Plane crash witness hopes for tribute
A PENSIONER who witnessed a US bomber crash during the Second World War has sparked calls for a fly-past to mark the 75th anniversary of the crew’s deaths.
Since then Tony Foulds, 82, has devoted his spare time to maintaining a memorial to the 10 airmen on the B17 Flying Fortress, nicknamed Mi Amigo
He was eight when he saw the plane plummet and burst into flames on February 22, 1944. He said he cares for the memorial in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, as he feels the airmen are “like family”.
BBC presenter Dan Walker yesterday led the charge for an RAF fly-past.
After meeting Mr Foulds as he planted flowers at the site, he said: “What a man. He doesn’t want a medal. All he wants is a fly-past on the 75th anniversary. He couldn’t even get his phone out of his pocket because of the shakes but stills sweeps, cleans and tends the memo- Airmen who lost their lives in 1944 crash rial. Let’s mark his 75 years of service with something special.”
The B17 was ambushed by German fighters on its way to drop a 4,000lb bomb on a Luftwaffe air station in Aalborg, Denmark, and was trying to DAN WALKER LEADS CALLS FOR A 75TH ANNIVERSARY FLY-PAST return to base in Northampton. Mr Foulds has said he still feels guilty over the airmen’s deaths because the stricken plane might have landed safely if he and his friends were not in the park.
He said: “The airmen were waving at us, but being young boys we just thought they were waving being friendly. But it was them saying ‘get out of the way’.
“The next thing, it went over the trees and there was a huge explosion.
“Had we not been there they could have landed and would have probably survived. I have a tremor in my hand and the doctor said it’s because of the stress.
“I pray for those brave men every morning and night.”
He couldn’t get his phone out because of the shakes but he still tends to the memorial