rich_jacko (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rich_jacko) wrote2019-02-22 08:25 pm
rich_jacko) wrote2019-02-22 08:25 pm
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Mi Amigo flypast
75 years ago today, the 10-man crew of the US bomber, Mi Amigo, lost their lives as they saved their doomed plane from crashing onto Sheffield civilians. I went along to the flypast commemorating the event in Endcliffe Park this morning.
There was a huge crowd and it was great to see so many people. The BBC were there in force - I saw Steph McGovern and Charlie Stayt broadcasting from the Breakfast sofa and interviewing Tony Foulds, the man who has spent his life looking after the memorial after witnessing the crash as a young boy. Some people have decried the media circus, but I think it's wonderful that it's raised both local and national awareness of what was previously a little-known piece of history and to appreciate what the Mi Amigo crew did that day.
The names of the airmen were read out in a solemn ceremony as their photos appeared on the big screen: Pilot Lt John Kriegshauser (pilot), 2nd Lt Lyle Curtis (co-pilot), 2nd Lt John Humphrey (navigator), Melchor Hernandez (bombardier), Harry Estabrooks (engineer and gunner), Charles Tuttle (gunner), Robert Mayfield (radio operator), Vito Ambrosio (gunner), Malcolm Williams (gunner) and Maurice Robbins (gunner).
The flypast itself began at 8:45am and consisted of 11 planes: a Dakota, Typhoon, CV-22 Osprey, MC-130J Commando II, KC-135 Stratotanker and four F-15E Strike Eagles - one of which spiralled above the rest in a spectacular finish. They were flying out of the sun, which made it difficult to get good photos, but the skies were clear and it was an impressive show.
I am very glad I went.
There was a huge crowd and it was great to see so many people. The BBC were there in force - I saw Steph McGovern and Charlie Stayt broadcasting from the Breakfast sofa and interviewing Tony Foulds, the man who has spent his life looking after the memorial after witnessing the crash as a young boy. Some people have decried the media circus, but I think it's wonderful that it's raised both local and national awareness of what was previously a little-known piece of history and to appreciate what the Mi Amigo crew did that day.
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The names of the airmen were read out in a solemn ceremony as their photos appeared on the big screen: Pilot Lt John Kriegshauser (pilot), 2nd Lt Lyle Curtis (co-pilot), 2nd Lt John Humphrey (navigator), Melchor Hernandez (bombardier), Harry Estabrooks (engineer and gunner), Charles Tuttle (gunner), Robert Mayfield (radio operator), Vito Ambrosio (gunner), Malcolm Williams (gunner) and Maurice Robbins (gunner).
The flypast itself began at 8:45am and consisted of 11 planes: a Dakota, Typhoon, CV-22 Osprey, MC-130J Commando II, KC-135 Stratotanker and four F-15E Strike Eagles - one of which spiralled above the rest in a spectacular finish. They were flying out of the sun, which made it difficult to get good photos, but the skies were clear and it was an impressive show.
I am very glad I went.
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