7– 15

lornajarrettblanchard August 10, 1943

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-30-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— 15 Ogden Standard Examiner, UT. “15 Fliers are Killed in Two Crashes.” 8-12-1943, p. 8.

— 15 San Mateo Times, CA. “15 Die in 2 Walla Walla Air Crashes.” 8-11-1943, p. 1.

–8 Walla Walla Army Air Base USAAF B-17 bomber crash near Cecil OR

–7 Walla Walla Army Air Base USAAF B-17 bomber crash near Paterson WA

Narrative Information

Aug 11, AP: “Walla Walla, Wash., (AP) – Seven crewmen aboard a four-engined bomber from the Walla Walla army air base were killed in a crash Tuesday near Paterson, Wash., and a second plane crashed near Heppner, Ore. Three men in the Paterson plane parachuted to safety, suffering only miner injuries, the base announced.” (Associated Press. “Seven Are Killed In Bomber Crash.” The Berkshire County Eagle, MA. 8-11-1943, p. 1.)

Aug 11, UP: “Walla Walla, Wash., Aug. 11. – (UP) – The Walla Walla army air field announced today that 15 flyers were killed in two separate crashes of four-motored bombers yesterday, and that three others parachuted to safety.

“All eight occupants of one plane were killed when the bomber crashed and burned near Cecil, Ore., north of Heppner.

“The other plane crashed near Paterson, Wash., on the Columbia river, in Benton county. Seven members of the 10-man crew lost their lives and the others bailed out.” (San Mateo Times, CA. “15 Die in 2 Walla Walla Air Crashes.” 8-11-1943, p. 1.)

Aug 12: “War was brought close to home this week when a large bomber, apparently manned by a crew of eight men, crashed in a summer fallow tract owned by Jack Davies near Cecil. Ahe accident occurred at 3:53 a.m. and the impact exploded the gasoline setting the wreckage afire and starting a grass fire which burned over six or seven acres before brought under control by people from Cecil who rushed to the scene. So intense was the fire that witnesses were unable to approach nearer than 100 yards, thus frustrating any attempt of rescue….

“…presumably a B-17…A news dispatch from Walla Walla [which trained only B-17 crews at that time] indicated that both planes were from the air field at that place.

“….Wreckage was strewn for about one-half mile.” (Heppner Gazette Times, OR. “Bomber Crash Near Cecil Claims Eight Lives Tuesday A.M.” 8-12-1943, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Seven Are Killed In Bomber Crash.” The Berkshire County Eagle, MA. 8-11-1943, p. 1. Accessed 4-30-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/pittsfield-berkshire-county-eagle-aug-11-1943-p-1/

Heppner Gazette Times, OR. “Bomber Crash Near Cecil Claims Eight Lives Tuesday A.M.” 8-12-1943, p. 1. Accessed 4-30-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/heppner-gazette-times-aug-12-1943-p-3/

Ogden Standard Examiner, UT. “15 Fliers are Killed in Two Crashes.” 8-12-1943, p. 8. Accessed 10-8-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=53824184

San Mateo Times, CA. “15 Die in 2 Walla Walla Air Crashes.” 8-11-1943, p. 1. Accessed 10-8-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=37338122