Memorial

More information

2nd Lt Andrew B. Shanks was employed by the Buffalo Arms Co.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Buffalo, New York on 16 November 1942. He earned his wings in April 1944 and was sent overseas in December 1944.

Lucky Lady was shot down by AAA and crashed near Midwoud, Holland. Flak over the target damaged the number 2 engine and fragments from the flak cut the hydraulic lines. Fluid was leaking and the B-17 fell out of the formation, losing altitude. Lt Belton headed for home, but a fire broke out in the cockpit and he ordered the crew to bail out. Before they could do so, there was a large explosion which probably blew off a part of the cockpit. The plane plummeted out of control and crashed in the meadows north of the village of Midwoud, about 45 km north of Amsterdam. Two parachutes were reported seen from observers on the ground. One parachute got tangled on the tail section. Eight crew members were killed and were initially buried at the cemetery of Midwoud on 24 January. They were disinterred and reburied at Margraten on 21 January 1946.

The pilot 2nd Lt Cecil Belton survived and escaped to the liberated part of Belgium.

In Midwoud, Noord-Holland, a monument is founded for the crew of the Lucky Lady, consisting of a propeller of a B-17.

The killed crew members were initially buried at the community cemetery of Midwoud on 24 January 1945.