Representatives of the 424th Air Base Squadron joined city officials and citizens from Fouleng (Silly), Belgium, for the 75th anniversary of the Royal Flush crash, April 12, 2019. On April 13, 1944, while heading back to their base in England after a successful bombing operation over Schweinfurt, Germany, crew members of the "Royal Flush," a B-17 belonging to the 384th Bomb Group, was hit by anti-aircraft defense and crashed in the small Belgian village. A ceremony is held at the crash site every year to honor those heroes. (U.S. Army photos by Christophe Morel)

Honoring the Royal Flush victims in Fouleng, 75 years later

CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- Seventy five years ago, on April 13, 1944, a B-17 flying fortress, called the "Royal Flush," was coming back from a successful raid over the ball bearing industries in Schweinfurt, Germany when it was hit by the German flak based in Chièvres, Belgium. The plane crashed in a nearby field in Fouleng, Belgium, killing six out of the 10 crew members.

Each year, the city of Silly, Belgium, organizes a wreath-laying ceremony at the exact place of the crash in nearby Fouleng to remember and honor those who lost their lives there.

During the ceremony, different speakers talked about the service members who died while fighting for freedom. Among the speakers were the surviving family members of the fallen and the local residents who saved the surviving crew members.

“There are no words to express the gratitude that Jeff, Jami, other family members, and I feel for the Belgian and the Dutch who mourned along with our families, and continue to honor the fallen heroes to this very day,” said Donna Schurman, niece of the pilot 1st Lt. James Robert Lavin.

“We know for certain by your actions, then and now, that our uncles didn’t die in vain, and for that, we thank you,” she added.

Her uncle along with 2nd Lt. Calvin L. Anthes, 2nd Lt. Louis A. Benton, Staff Sgt. G Lloyd G. Brady, Staff Sgt. James W. Malone, and Staff Sgt. Raymond R. Marz were the casualties of the crash and were remembered for their sacrifice at the ceremony.

Speakers also highlighted the courage of the local residents who helped the surviving service members. Three were hidden by the local resistance while the fourth one, Staff Sgt. Charles W. Johnson, got injured and was made prisoner of war by the Germans.

“Thank you to all our liberators, all those men who came from so far to save this land that was not theirs,” said Pierre Bonnet, son of Ghislain Bonnet, one of the witnesses of the crash.

Air Force Lt. Col. Craig D. Lindstrom, commander of the 424th Air Base Squadron, paid his respect by laying a wreath at the monument that lists the crew members of the B-17 Royal Flush.

“Over time, the term ‘duty of memory’ has become an official expression in both English and French. It is actually more than an expression: it is a way of life, a way to pass on lessons of the past to the generations to come,” said Lindstrom.

“Just as important is for Belgians and Americans to stand here united together to honor those who gave their all 75 years ago. We were partners and allies then. We are partners and allies today.”

Story by Christophe Morel, USAG Benelux Public Affairs