Mi Amigo 80th Anniversary Memorial Restoration

At the height of the Second World War in February 1944, a heavily damaged American B-17 Flying Fortress named ‘Mi Amigo’ was attempting to return to its base in England. After suffering catastrophic engine failures, the aircraft descended below cloud and saw open space but this was a park in Sheffield, Endcliffe Park, and it was full of children playing.

The brave airmen took the selfless decision to turn their stricken craft into nearby trees, thereby saving the children but at the cost of their own lives.

In 1969 the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Sheffield Branch donated the funds for the simple memorial and it was dedicated in the park in 1969; it is located on a prominent pathway close to the crash site. It is nevertheless a fitting tribute to the sad loss of these young men and the simple design reflects the solemnity of the event. Sheffield City Council through their park management team maintain the memorial.

The 75th Memorial event was covered nationally and included a joint USAF/RAF fly past watched by a huge crowd in the park and broadcast nationally.

THE RESTORATION PLAN

We are aiming to raise a minimum of £15,000 but if we raise more than that amount we would use the additional funds to develop further/extensive improvements of the site and fund ongoing maintenance of the memorial.

To improve disabled access to the memorial and viewing opportunity from the pathway landscaping experts have proposed the:

• complete replacement of the current timber posts and fences with lightweight painted steel posts and handrails;

• reordering of the uneven/sloping steps and provision of new and additional handrails

• Provision of additional display board and box for family and friend’s memorabilia

RAFA is keen to complete the works by the end of the year for the annual service on 25th February 2024.