Old Leake W.5667 Memorial
1.2 miles away
Lincolnshire
Wrangle 42-95103 Memorial
Wrangle, Lincolnshire
Partial Record
The Memorial
USAAF memorial.
Type
USAAF memorial
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Wrangle, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///comet.tonsils.scream
What Happened
On 13 July 1944, B-24J Liberator 42-95103 of the 579th Bomb Squadron took off from Wendling to assemble in formation for a mission to Saarbrücken, Germany. During assembly, the aircraft encountered severe icing conditions, causing it to spin out of control and crash at Wrangle Common, Lincolnshire. Eight crew members were killed, including pilot 1st Lt. Norman J. Hunt and navigator William J. Hession, who was 26 years old. One crew member survived. Those lost included co-pilot Peter B. Roetzel, engineer Walter L. McKinzie Jr., radio operator Harold C. Wilkinson, and gunners Mark Osment, Daniel L. McEwan, and Leonard A. Jackson.
Community Connection
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Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
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Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
B-24J Liberator 42-95103
Squadron
579th Bomb Sqdn.
Station
Wendling (USAAF)
Date of Loss
1944-07-13
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Assembling for mission to Saarbrucken, Germany
Cause of Loss
Severe aircraft icing during formation assembly; aircraft spun in and crashed at Wrangle Common
Crew (10 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Wrangle Parish Council
USAAF memorial.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Wrangle & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Wrangle Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
US War MemorialsRetrieved 2026-03-23
US War Memorials database entry for the B-24 42-95103 memorial plaque at Wrangle Common, Lincolnshire. The plaque bears the 8th Air Force insignia, a B-24 aircraft depiction, and the 579th Bomb Squadron insignia, commemorating the crew who crashed on 13 July 1944.
What you'll find: Explore US War Memorials' entry for Wrangle's 42-95103 memorial plaque at Lincolnshire.
Aircraft nose-art was 'BERLIN BITCH'Took off from Wendling airfield assembling for Saarbrucken missionSevere icing caused aircraft to spin in at Wrangle CommonS/Sgt Mark Osment bailed out and survivedBombs did not explode but caused anxious moments during ensuing fire
American Air MuseumRetrieved 2026-03-23
American Air Museum in Britain archive page for the 579th Bomb Squadron, part of the 392nd Bomb Group based at Wendling. Documents the squadron's operations including losses such as the B-24J 42-95103 crash at Wrangle.
What you'll find: Explore American Air Museum's archive for 579th Bomb Squadron's history and WWII aircraft details.
579th was part of 392nd Bomb Group (Heavy)Based at Wendling airfield, NorfolkOperated B-24 Liberators in the 8th Air Force
American Battle Monuments CommissionRetrieved 2026-03-23
ABMC database listing for the 579th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group (Heavy), recording American servicemen buried or memorialised through ABMC cemeteries, including those lost in the Wrangle crash.
What you'll find: Detailed records of American soldiers interred at the Wrangle 42-95103 Memorial from the American Battle Monuments Commission database.
Official US government burial records for 579th Bomb Squadron personnelPart of 392nd Bomb Group (Heavy)
Find a GraveRetrieved 2026-03-23
Find a Grave memorial for 2nd Lt William J. Hession, navigator of B-24J 42-95103, killed in the Wrangle Common crash on 13 July 1944. Hession was from Illinois and served with the 579th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group.
What you'll find: Explore Find a Grave memorial for WWII navigator William J. Hession, who tragically died in Wrangle Common crash on July 13, 1944.
Navigator 2nd Lt William J. Hession from Illinois confirmed KIAFormal burial record available
Find a GraveRetrieved 2026-03-23
Find a Grave memorial for T/Sgt Harold C. Wilkinson, radio operator of B-24J 42-95103, killed in the Wrangle Common crash on 13 July 1944. Wilkinson was from West Virginia and served with the 579th Bomb Squadron.
What you'll find: Find a Grave memorial for T/Sgt Harold C. Wilkinson, radio operator of B-24J 42-95103, who tragically died in Wrangle Common crash on July 13, 1944.
Radio operator T/Sgt Harold C. Wilkinson from West Virginia confirmed KIAFormal burial record available
Nearby Memorials
Sources
US War Memorials (retrieved 2026-03-23)
American Air Museum (retrieved 2026-03-23)
American Battle Monuments Commission (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Find a Grave (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Find a Grave (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
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