1943 — Dec 19, two USAAF B-24s crash: one ~Sausalito, CA (9); one near Burley, ID (8)–17

lornajarrettblanchard December 19, 1943

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-20-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–17 Baugher on both planes.

–9 USAAF B-24D crash on ridge in bad weather above Richardson Bay ~Sausalito, CA

–8 USAAF B-24E goes out of control and crashes 30 miles north of Burley, ID

USAAF B-24D crash on ridge above Richardson Bay near Sausalito, CA

— 9 Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-6722 to 41-13296). 10-29-2011 rev.

— 9 Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “9 Officers Killed in Bomber Crash.” 12-20-1943, p. 1.

Baugher: “Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator….11866 (90th BG, 319th BS, ‘The Nipper’) lost Dec 19, 1943. The plane and crew had been assigned to the SW Pacific as part of the 5th AF 90th BG 319th BS, but were returning to the US for reassignment. The plane was on the Hawaii to Hamilton Field leg of the flight home when pilot misjudged the location of Hamilton [CA] during bad weather and was turning to climb out of Richardson Bay [SF area], approximately 12 miles south of Hamilton, and struck the ridge. The crew of 7 and the 2 passengers were killed in the crash.” (Baugher. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-6722 to 41-13296). 10-29-2011 rev.)

Newspaper

Dec 20: “Hamilton Field, Cal., Dec. 20. –Army officers announced today that nine airmen returning from the Pacific war zone on Christmas leave were killed when their four-engined bomber crashed within a few miles of its destination. Officers said the bodies of the victims were recovered from the charred wreckage of the plane, which smashed into a hillside near Sausalito, Cal., in a heavy fog yesterday.” (Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “9 Officers Killed in Bomber Crash.” 12-20-1943)

USAAF B-24E, out of Pocatello AB, crash in bad weather 30 miles north of Burley ID

— 8 Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 rev.

— 8 Billings Gazette, MT. “8 Die in Crash.” 12-21-1943, p. 8.

— 8 Panama City News-Herald, FL. “Jax Flier Killed.” 12-21-1943, p. 8.

— 8 San Antonio Express, TX. “Idaho Bomber Crash Kills Eight Flyers.” 12-21-1943, p. 12.

Baugher: “Ford B-24E-10-FO Liberator…7074 (464th BG, 776th BS) crashed Dec 19, 1943. 8 killed. Probable cause was icing.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 revision.)

Newspapers

Dec 20, Associated Press: “By Associated Press. Pocatello, Idaho, Dec. 20. A four-engined army bomber crash Sunday cost the lives of four officers and four enlisted men, the Pocatello Airbase public relations office reported Monday.

“Sgt. Fred. J. Schilling Jr., Trenton, N. J., escaped serious injury. Six died in the wreckage and two succumbed in a Twin Falls hospital.

“The plane went out of control during a routine flight and fell approximately 120 miles north-west of the base.” (San Antonio Express, TX. “Idaho Bomber Crash Kills Eight Flyers.” 12-21-1943, 12.)

Dec 20, United Press: “Pocatello, Idaho, Dec. 20. — (UP) — Eight airmen from the Pocatello airbase were killed Sunday when their four-engined heavy bomber crashed and burned at a top of a lava rock summit 30 miles north of Burley [Idaho]. Only one member of the crew survived after parachuting to safety.” (Billings Gazette, MT. “8 Die in Crash.” 12-21-1943, p. 8.)

Dec 21, Associated Press: “Pocatello, Idaho, Dec. 21 – (AP) – Sgt. Charles H. McLey of Jacksonville, Fla., was one of eight men killed in the crash of a four-engined Army bomber Sunday, the Pocatello Air Base has reported.” (Panama City News-Herald, FL. “Jax Flier Killed.” 12-21-1943, p. 8.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-6722 to 41-13296). Oct 29, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-6-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_2.html

Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). Oct 28 2011 revision. Accessed 12-9-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1.html

Billings Gazette, MT. “8 Die in Crash [USAAF Plane, 30 miles north of Burley, ID].” 12-21-1943, p. 8. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=66126221

Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “9 Officers Killed in Bomber Crash [near Hamilton Field, CA].” 12-20-1943, p. 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=102188319

Panama City News-Herald, FL. “Jax Flier Killed.” 12-21-1943, p. 8. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=34823376

San Antonio Express, TX. “Idaho Bomber Crash Kills Eight Flyers.” 12-21-1943, p. 12. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=71094919