We will remember - Greenham Common American Services Memorial

We will remember
A fundraising brochure
to remember the US Servicemen
who lost their lives
at Greenham Common
Fundraising for a New Memorial
"This memorial will be dedicated to the memory of all American servicemen who lost their
lives whilst serving their country and helping to preserve freedom."
Greenham Common Trust has agreed to support the Newbury Branch of the Royal British Legion
with its plans for a new memorial at the Trust's business park, New Greenham Park, to remember
the 16 servicemen who were killed when two B-17 Bombers collided above Greenham Common on
December 15th 1944. The town of Newbury and Greenham airbase were already in mourning after
33 airmen were tragically killed just three days earlier when their Horsa Glider crashed on take off.
The 31 American paratroopers of the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment and two glider pilots of the
88th Troop Carrier Squadron were transported to Greenham Common airfield for a flight in the large
British made Horsa glider. However, their training flight was to end in disaster when it crash landed
on take off, killing the whole crew.
Two B-17 Flying Fortress Bombers from the 368th and 423rd squadrons of the 306th Bombing
Group were returning from a tough mission in the German industrial heartland of Kassel when a
terrible accident occurred killing all but two of the 18 American airmen.
On the 50th anniversary of the glider crash, the Newbury branch of the Royal British Legion and the
17th Airborne Division Association worked together with the former airbase's land agents Vail
Williams to build a memorial at the site in memory of the 33 servicemen who lost their lives. It was
dedicated by the 17th Airborne Division Association, which provided the plaque, on December 12th
1994. An annual remembrance service has been held by the Royal British Legion at the park every
Newbury welcomes one of the 2,000 Americans based at Greenham
December since and the Trust has named several
roads and buildings on the business park after
the paratroopers and pilots who were killed.
The Royal British Legion is now raising funds
for a new memorial to commemorate not only
the lives of those lost in the B-17 and glider
crashes but all American servicemen associated
with Greenham Common, or its environs, who
were killed in action.
Initial ideas include a tri-part granite memorial
with bronze plaques, with the original glider
memorial plaque transferred to the new site. A
final design will be created when the estimated
£25,000 funding is secured.
The proposed memorial site on New Greenham Park
Greenham Common Trust has agreed to provide a piece of land on the park for the new memorial
and has created this brochure to help raise funds and increase awareness of the American servicemen
who lost their lives at Greenham or on missions in Europe.
Keith Williams, Secretary of the Newbury Branch of the Royal
British Legion, said: "These young men died tragically, many
miles from their homes and families. It is our honour to
remember the sacrifice they made in the defence of freedom.
The transformation of the former airbase into New
Greenham Park and the charitable income that the business
park will produce for generations to come is a fitting tribute
to all those who gave thier lives."
Royal British Legion Branch Secretary,
Keith Williams
Badge of the 17th Airborne Division
The first part of the memorial - the Horsa Glider Crash
On 12th December 1944, 31 paratroopers from the 17th Airborne Division, (mostly from C
Company, 194th Glider Infantry Regiment) and two glider pilots of the 88th Troop Carrier Squadron
gathered at the Greenham airbase for Horsa Glider Flight training purposes. The flight ended in a
horrific crash killing all 33 crew.
Members of C Company, 194th Glider Infantry Regiment and selected members of Regimental
Headquarters and their medical section were transported to Greenham Common airfield for a flight
in the large British made Horsa glider. It was a clear bright day and most of the men were excited
about riding in a glider other than the American CG 4A to which they had become accustomed.
The Horsa was constructed almost entirely of moulded plywood and was bolted together in sections.
The British had solved the problem of fast unloading by fixing a plastic charge on the rear section.
Upon landing, the rear end was simply blown off and easy egress was attained. The live charge back
there while the glider was in flight was certainly not a comforting thought for the troops inside.
Because the Horsa gliders were huge and could carry more than twice the number of troops than the
CG-4A, some theorised that the military was considering switching to the Horsa for all glider
operations. It was very important for Airborne troops to maintain unit integrity in the airhead and to
bring in with them as much equipment as possible.
Major George R Schnurr of 194SR had been designated as loadmaster for the exercise, and he
remembers that glider number 12 was loaded with some men from each of the participating units.
Captain Roy Strang, company commander of 194C,
was supposed to fly on glider number 12, but upon
request at the last moment gave up his place to Major
James F Klock, the regimental surgeon. That favour
was to save Strang's life and cost Klock his.
Walt Wrzeszczynski, a medic with 194C who was
waiting on the flight line for the next available Horsa,
witnessed the accident as it took place in the sky.
"Everything looked fine, Q," he said. "The glider was
flying along smoothly when all of a sudden the tail
section just came off. There was no explosion; it just
fell off."
Memorial Service for the Glider crash victims
at New Greenham Park
Horsa Glider
Shaking his head sadly, he added: "The glider (what was left
of it) swayed and flopped around at the end of the tow line
and sank lower and lower. It seemed to be pulling the tow
plane down. Suddenly it either cut loose or was cut loose and
then it went almost straight down. It was all over in just a few
seconds."
The 33 victims of the crash were buried in the Cambridge American cemetery at Maddingley. Most
of the men have since been returned to the United States for reburial upon requests by their families.
However, six of the 17th Airborne comrades still rest in Cambridge. The cause of the accident is
unknown.
Based on an account by Mel Therrien 513 HQ2 in the book ‘War Stories - The Men of the Airborne’
by Bart Hagerman LTC AUS (Retired)
On the 50th anniversary of the tragedy the daughter of Lt Charles Albury, Ms Margaret (Peggy)
Morrissey, Mrs Clara Gray, sister of PFC Burton Lindenmuth, Mrs Alberta Foster, sister of PFC Dale
Weber; Joe Quade from the 17th Airborne Division Association (memorial co-ordinator) and Walt
Wrzeszczynski, a medic attached to Company C, 194 Glider Infantry Regiment and eyewitness to
the tragedy, attended a dedication service for a memorial to the 33 men who were killed.
Speaking at the ceremony, Walt Wrzeszczynski said: "It was a very emotional day for me as I walked
out to the edge of the former airfield and looked into the distance where the Horsa glider had
crashed. As my thoughts ran back to December 12th, 1944, I said a prayer for all of those who had
perished. But for the grace of God I could have been with them in that glider on that day. After 50
years we can now remember those glider troopers and glider pilots who perished and were forgotten.
It was a week later, December 18th, 1944, that we
were alerted to our movement to the continent to
participate in the Battle of the Bulge. Those 33
servicemen who had trained with us had fought their
battle even before entering combat."
Every December since the 50th anniversary the Trust
has agreed for a memorial service to be held at New
Greenham Park to remember the fallen victims of the
glider crash. The Trust, which owns the business park,
has a policy of naming roads and properties on the
park in memory of those who lost their lives in the
tragedy.
Memorial Plaque showing the Roll of Honour
B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber
The second part of the memorial - The B17
Flying Fortress Crash
Two B-17 Bombers from the 368th and 423rd squadrons of the 306th
Bombardment Group were returning from a tough mission in the
German industrial heartland of Kassel on December 15th 1944 when
a tragic accident occurred, killing all but two of the 18 American
airmen.
Engineer/Top-turret Gunner Staff Sgt Wayne F. Laubert wasn't with his regular crew that day when
the message came through to make for Station 486, as Greenham was then known. S/Sgt Laubert,
aged just 21, was days from returning home to Missouri after completing 32 sorties of the 35
missions required to complete his Tour of Duty with his Eager Beaver squadron. He had replaced
another airman who had appendicitis.
The crack aircrews of the 306th Bombing Group, known as the Reich Wreckers, were some of the
most experienced in the US Airforce but the whole of northern Europe was enveloped in fog and the
target in Kassel was so completely obscured that the bombs had to be dropped by radar. The weather
worsened on return to England and the two bombers, leading the formation back to their US Eighth
Air Force base at RAF Thurleigh (headquarters for the 40th Combat Bombardment Wing of the 1st
Bomb Division) had to be diverted to Greenham.
However, at about 2,100 ft the 368th B-17G of 2nd Lt Charles A. Crooks collided with the 423rd B17G of 2nd Lt Lorn A. Wilke.
Both planes crashed near Greenham Common, killing all but two of the 18 crew. 2nd Lt Wilke
remembers hearing a loud noise, followed by an explosion. His plane blew apart at the cockpit and
he and his co-pilot, 1st Lt John A. Murphy, were able to bail out, deploy their parachutes and escape.
2nd Lt Charles Crook and the entire crew of the 368th plane were killed. Because of the bad
weather, the collision was unobserved by other flyers in the formation.
Both Flying Fortresses ended up roughly two miles apart from each other. 43-37633 (368th plane)
near Bishops Green and 43-38019 (423rd plane) near the Swan Roundabout, Newtown, to the west.
An engine of one of the B-17s remained visible for a number of years afterwards, but it has since
sunk underground. No visible wreckage of either plane
remains.
Per USAAF Accident Report dated January 1945: "Accident
was unavoidable. The formation ran into conditions of extreme
poor visibility, and it is apparent that neither pilot saw the other
aircraft."
One of the crash sites
After being interred at the US Military cemetery at Madingley, Cambridge, S/Sgt. Laubert was flown
back to his home town of Vienna, Missouri, in 1948 to be buried at Visitation Catholic Cemetery.
S/Sgt Laubert was decorated with The Purple Heart, Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze
Medal, Good Conduct Ribbon, European Campaign Ribbon, two Silver Stars with 3 ratings, and
Victory Medal.
His funeral cortege comprised nearly 300 cars and 1,000 mourners. S/Sgt Laubert's family still
proudly displays the citation received from President Franklin D Roosevelt:
"In Grateful Memory of Staff Sergeant Wayne F. Laubert, who died in the Service of His Country,
in the European Area, December 15, 1944. He stands in the unbroken line of Patriots who have dared
to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom Lives. And through it,
he lives - In a way that humbles the undertakings of most men."
Roll of Honour:
43-37633 : Model B-17G-65-BO
306th Bombing Group 368th Squadron 2nd Lt Charles A Crooks
2nd Lt John P Mockus (Co-Pilot)
2nd Lt Elija B Slocum
T/Sgt Harold A Polderman
S/Sgt Wayne F Laubert
Sgt Albert W Seaberg
Sgt Joseph M Mandula
Sgt Richard W Miller
Sgt Lloyd Cain
Great granddaughter
Camille Dahmen
holding a photo of
2nd Lt Charles Crook
2nd Lt John P Mockus
43-38019: Model B-17G-75-BO
306th Bombing Group 423rd Squadron
F/O Edward S Smolenski
1st Lt Richard E Gard
Staff Sgt Wayne F Laubert
T/Sgt William R Farrell
T/Sgt Robert K Reis
S/Sgt Walter E DeHoff
Sgt William J Boyle
S/Sgt Gail W Pashon
2nd Lt Lorn A Wilke - survived. Transitioned to B-29s Pacific Theater.
1st Lt John A Murphy - survived.
Tributes from the families of the airmen
Chris Dahmen (daughter), Carol
Dahmen (granddaughter), Camille
Dahmen (great granddaughter) at
Cambridge military cemetery
Daughter Chris Dahmen and granddaughter and grandson Carol
and Curtis Dahmen, of 2nd Lt Charles Crooks:
"Lives can change in a split second, sometimes many lives.
December 15th, 1944 was one of those moments in history that we
wish we could change. 2nd Lt Charles Crooks was a son, husband,
father, and hero in the eyes of so many. Like many other young men
of that time he was simply defending his country and protecting the
future of his family and the family of others, but did so at the ultimate
price. Three generations of the family he never knew have now made
the visit to Greenham Common and his final resting place to honour
him and pay their respects. Although he and his crew were lost that
tragic day so long ago, his memory and legacy live on today in the
hearts of so many."
Mary Mockus Shipler, Daughter of 2nd Lt John P Mockus:
"We grew up knowing that our Father died in the war in a plane crash, but not until 1994, 50 years
after his death, when we were able to visit his grave in Cambridge, did we realize we had lost our
Father. His death wasn't something that was spoken about, and we had a wonderful step-father and
a wonderful life, unlike so many other war orphans. The emotions we felt when we walked up to
his white cross that day at the cemetery are still so clear in my mind. I had never seen my brother
cry uncontrollably, but he did that day. We didn't understand the grief we were feeling for a man we
had never known. Upon our return from England we were driven to uncover the details of the crash
and his time spent in the War. My time was consumed searching the internet and leaving postings
at every WWII website. Even though sharing our stories always brought tears it also gave us all a
sense of peace that we finally knew our Fathers.
Having this memorial will bring closure, pride and peace to the children that were left without
Fathers that day. I only wish we could find more of the families.
I should add that the appreciation we have received from so many British people is overwhelming
to us. To know that they understand and still remember the sacrifice made by so many Americans is
so comforting to the families left behind."
Niece of S/Sgt Wayne F Laubert Debra Henderson:
What began as my brother Mike's interest in knowing about his Uncle who died in WWII, became
an eight-year research journey about our Uncle Wayne, then became so much more. We did learn
about his time/place in the war - and the tragic collision.
But it also allowed my mom, my Aunt Gerry, and their siblings to finally open up, to share with the
next generations how his death impacted and changed their family's lives so much, and finally to
openly grieve.
But even more - it taught the next two generations how important it is to remember and honor in
some way those who sacrificed all of their tomorrows so that we can live today in freedom.
If this memorial causes even one person to stop and reflect on our Uncle and his crew's memory, and
sacrifice in serving, and in doing so, honor them, then our research journey will be complete.
With humble heartfelt appreciation from over 50 Laubert family members, words can not express
the comfort and peace that will come from knowing this memorial is a reality.
My Aunt Gerry's simple words she once said during our journey: 'I only hope that my brother's
sacrifice will always be remembered.'"
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The third part of the memorial - for all the American servicemen who
were based locally and lost their lives during WWII
Greenham Common and the immediate area played a prominent role in the preparations and launch
of D-Day in 1944. The third part of the memorial is to honour the men who served at Greenham or
were stationed in the surrounding area who gave their lives in the name of freedom.
In October 1943 the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) took control of Greenham airbase as
the preparations intensified for D-Day in 1944.
Meanwhile, paratroopers from Easy Company 506th Parachute Regiment of the 101st Airborne
Division - The Screaming Eagles - were billeted in the nearby villages of Aldbourne and Ramsbury.
Their heroism was famously commemorated in the book and television series Band of Brothers.
Winston Churchill visited nearby Welford Airbase on 23rd March 1944 to inspect the troops and met
Brig. Gen. Don Pratt of the 101st Airborne Division.
By early June 1944, forces were at a high state of readiness. Greenham's role changed dramatically to
accommodate troop transport aircraft Douglas C-47 Dakotas of the 438th TCG and the common was
earmarked as an assembly point for WACO CG-4AAssault Gliders and the British-made Horsa Gliders.
On the night of June 5th 1944, the base was ringed with armed troops. General Eisenhower arrived
to watch the first troops leave by Dakota bound for the shores of Normandy on Operation Overlord
and gave his famous "Eyes of the world are on you" speech. Over 80 Dakotas carrying 1,430 men
from the 502nd Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, left the base at 11 second intervals.
Aircraft also towed Horsa and Hadrian gliders to the front in France and later carried the wounded
back for treatment in Britain.
2,499 American troops were killed in France on June 6th 1944.
(US National D Day Memorial Foundation)
General Eisenhower talks to paratroopers
at Greenham Common a few hours before D Day
Winston Churchill shakes hands with Brig. Gen. Don Pratt,
101st Airborne Division, 23rd March 1944
Greenham Common Trust
After the MoD decommissioned RAF Greenham in 1993, a group of local businessmen, concerned
about the future of the former airbase, created Greenham Common Trust and bought the 900-acre
site in 1997.
The majority was handed to the local authority (now West Berkshire Council) to restore and manage
as common land and was officially reopened in April 2000. The remaining military buildings were
kept by the Trust who built a business park, which now has 150 businesses employing over 1,500
local people. The rental income from the park is reinvested and given out in charitable grants. The
local community has benefitted from over £13m in grant aid from the Trust since 1997.
Glider Crash Memorial
The Trust has held an annual memorial service every year since 1997 on December 12th for the
paratroopers and glider pilots who were killed at Greenham Common .
To honour the brave men who were killed that day roads and buildings on the park have been
renamed. In 2004 relatives of the crash victims travelled from the USA to commemorate the 60th
anniversary.
Two years later the Trust invited United States Air Force Colonel Wuebold, Commanding Officer of
USAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, to unveil a new street sign for Jones Drive, named in remembrance
of Private Evan Bennett Jones.
Private Jones' nephew, Ellis Jones III, said before the ceremony: "The Jones family is extremely
thankful that everyone involved is taking their time and resources to honour those that made the
ultimate sacrifice to the free world. We must never forget any of those that gave their life."
The Naming Ceremony for Weber Road
The Naming Ceremony for Jones Drive
in
partnership
with
Thank you to all those who
contributed to this brochure.
If you wish to donate to the memorial
please contact Keith Williams at the
Newbury branch of the
Royal British Legion
on 01635 37261 or 07785 701721
or email [email protected]
Front and back cover: Troops from the 101st Airborne Division wait to take off from
Greenham for D Day