P-47c 41-6231 25th june 1944 551st FTS 495th FG, Atcham St Ediths church , Church Pulverbatch Shropshire

Next to St. Ediths Church in Church Pulverbatch is a memorial to Lt Arthur. D. Brody USAAF who lost his life in a field that the memorial overlooks.

At 6.30 pm on the 25th of June 1944, 4 P-47C Thunderbolts all from 551st FTS 495th FG, Atcham were on a practice flight over Shropshire. Climbing the fighters flew in formation until they were bounced by another flight, breaking formation the planes chased each other losing height until the fur ball broke up and the fighters tried to find their squadron mates.

One P-47 41-6231 coded DQ-B was seen by St Ediths congregation to be performing some aerobatics over the village, the fighter then passed low over the church and dipped towards the fields below but unseen by the pilot until the last second, a large tree was in his path. The fighter clipped the tree then cartwheeled and exploded scattering remains over a large area.

Locals had told a very helpful lady I met at the church, that young pilots from Atcham including Lt Brody, had been at a party the night before at Wrentnall House nearby, it was thought Lt Brody was putting on a bit of a show for his hosts.

 Lt Brody is Buried in Cambridge Madingley cemetery