Memorial

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S/Sgt Edward Walker Jr. worked in a foundry.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Tacoma, Washington on 15 August 1942.

Between 18.13 and 18.17 hours, at 21.00 ft. above Calais and heading 60°, the plane got a direct 88mm Flak hit. It had torn out the whole floor and right side of the radio room, leaving a gaping hole of about 12x7 ft. The ball turret gunner watched S/Sgt Walker been blown away from the airplane whithout parachute. Fortunately all four engines were operational and the pilot decided to turn back to England. Brakes and radio were out and the right horizontal stabiliser was badly damaged. Six of the twelve 500lb bombs were still hung up in their twisted racks. Three could be dropped but the remaining three had to be worked loose with screwdrivers and pliers. Over England, no one opted to jump since flak had rendered several parachutes useless. The pilot realised that he had to make a perfect landing or if not that the plane would just break in half upon touchdown, and he did. The plane landed at the nearest RAF air base Raydon (near Ipswitch) and the crew went out unharmed.