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

— 12 CA State Mil. Dept. California State Mil. Museum. “Historic CA Posts. MCAS Miramar.”

— 12 Titusville Herald, PA. “Planes Collide, 12 Fliers Killed.” 5-31-1944, p. 1.

Narrative Information

California State Military Department: “On January 20, 1944, Camp Kearny lost its first PB4Y when an aircraft of VB-101 crashed after takeoff killing its 13-man crew. On May 25, 1944, the Transition Liberator Unit’s name changed to Headquarters Squadron 2 Fleet Air Wing 14 (HEDRON 2 FAW 14). In the fall of 1944, the designation of PB4Y squadrons changed from VB to VPB. In less than two weeks in mid-1944, the station reeled from the loss of three PB4Ys and their crews. On May 27, seven crewmen were killed when a PB4Y crashed on approach. Three days later, a PB4Y of VB-102 had a midair collision with an F4F claiming 12 lives.” (CA State Military Dept. The California State Military Museum. “Historic California Posts. Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar.”)

Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association: “30 May 1944: Lt. jg Luke Sauder and crew were lost over Palomar Mountain while on a photo gunnery practice flight. In a five plane formation, a navy F4F fighter from VF-36 based at NAAS Los Alamitos was making simulated attack runs on the formation. The Fighter pilot dove through the formation, sheering about 12 feet off Sauder’s PB4Y-1. Both aircraft crashed on Palomar Mountain. There were no survivors.” (Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association. “Bombing Squadron VPB-102 Training and Combat.” 1998.)

Newspaper

May 30: “San Diego, Calif., May 30. – (AP) — Twelve naval fliers were killed late today when a Wildcat fighter and a Navy Liberator bomber collided over Palomar mountain, 65 miles north of here, the llth Naval District announced tonight. Four officers and eight enlisted men were aboard the planes. The accident occurred three miles south of the famed Palomar Observatory. The planes fell 200 yards apart and a resulting brush fire burned 12 acres. Eleven men were Aboard the bomber and one in the fighter.” (Titusville Herald, PA. “Planes Collide, 12 Fliers Killed.” 5-31-1944, p. 1.)

Sources

California State Military Department. The California State Military Museum. “Historic California Posts. Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar.” Accessed 11-29-2011 at: http://www.militarymuseum.org/MCASMiramar.html

Titusville Herald, PA. “Planes Collide, 12 Fliers Killed [Palomar Mt. CA].” 5-31-1944, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=105937796

1944 — May 30, USN PB4Y and USN F4F collide over Palomar Mt., San Diego Co., CA– 12