B-17 Bomber Crash Memorial Niederwaldorf

The collection of dented aircraft parts is particularly interesting.

Memorial site of the B17 bomber crash

"In the night of November 25, 1944, a US bomber crashed near the Sagbauer farm in Drautendorf. Four of the eight-strong crew died in an accident, four survived. The four bodies were buried at the St. Martin cemetery, exhumed in 1947 and taken to the USA," said Alois Höretseder, Chairman of the Beautification Association. The plane that crashed was part of a fleet of 35 US bombers that flew to Linz from the southern Italian base in Foggia for an air raid. "The target of the attack was the benzene chemical works in today's Voest area. The US bomber was shot down by German fighter planes." Contemporary witnesses remember the burning aircraft parts in the night sky and many onlookers in the weeks that followed. "Metal parts at the two crash sites are now interesting finds that can be seen in a showcase. Some ditches and aisles left by aircraft parts and the engines in the area are still recognizable, e.g. near the Walhofmühle," says Höretseder. The memorial site between Sagbauer and Walhofmühle is on the "Granitpilgern" hiking trail and Marterlweg.
Source: meinbezirk.at/rohrbach/c-lokales/tafeln-erinnern-an- Flugzeugabstuerze_a4270773