1944 — Mar 5, USAAF B-24E engine fire/explosion/crash into sea off Jacksonville, FL — 12
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-12-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
(The AP names 12 men aboard the downed plane in the Decatur Daily 3-6-1944 article.]
–12 AP. “12 Believed Lost at Sea as Bomber Crashes.” Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. 3-6-1944, 2
–12 AP. “Dozen Fliers Feared Lost.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 3-6-1944, p. 1.
–12 AP. “Fear 12 Lost In Plane Crash at Sea.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA. 3-6-1944, p. 1.
–12 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 712.
–10 Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-24340 to 41-30847). 9-12-2011 rev.
–10 Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of…B-24E…Near Saint Augustine: 10 Killed.”
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Douglas-Tulsa B-24E-25-DT Liberator….41-28530 (302nd BG, 356th BS) crashed Mar 5, 1944 30 mi SE of Jacksonville, FL during gunnery training mission. Plane experienced a fire in #2 engine, resulting in midair explosion. All 10 onboard killed.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-24340 to 41-30847). 9-12-2011 revision.)
Mireles: “At 1015 EWT, a Consolidated B-24E exploded in flight and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 60 miles southeast of Jacksonville, Florida, killing 12 fliers. B-24E #41-28530 was part of a flight that took off at 0837 EWT from Chatham Field, Savannah, Georgia, on a high-altitude formation and gunnery mission. Investigators stated,
‘Formation proceeded on mission and at approximately 1000 EWT ship #530 radioed the lead ship that he was falling out of the formation due to engine trouble. Capt. George E. Johnson, the pilot of the lead ship, attempted to contact ship #530 to determine the trouble, however he could not make contact and then glanced around to see this ship losing altitude and with number-two engine on fire. Capt. Johnson again attempted to call ship #530 but to no avail. Approximately one minute from the time Capt. Johnson and noticed the engine on fire, there was an explosion and the ship turned on its IFF [(Identification Friend or Foe)] equipment and sent a voice `Mayday’ on 6210 KC. At time of the explosion there were two parachutes seen dropping to sea, however, the remainder of the ships of the formation dropped to within 100 feet of the water but were unable to locate any bodies. The only thing to be seen floating was a life raft with no one [on board] and part of a wing. The ships of the formation continued circling the scene of the accident until low on gasoline but prior to departure two [U.S. Navy Consolidated] PBYs arrived on the scene. Three [U.S. Navy Curtiss] SCs and five PBYs continued the search of area for approximately 48 hours. One body…[was found] by one of the boats and was carried into Jacksonville and another…was picked up and carried to Daytona Beach [Florida].’ ” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 2, July 1943-July 1944, pp. 712-713.)
Newspapers
March 6, AP: “Savannah, Ga., March 6. (AP) – Twelve men from the Army Air Forces Chatham Field were believed lost in the Atlantic ocean somewhere southeast of Jacksonville, today, after an apparent crash of a heavy bomber. Chatham field public relations said the bomber carried ten officers and enlisted men. Others aboard were instructors…[blurry word] the training flight. The bomber was in a formation with three others from the air base.
“Officers said the formation left the local base about 3:40 a.m. yesterday and that radio reports of the plane’s distress were received at about 10 a.m., when it dropped out of formation.
“Dayton Beach, Fla., residents reported that a large airplane, possibly an army bomber, exploded 30 miles off St. Augustine yesterday. The body of one man was brought ashore at Daytona Beach.
“Those aboard were listed and included:
Lt. John T. Williams, 1024 Darrow, Evansville, Ill.;
Tech. Sergt. Clarence L. McCormack, Rock Island.
(AP. “12 Believed Lost at Sea as Bomber Crashes.” Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. 3-6-1944, p. 2)
March 6, AP: “….Those aboard were listed as including Pvt. Wilfred R. Wrench, Nora Springs, Iowa.” (AP. “Fear 12 Lost In Plane Crash at Sea.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA. 3-6-1944, p. 1.)
March 6, AP: “….Those aboard were listed as: [we break paragraph into 12 separate lines]
Lt. Harold J. Knobloch, East Orange, N.J.;
Lt. Harley H. Holman, Leakesville, N.C.;
Lt. Donald W. Maupai, 18, Sterling place, Brooklyn, N.Y.;
Lt. John T. Williams, 1024 Darrow Ave., Evanston, Ill.;
Flight Officer Jeremiah T. Sheehan, 21 Olcott Ave., Buffalo, N.Y.;
Technical Sergeant Clarence L. McCormick, Rock Island, Ill.;
Sergeant William R. Cowart, 144 S.E. Fourteenth Terrace, Miami, Fla.;
Pfc. Leonard F. Maxwell, 1201 Cypress St., Orange, Texas;
Pfc. Wm. J. Biesinger Jr., 3204 Monroe St., Wilmington, Del.;
Pfc. Roman H. Jieper, R.R. No. 2, Dubois, Ind.;
Pfc. Roy F. Barteau, 305 Costello St., Florissant, Mo.;
Pvt. Wilfred R. Wrench, Nora Springs, Ia.
(Associated Press. “Dozen Fliers Feared Lost.” The Decatur Daily, AL. 3-6-1944, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “12 Believed Lost at Sea as Bomber Crashes.” Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. 3-6-1944, p. 2. Accessed 4-12-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-evening-telegraph-mar-06-1944-p-2/
Associated Press. “Fear 12 Lost In Plane Crash at Sea.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA. 3-6-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-12-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-daily-courier-mar-06-1944-p-1/
Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-24340 to 41-30847). Sep 12, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-7-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_4.html
Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. “Crash of a Consolidated B-24E-25-DT Liberator Near Saint Augustine: 10 Killed.” Accessed 4-12-2024 at:
https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-consolidated-b-24e-25-dt-liberator-near-saint-augustine-10-killed
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.