"Heavenly Body II"

19th June 1944

By Richard Andrews

My name is Richard Andrews and I was flying the tail gun position on 19 June 1944 when the "Heavenly Body II" was run into by our left wing plane. Six of us survived, three were killed. As of today there are only two of us left. I'm very familiar with the mud on Canvey Point where I landed. I was the only one of the crew to land on shore. Two Englishman have collected the stories of the survivors from the "Heavenly Body II", Alan Jasper and Gregg Burke. Alan Jasper was the gentleman that searched out each of the survivors and contacted each and exchanged addresses so we could get together. We did get together many times, even though we lived in opposite ends of the country. Every mission is a story in it's self, but our 29th was one of the shortest and the most deadly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canvey Island Essex

Heavenly Body II

Richard Andrews is third from left in the back row. The only one still surviving.

Richard Andrews second from right

Richard Andrews was one of the six surviving members of the crew of the ill-fated B17 bomber that crashed off Canvey Point. He is now the only one still surviving. He has sent me this picture showing him meeting the Royal Family.

 

“I had a very big honor in being chosen to meet the Royal Family when they visited Kimbolton. A special crew was formed to be the ones to talk to the King, Queen and Princes of your country. I'm the second one in from the right, talking to the Queen. What a privilege and unforgettable experience."

 

The crash is commemorated on a plaque situated on the side wall of the war memorial at the Paddocks.

 

More about the crash can be read here