Flying Fortress Memorial

The German army had long since lost control of the air. Economic centres were frequently targeted by massive Allied bombing raids, but Bomber Command's intention was also to exhaust the population's morale. 

On 13 April 1944, the B-17 bomber “The Joker”, resembling a flying fortress, was sent on a mission alongside other aircraft. The target was the industrial city of Schweinfurt in central Germany. Shortly before reaching it, the bombers were caught in the sights of German fighters. The Allied fighters tasked with protecting the formation were slow to arrive. The formation suffered heavy losses, despite giving up the chase once Allied support arrived. 

Of the 24 aircraft of the 384th Group, only 11 reached the objective. As the formation approached, it came under renewed attack. Flak strafed the bombers, killing 26 men and shooting down 9 aircraft. Among the casualties was the Joker's gunner, Sergeant-Technician James Young. 

The remaining aircraft turned back. The Joker that was hit gradually lost altitude, prompting its occupants to jump out of the aircraft as soon as it reached the Belgian border. In the village, residents who had heard a plane flying low saw three parachutes in the sky before the Joker crashed into the hillside, setting the surrounding area on fire. They arrived on the scene and managed to extinguish the fire. All that remained of the burnt-out machine was the body of Sergeant Young. 

A memorial was erected on the hill to mark the 40th anniversary of the event. An educational panel at the site tells the story of the other airmen after the crash. Adopted by the people of Bérismenil, Sergeant Young's name was also added to the war memorial in the centre of the village.