Memorial

More information

Statement from 1st Lt Charles C. Clamp, the pilot of another airplane in the same group:
"My position was Postgate Yellow 4. I saw the ship behind to be Lt Fleming's following Blue flight about 600 yards behind and 1,500 to 2,000 feet below. He stayed in this position for approximately 5 minutes, then began moving to the left, leaving Blue flight and passed behind Yellow flight, gradually dropping further back and losing altitude. This took place as Yellow and Blue flights were crossing the Zuider Zee, going in on course. I did not see him again until my flight was crossing the coast on the way out (at about 165 hrs), at which time a P-47 came up behind me and appeared to be trying to position himself off my wing. I noticed the insignia painted on the cowl and thought it was Lt Fleming. A few seconds later, I looked for him again, but he had disappeared. I did not see him leave."

The incident took place on 8 October 1943, but Lt Fleming was declared officially dead on 14 August 1945.

The plane was last seen over the IJsselmeer attempting to catch up with the other planes of his group.

Dutch documents listed a P-47 crashing in the Osdorper Binnenpolder and sinking in the marshy ground, but recent research by John van der Maas reveals it was a German airplane that crashed on that spot on 8 October 1943. The P-47 of Lt Fleming most likely crashed in the IJsselmeer.