Memorial

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B-17 'Ritzy Blitz' received the first of her fatal wounds. At the base since 9 March 1943, this bomber was on its 49th mission. She was flying in the low squadron of the lead group and was piloted by 2nd Pilot Wayne D. Hedglin from the 324th Squadron. Inital attacks on the low squadron set the no. 1 engine on fire and the plane fell from formation. Continued intense German attacks bettered the B-17, control was lost and spinning began. Bailing was nearly impossible and didn't began until about 7000 feet maximum. At least three crewmen were badly injured or killed. Lt Wayne Hedglin was the last of the capable men to leave the plane at about 500 feet and his chute had barely opened when he slammed into the side of a house, but he wasn't badly injured. He noticed that pieces of the plane were flying off when he left. Ritzy Blitz finally crashed at Wennigsen, 10 mlies southwest of Hannover at about 11:30 hours. Germans found the remnants of the plane spread over a half mile wide area. Five crewmen, 2nd Lt Mckewen Jr., Sgt Wolf, Sgt Lascu Jr., Sgt Richardson and tail gunner Sgt Lyttle did not survive. The surviving five crewmen were taken prisoner.