It was 80 years ago when people in Norwich watched in horror as an American Liberator named Lady Jane hit the top of a church and then crashed into the old Corporation Depot killing the nine-man crew.

No-one will ever know just how many lives the 20-year-old pilot, Ralph Dooley, saved as he desperately searched to crash-land where there were no houses or shops.

Over the years I have spoken to many of the eye-witnesses who had never forgotten watching the plane and the crew on that sad and tragic day – November 24 1944.

They said that if it had not been for the frantic efforts of Ralph and his crew, their stricken plane could have crashed on densely populated streets causing more death and destruction in a war-torn city where hundreds of people had lost their lives and thousands their homes.

The Lady Jane had been returning to Horsham St Faiths following a training mission on a dismal, foggy day and got into difficulties over the city centre.

Pilot Ralph Dooley, on the right, with members of the crew of the Lady Jane who lost their lives in Norwich 80 years ago.  (Image: Submitted)

These were days of double summer time so it was still light at around 5pm when the plane came in low over Norwich. It was clear something had gone badly wrong.

Those on the ground said it was almost flying sideways over Earlham Road and narrowly missed St John’s Catholic Cathedral before heading over Dereham Road.

People watched as the pilot fought to keep his plane in the air as it skimmed over the rooftops before hitting the top of St Philip’s Church, ripping off part of the tail.

There was little more the crew could do. The Lady Jane rolled and then crashed down at the former Corporation Yard, bursting into flames. There were no survivors.

Among the witnesses was the late international aviation artist Mike Bailey, who grew up in the area, and went on to paint the Lady Jane hitting the church tower.

“I just caught a glimpse of the last seconds of the flight. It was going down, over on its side, and then disappeared, followed by a ball of flame which shot up into the air, on its side, and then disappeared.

Some of the crew in Kansas during the summer of 1944 before leaving for England. (Image: Submitted)

“Us kids ran down the road to the end of Barker Street where a wall and fence bordered on bordered on the Corporation Yard,” said Mike.

The scene when the Lady Jane crashed at the old Corporation Yard in Norwich 80 years ago. All nine crew lost their lives. (Image: Submitted) “We got there before the firemen and I got my pals to pump me up the wall. I got my hands on top and lifted my face over but I could not look for half a second, the heat was so intense.”

Keith Hutson was six at the time of the crash  and having tea with his family at Barker Street when there was a tremendous band. The house shook and they rushed to the air raid shelter.

“I do believe that the pilot and crew saved my life at that time and their parents should be very proud of them,”  he added.

Michael Flood, aged nine in 1944, was one among a group of lads playing in the trees at the junction of Earlham Road and Recreation Road.

“It seemed to be flying just above the houses, one thing I can remember is seeing one of the crew looking out of the side window,” he said.

The painting by the late Mike Bailey of the Lady Jane hitting St Philip’s Church, Norwich, before the crash in 1944. Photo: Mike Bailey Collection. (Image: Mike Bailey Collection.) Brian Chatten was playing football with a tin can in Oxnead Street and said: “An American bomber came over, skimming the rooftops of the council houses, and a short time later there was a loud explosion and smoke from the Heigham Street area,” said Brian.

“We later learned it had crashed on waste lands and all nine members of the crew killed. They paid the ultimate sacrifice but must have missed killing residents of the houses and cottages around Heigham Street,” he added.

Gladys Wodehouse, of Derby Street, said: “We felt so helpless just watching as the crew struggled with the aircraft.

At the time we published letters from readers which said: “My I offer my humble thanks and those of many citizens to the gallant crew of the U.S. bomber which crashed in Norwich on Friday evening.

"These, and all who have given their lives to save others in the same way, we salute and silently remember those who mourn.”

And another one wrote: “I and others would like to pay tribute to the pilot and crew of the American bomber who did their to avoid crashing among us, and to express our deep sympathy to their relatives.

“All the people who saw the plane admired the way the pilot handled the situation and thereby saved many civilian lives.”

Lady Jane is in the middle at the back in what is thought to be the only photograph of the aircraft. (Image: Submitted) Some years ago an excellent book “In Search of Lady Jane was written by Richard Clements and published by Larks Press. It is still available to buy on line.

St Philip’s Church, Heigham, was demolished in the 1970s but there is a memorial remembering the crew at St Barnabas Church on Russell Street.

They were:

2nd Lt Ralph Dooley, aged 20, of Philadelphia. Pilot.

2nd Lt Arthur Akin Jnr, aged 22, of Virginia. Pilot.

2nd Lt Paul E Gorman, aged 23, of New York. Navigator.

S/Sgt John J Jones of Texas, Engineer/top turret.

S/Sgt Paul A Wadsworth of Texas, Radio operator.

S/Sgt Oscar B Nelson, aged 24, of Washington, Waist Gunner.

S/Sgt John A Phillips, aged 23, of New York. Nose Turret.

S/Sgt Don Peter Quirk, of Indiana. Gunner.

S/Sgt Ralph Von Bergen, aged 21, of Colorado. Tail gunner.

We will remember them.