Archaeological remains associated with the loss of this aircraft are not confirmed as present at this location, but may be in the vicinity.

The remains of this aircraft are designated as a Controlled Site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. For further information on this Act and its administration with regard to aircraft, please contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1RZ.

Event and Historical Information:
This B-17 was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 8th Bomber Command, 95th Bomb (H), 119 Squadron and, on 29 December 1943, was being ferried to a new permanent station (from Station 119 via Whitchurch and Rhyl to Woodvale). The aircraft crashed on the saddle between two mountains (Moel Hiraddug, altitude 864ft and Mynydd y Cwm altitude 999ft). The subsequent inquiry suggested that the navigator believed that he had crossed the coastline and had advised his pilot to begin the let down over what he assumed to be the sea (the plane was under orders to fly at 2000ft). An eyewitness who was walking on the Brynglas Road, heard the plane but the fog was so thick that he could not see it. Then he heard a loud report and went across the field to where he could see the crashed plane on fire. He reported the crash to the British Searchlight Crew and then went back and found 2 bodies which had been thrown clear. The crew comprised pilot 1st Lt Alden R Witt (killed); co-pilot 2nd Lt William Gaffney (killed); passenger Captain Louis G Reno (killed); passenger Captain Louis S Green (killed); passenger Captain Arvid S Dahl (killed); passenger 2ndLt Alan S Grant (killed); navigator 2nd Lt Howard J Leddy (killed); engineer 2nd Lt Kingsley F Snitser (killed); passenger S Sgt Linus C Thomas (killed); passenger S Sgt James EW Leithead (killed); passenger S Sgt Eugene Downey (killed); bomb trainer S Sgt Wendell Webulecz (killed) and passenger Corporal Andrew J Mullavey (killed).

Sources include:
US Air Accident Record 44-12-29-503, RCAHMW Digital Collections

WWW resources:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/SPVA/AviationArchaeology.htm

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, January 2015.