another Fortress in the formation over Reedham Marshes.
What you'll find: Detailed personnel records of American WWII bomber pilots involved in mid-air collision at Reedham Marshes.
Capt John H. Hutchison in B-17 42-31370 was on his 25th and final mission
Nearby Memorials
Sources
American Air Museum in Britain (retrieved 2026-03-23)
US War Memorials (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Great Yarmouth Mercury (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Channel 4 / Time Team (retrieved 2026-03-23)
American Air Museum in Britain (personnel) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Norfolk (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
With thanks to
Mary Blanche — Local contributor — memorial information and photographs
Last updated 2026-04-09
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