Ashford in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Lt. W.H. Johnson
Johnson’s Corner
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 8, 2018
1. Lt. W.H. Johnson Memorial
U.S.A.F.
Lost His Life When
His B17 Crashed
In This Area
13 – 4 – 44
Erected by Johnson’s Corner Memorial Association.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 51° 3.013′ N, 0° 51.32′ E. Marker is in Ashford, England, in Kent. Memorial is at the intersection of Marsh Road and England Route A2070, on the left when traveling south on Marsh Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashford, England TN26 2QW, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ranter’s Oak (approx. 6.6 kilometers away); Violet Rosa Carruthers (approx. 11 kilometers away); Wittersham War Memorial (approx. 11.1 kilometers away); Wittersham Women’s Institute (approx. 11.1 kilometers away); This Building (approx. 12 kilometers away); Mayor Samuel Boorman (approx. 12.1 kilometers away); Ashford Railway Works (approx. 12.1 kilometers away); Ashford’s legacy at the K&ESR today (approx. 12.1 kilometers away).
Regarding Lt. W.H. Johnson.
Lt. William Johnson was the pilot of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, named “Spare Parts”,
this page online
On April 13, 1944 “Spare Parts” was on a mission to attack a target in Augsburg in Bavaria, southern Germany. Soon after crossing the French coast the formation came under heavy flak fire which caused a number of planes to abort and head home, including Johnson’s aircraft, having suffered heavy damage.
Losing altitude all the way, Johnson ordered his crew to abandon their plane once it reached the English coast. Lt. Johnson stayed with the plane. As it was heading towards the village of Hamstreet in Kent, he deliberately crashed the plane into a field so as to save the village. Lt. Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 8, 2018
2. Lt. W.H. Johnson Memorial
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 8, 2018
3. Lt. W.H. Johnson Memorial
A nearby marker describes the events of April 13, 1944
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 8, 2018
4. Lt. W.H. Johnson Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 10, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
