Australian Aircrew Lost Over Europe
15.7 miles away
Greater London
Reigate Hill Fortress Memorial
Reigate Hill, Surrey
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
This memorial sculpture by surrey artist roger day in woodland clearing was dedicated on 70th anniversary of crash. Memorial sculpture by Surrey artist Roger Day in woodland clearing on National Trust land.
Type
Memorial sculpture by Surrey artist Roger Day in woodland clearing
Dedication Date
70th anniversary of crash
Inscription
Presented by the Reigate Society in Memory of the Nine U.s. Airmen Who Died Here in 1945
LocationVerified Location
Reigate Hill, Surrey, Surrey
what3words: ///brain.fish.hoping
What Happened
A USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress was lost over Reigate Hill, Surrey, carrying both regular aircrew and US Air Attaché Colonel Dan Benson. Pilot Robert S Griffin, 24 years old, was in command; co-pilot Herbert S Geller, Royal Runyon, Robert Manbeck, Thomas Hickey, and Philip were also among those aboard. The cause of the crash is not recorded in available sources. All crew members were killed. The site is today marked by a memorial sculpture titled *Wing Tips*, created by Surrey artist Roger Day, honouring those who died here.
Community Connection
Molten metal recovered from the crash site is incorporated into the sculpture.
Remembrance
An annual commemorative service is held on 20th March.
Public Memorial Event on Reigate Hill(20th March)
A service featuring a wreath-laying ceremony at the crash site. US Air Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Dan Benson presented a wreath, along with the Head Boy and Head Girl of The Royal Alexandra and Albert school.
Memorial Service(19th March 1945)
Dedication to the crew of B-17G 43-39035 who lost their lives in a crash on Reigate Hill, Surrey UK.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Squadron
USAAF
Crew (8 members)
Memorial Care
national trust
Organisation
National Trust
Website
Memorial sculpture by Surrey artist Roger Day in woodland clearing on National Trust land.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Reigate Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Further Reading
National TrustRetrieved 2026-03-23
National Trust page about the B-17G crash on Reigate Hill on 19 March 1945, killing nine USAAF airmen from the 384th Bombardment Group. The crew were returning from bombing an oil refinery at Plauen, Germany, when their battle-damaged aircraft entered cloud and struck trees.
What you'll find: Explore the poignant Memorial of Reigate Hill Fortress honoring fallen USAAF airmen.
Crash date: 19 March 1945384th Bombardment Group, 547th Bomb SquadronReturning from Plauen oil refinery raidAircraft serial 43-39035Nine crew killed
Surrey Hills ArtsRetrieved 2026-03-23
Details of the 'Wing Tips' memorial sculpture by Surrey artist Roger Day. The two oak pieces are spaced exactly 32 metres (105 feet) apart, matching the B-17 wingspan. Molten metal recovered from the crash site is embedded within the sculpture.
What you'll find: The 'Wing Tips' memorial sculpture by Surrey artist Roger Day at Reigate Hill Fortress.
Sculpture called 'Wing Tips'Made from ancient Surrey oakPieces spaced at exact B-17 wingspan (32m/105ft)Contains molten metal from crash site
Surrey Hills National LandscapeRetrieved 2026-03-23
Coverage of the 80th anniversary commemoration in 2025, attended by the US Air Attache and civic leaders. The event marked continued Anglo-American remembrance of the nine crew members.
What you'll find: Attend 80th Anniversary Commemoration: Discover Remembrance Event for Fallen Crew Members at Reigate Hill Fortress Memorial.
80th anniversary ceremony held 2025US Air Attache attendedOngoing Anglo-American commemoration
Imperial War MuseumsRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM War Memorials Register entry for the 384th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress 43-39035 memorial on Reigate Hill. National-level record of the memorial.
What you'll find: Explore the detailed history and significance of the Reigate Hill Fortress Memorial via the IWM War Memorials Register entry.
IWM memorial reference 73208
US War MemorialsRetrieved 2026-03-23
US War Memorials registry listing crew names: pilot Robert S. Griffin, co-pilot Herbert S. Geller, navigator Royal A. Runyon, and six enlisted men including Robert Manbeck, Donald W. Jeffrey, Philip J. Phillips Jr, Robert F. Marshall, William R. Irons, and Thomas J. Hickey.
What you'll find: Crew names of US War Memorials' Memorial: Griffin, Geller, Runyon, Manbeck, Jeffrey, and others at Reigate Hill Fortress.
Pilot: Robert Stanley GriffinCo-pilot: Herbert Seymour GellerNavigator: Royal A. RunyonBase: Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire
Wings Aviation MuseumRetrieved 2026-03-23
Wings Aviation Museum page dedicated to B-17G 43-39035 and its crew, providing detailed biographical information and crash context within the museum's aircrew memorials collection.
What you'll find: Explore B-17G 43-39035's comprehensive biography and tragic crash details at Wings Aviation Museum's dedicated memorial page.
Part of Wings Aviation Museum aircrew memorials collection
Nearby Memorials
Sources
National Trust (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Surrey Hills Arts (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Surrey Hills National Landscape (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Imperial War Museums (retrieved 2026-03-23)
US War Memorials (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Wings Aviation Museum (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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