1943 — Sep 22, USAAF B-24D drops under ceiling into rising terrain near Covert, KS — 11
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-26-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 12 AP. “Army Bomber Crashes. Twelve Lives Lost…” Daily Journal-World, Lawrence, KS. 9-24-1943, 7.
–11-12 AP. “Dozen Feared Killed in Crash of Bomber.” Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. 9-24-1943, p. 11.
— 11 Historical Marker Database. B-24 Bomber Crash Memorial. 5-2-2017 revision.
— 11 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, 521.
Narrative Information
Historical Marker Database. B-24 Bomber Crash Memorial. 5-2-2017 revision:
“Inscription. On 22 September 1943 a B-24D “Liberator” bomber crashed into the hillside approximately four hundred yards west of this site amid inclement weather. That night eleven Army Air Force men lost their lives while in the service of their country. Let this memorial stand in testament to their bravery and sacrifice that shall never be forgotten.
[Named fatalities from the memorial:]
Flight Officer/Lieutenant Donald L. Kidder
Flight Officer/Lieutenant J. Singleton Waldrop
First Lieutenant Larue B. Lee
Second Lieutenant Joseph H. Beves
Second Lieutenant Cleatus B. Christopher
Second Lieutenant Frank C. Fischer
Second Lieutenant Arthur H. Lamker
Sergeant Marlin G. Chamberlin
Sergeant Howard R. Eicher
Sergeant Bobby S. Sanford
Sergeant Chester J. Urbanowicz.”
“….Regarding B-24 Bomber Crash Memorial. On September 22, 1943 at 10:30 PM, amid severe rain and electrical storms, U.S. Army Air Corps B-24D Liberator #42-40354 with 11 personnel onboard became lost during a flight from Blythe, California, to Topeka, Kansas. Flying north at a very low altitude up the narrow and twisting Wolf Creek valley in Covert Township, southern Osborne County, Kansas, the pilot never saw the dark hillside until it was too late….”
Mireles: “At 2300 CWT, a Consolidated B-24D flying in poor weather collided with rising terrain nine miles NNE of Waldo, Kansas, killing the crew of eleven.
“The airplane had taken off from Blythe, California, on a ferry flight to Topeka, Kansas. The airplane had encountered thunderstorms and heavy showers and apparently was trying to maintain visual contact by flying under the ceiling, which was estimated to be about 2,000 feet (about 1,000 feet above ground level). The airplane was flying at a 90-degree angle to the course that it was to be flying and it was speculated that the pilots had elected to go around some bad weather or were lost. The pilots, apparently seeing that a collision with a hill was imminent, put the B-24 in a steep bank to the right to avoid the collision. The starboard wing struck the terrain and the airplane cartwheeled into the hill at an elevation of about 2,000 feet where it exploded violently into flames, killing all on board instantly.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 2, p. 521.)
Newspaper
Sep 23, AP: “Covert, Kas., Sept. 23. (AP) – A low-flying Army bomber burst into flames, crashed and exploded on a farm near here last night, killing all aboard. O. H. Dienes, undertaker of Russell, Kas., who took charge of the bodies, said there were at least 11 men, and perhaps 12. He said Army officials reported the plane was from a California base.” (Associated Press. “Dozen Feared Killed in Crash of Bomber.” Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. 9-24-1943, p. 11.)
Sep 24, AP: “Covert, Kan., Sept. 24. (AP) – A big army bomber which crashed and burned on the J. A. Slothower farm near here Wednesday carried 12 men to their deaths. Slothower said ambulances carried 11 bodies away during the day and that later he found a 12th in a cane field 400 yards from the wreckage. Officials from Walk4r Field, near Hays, took charge of operations and said the plane apparently was from a California base.
“Mrs. Slothower said the plane ‘sounded awful – not like they usually do – when it went over out house very low. ‘Then a few seconds later we heard the terrible explosion.’ Mrs. Dennis McNeal said she saw the plane blaze like a rocket in the air and then explode.” (Associated Press. “Army Bomber Crashes. Twelve Lives Lost; Explosion Precedes the Crash.” Daily Journal-World, Lawrence, KS. 9-24-1943, p. 7.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Army Bomber Crashes. Twelve Lives Lost; Explosion Precedes the Crash.” Daily Journal-World, Lawrence, KS. 9-24-1943, p. 7. Accessed 4-26-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lawrence-daily-journal-world-sep-24-1943-p-7/
Associated Press. “Dozen Feared Killed in Crash of Bomber.” Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. 9-24-1943, p. 11. Accessed 4-26-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/lubbock-morning-avalanche-sep-24-1943-p-11/
Historical Marker Database. B-24 Bomber Crash Memorial. 5-2-2017 revision. Accessed 4-26-2024 at: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=103036
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.