1944 – July 23, USAAF B-24J in-flight fire/crash, near Chatham Field, Savannah, GA– 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-30-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 AP. “Ten Army Fliers Killed in Crash.” Wilmington Morning Star, NC. 7-24-1944, p. 1.
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 866.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 0747 EWT, a Consolidated B-24J suffering a fire in flight crashed into a wooded area ten miles northwest of Chatham Field, Savannah, Georgia, killing the crew of ten. The airplane had taken off from Chatham Field on a camera gunnery mission to Athens, Georgia, to Spartanburg, South Carolina, and return to Chatham Field. The mission folder (SOI kit) fell out of the airplane and landed on the active runway as the B-24 took off. An officer picked up the folder and the control tower attempted to contact the airplane so it could return and pick up the folder because the mission could not be completed without it. The control tower was unable to make contact with the airplane. The subject airplane was next seen flying at about 300 feet agl, passing below a B-24 climbing out on a heading of 50 degrees after take-off from Chatham Field. The crew of the climbing B-24 noticed that the subject airplane’s number-four engine was streaming thick black smoke as it turned to the left in an attempt to return to the field. The subject airplane was next seen to enter a steep bank to the right with the starboard wing on fire. The airplane slammed into a wooded area on the starboard wing, cartwheeling into the terrain and exploding into flames….” (Mireles 2006, p. 866.)
Newspaper
July 23: “Savannah, Ga., July 23. – (AP) – Ten Army fliers were killed today in a plane crash 10 miles northwest of Chatham field air base here, the public relations office reported. Sergeant Frank Judge of the public relations office said all aboard the plane died. The plane was based at Chatham field. Other information on the crash was not immediately available at the field.” (Associated Press. “Ten Army Fliers Killed in Crash.” Wilmington Morning Star, NC. 7-24-1944, 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Ten Army Fliers Killed in Crash.” Wilmington Morning Star, NC. 7-24-1944, 1. Accessed 3-30-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilmington-morning-star-jul-24-1944-p-1/
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.