Memorial

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Edgar G. Delp graduated from Avalon High School and worked for the American Bridge Co.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 12 October 1942 and was sent overseas in October 1943.

The mission took place on 1 December 1943. The primary target was the industrial area of Leverkusen but due to malfunction of Patfinder equipment, the industrial area of Solingen was attacked.

The airplane was hit by flak over the target area. According to crew members of other airplane in the formation, this B-17 peeled off just after bombs away. It seemed to be under control. Other witnesses speak about attacks of German fighters just before bombs away and that after this attack this airplane was missing from the formation.

The airplane crashed in Ampsin-Huy, Belgium.

S/Sgt Delp landed with his parachute some 4 km west of the crash site in a hamlet called Antheit. He suffered wounds from machinegun fire in his ribs, leg, left arm, stomach, chest and face. He was left in a cell with two other crew members during the night with no medical attention, except some bandages for his wounds. The next day he was taken to a hospital close to Liège, Belgium. On 3 December the same crew members were put in a truck, together with Sgt Delp, to be transported to Brussels. At that time he had not received any medical attention and only his bandages were new and clean. According to his comrades he was in pain from a chest wound but it didn't seem serious. He was conscious and rational. That was the last time they saw him.

According to another witness statement, they left him in a hospital in Brussels. He was badly injured, especially form a wound in his left side and stomach and, due to no medical attention or any nourishment during the first three days, this wound may have caused poisoning or complications.

His mother received a letter from him, dated 5 December 1943 in which he sais he was in a hospital and expected to be up and around in a few weeks. He then expected to go to a prison camp.

Sgt Delp was the only casualty. Seven crew members were taken prisoner, two men evaded capture.