Memorial

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S/Sgt Augusto Pereira worked in a textile factory.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Providence, Rhode Island on 24 October 1942.

Before reaching the target, this B-17 was already hit by a German fighter. The damage caused them to lag behind the formation, making them easy prey for enemy fighters. Despite this, they managed to reach the target and drop their bombs.

On their way back, they were under constant attack. Over Friesland, at a height of 6 kilometers, the pilot, Robert E. Beatty, gave the order to bail out. Milton Spangenberg was sent to the back of the plane to warn crew members. On the way, crossing the narrow catwalk, for some reason, he fell out of the open bomb bay doors. Therefore, the crew in the back of the plane didn't receive the order.

When both pilots had left the plane, it was over Hallum. According to witnesses, only one engine was working, and the plane was leaving a smoke trail. Flying on autopilot, the plane was gliding down towards the sea. Over the sea dyke, it turned to the land again. But it came so low it hit the ground. When it hit the ground, one of the wings broke off. The rest of the plane ploughed into the ground for 200 meters, tearing the plane apart. One of the main wheels flew over the sea dyke near Widow Westra’s house. The tail section stopped near a waterway.

Amongst the wreckage and scattered parts were the bodies of five crew members. Three of them were killed, and two of them were still alive.

S/Sgt Pereira was more or less folded up into his turret during the mission. He had reported that when underway, his feet were almost freezing.

Surviving crew member, Albert Laney, reported later that they were unable to get him out of the turret before the crash. It is possible he already perished before the crash.

The deceased crew members were laid out in the barn of the farm of Douwe Annema. After release by the Germans, the killed crew members were laid out in a coffin and buried by the municipality of Ferwerderadiel. Many people came, but they were not allowed to enter the cemetery. They experienced the funeral from a meadow in the freezing cold.

In total, five crew members were killed, and five survived and were taken prisoner.