1943 – Aug 14, USAAF B-24E forced lndg. attempt crash, field 10M S Ellsworth, KS–all 11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-29-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–11  Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Army Bomber Crashes.” 8-16-1943, p. 3.

–11  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 475.

Narrative Information

 Mireles: “At 2115 CWT, a Consolidated B-24E attempting a forced landing crashed ten miles south of Ellsworth, Kansas, killing 11 fliers. Investigators stated,

 

“B-24E #42-7129 was on a bombing mission at 22,000 feet. Evidently the trouble causing the accident developed during the bombing mission. From all appearances, the pilot attempted a forced landing in the vicinity near the bombing range. The…field evidently selected for the landing was under cultivation. The surrounding terrain was rough and rolling. The pilot evidently approached the field in an attitude of a complete stall at a height of 50 feet. The airplane pancaked from this position, hitting slightly nose first with a forward movement of approx­imately only two feet, and apparently burst into flames immediately. The center section of the airplane from the fuselage out to the wheel wells was completely burned. The crewmembers forward of the bomb bay were burned; crewmembers aft of the bomb bay were not burned, but evidently all were killed on the impact of the air­plane. Landing gear was in the up position, flaps ex­tended [20 degrees]. Underlying cause was probable loss of power on three engines due to lack of fuel.”

 

“The B-24 had taken off from Smokey Hill Army Airfield, Salina, Kansas, on a practice bombing mission.”  (Mireles 2006, Vol. 2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 475.)

 

Newspaper

 

Aug 16, Associated Press: “Salina, Kan., Aug. 16. (AP) – A 4-motor army bomber from the Smoky Hill army airfield crashed 10 miles south of Ellsworth Saturday night, killing all 10 members of its crew.  Cause of the crash was not determined.  Victims included: [11 names]

 

Second Lieutenants Melvin L. Ireland, Martin, S D.;

William Brutan, North Arlington, N. J.;

Raymond G. Dwyer, Detroit, and

  1. R. Sorenson, Nevada, Ia,;

Staff Sergeants Chloris Bradberry,

Phil Campbell, Phil Campbell, Ala.;

William C. Scheel, White Hall, Mich.;

Lionel J. Lemay, Lawrence, Mass.;

and Sam L. Marino, Detroit; and

Corporals Vincent P. Morgan, Brighton, Mass., and

Harold A. Reed. Los Angeles.”

 

(Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Army Bomber Crashes.” 8-16-1943, p. 3.)

 

Sources

 

Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Army Bomber Crashes. Ten Members of Crew Killed Near Ellsworth.” 8-16-1943, p. 3. http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=166060763

 

Mireles, Anthony J.  Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 2:  July 1943 – July 1944).  Jefferson, NC:  McFarland and Co., 2006.