42-97862 - The Story of a B-17 Flying Fortress crash and the loss of her crew on Belfast's Cave Hill during the Second World War

On 1 June 1944, in Northern Ireland, there was a huge increase in aerial and maritime activity around the major towns cities and ports, in preparation for the forthcoming allied invasion of Europe. New aircraft direct from the United States had been arriving daily in large numbers. One such aircraft that was due to arrive in Northern Ireland on 1 June, was a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, Army Serial Number 42-97862. On the morning of 1 June 1944, there was dense low cloud which enveloped the hills surrounding the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The crew, after their long transatlantic flight, had decided to divert to USAAF Station 235, Nutts Corner airfield, which was situated some 10 miles from the city. The aircraft was informed to hold, In doing so, the young crew became disorientated and lost their bearings, with tragic consequences for all on-board. A story 75 years in the making, join the authors Alfred Montgomery and William Lindsay, in their search of the truth.