1945 — May 6, Two USAAF B-17 Planes Collide near Esler Field, Alexandria, LA– 18
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/ Last edit 12-6-2023.
–18 Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers 42-001 to 42-10959). June 2, 2023 rev.
–9 Boeing B-17F #42-5355
–9 Boeing B-17G #42-31948
–18 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, 1092.
–18 UP. “Texan Missing After Mid-air Plane Crash.” Taylor Daily Press, TX. 5-8-1945, p. 7.
— 7 dead
–11 missing
–11 Brownsville Herald, TX. “9 Dead, 2 Missing As Planes Collide.” 5-9-1945, p. 5.
–9 dead
–2 missing [one, William Gonzalez, is noted in an obituary as dying on May 6, 1945.]
Narrative Information
Baugher on B-17F 42-5355: “….Boeing B-17F-50-BO Fortress….5355 (MSN 3894)….329th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Alexandria Field, LA. Crashed after a mid-air collision with B-17G 42-31948 on a 54-aircraft practice flight at Louisiana Rapides, ten miles northwest of Alexandria 6May45 (9KIS)…” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers 42-001 to 42-10959). June 2, 2023 revision.
Baugher on B17G 42-31948: “….Boeing B-17G-35-BO Fortress….(MSN 7062)…329th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Alexandria Field, LAC, Alexandria Field, LA…Crashed after a mid-air collision with B-17F 42-5355 on a 54-aircraft practice flight at Louisiana Rapides, ten miles northwest of Alexandria 6May45 (9KIS).”
Mireles: “At 1515 CWT, a Boeing B-17F and a B-17G collided in midair and crashed one mile southwest of Esler Field, Alexandria, Louisiana, killing 18 fliers…. The two subject airplanes were part of a 54-ship formation that was returning to Esler Field following a wing formation practice. The bombers in the wing formation were unable to drop their load of practice bombs because of low ceilings over the range. B-17F #42-5355 was the lead ship of the second element of the low squadron of the low group; B-17G #42-31948 was flying in the number-two position of the first element of the same flight. B-17 #42-5355 was too close to the lead ship of the first element; B-17G #42-31948 was above and to the right of the B-17F. The B-17G began to drift to the left and collided with the B-17F. Both airplanes broke up and burst into flames as they separated. The flaming wrecks plummeted to earth and exploded upon impact.” (Mireles 2006, p. 1092.)
Newspaper
May 8, UP: “Alexandria, La., May 8 (U.P.) – Officials at the Alexandria, Louisiana Army Air Field revealed today that seven men were killed and eleven others are missing in a mid-air collision of two huge bombers near Esler Air Field, Louisiana. The mid-air crash between the two four-engined bombers occurred Sunday [May 6]. Both planes were on a combat training flight. Noe of the dead were from Texas, but Second Lieutenant William Gonzales of Houston, Texas, was listed as missing.” (UP. “Texan Missing After Mid-air Plane Crash.” Taylor Daily Press, TX. 5-8-1945, p. 7.)
May 9: “Alexandria, LA. – Nine men were killed and two are still missing following the collision of two four-engined-bombers near Esler Field May 6. Col. Quentin T. Quick, commanding officer of the Alexandria army air field, yesterday issued this incomplete list:
“Dead
2nd lt. Kenneth P. Klaasen, Holland, Mich.
Flight Officer Angelo G. Gagliardi, Cleveland Ohio.
2nd Lt. Davis L. Prescott, Jr., husband of Mrs. Wava L. Prescott, Idana, Kansas.
Sgt. Hoyt A Young, Bristow,, Okla.
Sgt. William W. Rooker, Rome, Ga.
Sgt. George P. Cirzan, Chicago, Ill.
Cpl. Robert L. Stoutenburg, Plano, Ill.
“Those still missing and their next of kin who have been notified are:
2nd Lt. William Gonzalez, husband of Mrs. Karyl R. Gonzalez…Houston, Texas. [Dead][1]
2nd Lt. Wendell R. Stanley, Inglewood, Calif.
(Brownsville Herald, TX. “9 Dead, 2 Missing As Planes Collide.” 5-9-1945, p. 5.)
Sources
Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers 42-001 to 42-10959). June 2, 2023 revision.
Accessed 12-6-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1.html
Brownsville Herald, TX. “9 Dead, 2 Missing As Planes Collide.” 5-9-1945, p. 5. Accessed 12-5-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brownsville-herald-may-09-1945-p-25/
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 3: August 1944 – December 1945). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.
United Press. “Texan Missing After Mid-air Plane Crash.” Taylor Daily Press, TX. 5-8-1945, p. 7. Accessed 12-5-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/taylor-daily-press-may-08-1945-p-7/
[1] Dignitymemorial.com. “Obituary. William Karl Gonzalez, January 9, 1943 – May 16, 2023.” Notes his father, 2nd Lieutenant William Gonzalez, married to Karyl Ellen Graeff Gonzalez, died in May 1945 while serving in the Army Air Corps.