1945 – March 3, USAAF B-17F too-low plane crash in heavy rain, near Winnfield, LA– 11
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/ Last edit 12-11-2023.
–11 AP. “Alexandria Crash Kills…Crew of Big Fortress.” Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. 3-5-1945, p.8.
–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, 1049.
Blanchard note: We use the Associated Press reporting of eleven deaths in that eleven fatalities are named.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1956 CWT, a Boeing B-17F flying in poor weather collided with trees and crashed nine miles WSW of Winnfield, Louisiana, killing ten fliers. The airplane took off at 1615 CWT from Alexandria Army Air Field, Alexandria, Louisiana, on an instrument training flight, which was to be conducted at 8,000 feet on the Alexandria Radio Range. Because of deteriorating weather conditions, flying was called off at 1900. The airplane checked in at 1945 and was ordered to return to base. The pilot acknowledged the order and was given weather information. At 1956, the airplane was observed flying at very low altitude in a heavy rainstorm. The airplane was headed straight for a house, but before a collision could occur the airplane turned to the right and collided with a 65-foot tree, severing the port wing. The airplane rolled out of control and crashed to the ground, exploding into flames upon impact.” (Mireles 2006, p. 1049.)
Newspaper
March 5, AP: “Alexandria, La. – (AP) – The entire crew of 11 was killed Saturday night in the crash of a Flying Fortress about 14 miles southwest of Winnfield, La. Colonel Quentin R. Quick, commanding officer at Alexandria Army Air Base where the plane was based, said the craft fell to a wooded area and was demolished.
“The dead were listed as: [We break paragraph into individual lines.]
2nd Lt. Russell L. Cobbs, 28, West Newton, Iowa;
2nd Lt. Robert J. Keavy, 29, Rt. 1, Alexandria;
2nd Lt. Omar H. Lauridsen, 28, 1711 Polk St., Alexandria;
2nd Lt. Bruno Wieclaw, 23, Ravenna, O.;
T/Sgt. Alexander G. Harwood, 32, Williamsburg, Va.;
Sgt. Harold D. Bush, 23, Washington, Ind.;
Cpl. Lester J. Smejkal, 26, Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.;
Cpl. J. E. Crites, 19, San Bernardina, Calif.;
Cpl. Niels Anderson, 18, International Falls, Minn.;
Pfc. Bruce C. Rue, 19, Benton Harbor, Mich.’ and
Pfc. Millard E. Beaird, 23, Grand Junction, Colo.”
(Associated Press. “Alexandria Crash Kills Whole Crew of Big Fortress.” Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. 3-5-1945, p. 8.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Alexandria Crash Kills Whole Crew of Big Fortress.” Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. 3-5-1945, p. 8. Accessed 12-11-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-delta-democrat-times-mar-05-1945-p-8/
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.