1945 – Jan 26, USN PB4Y-1 Liberator Landing Crash, ~NAAS Jacksonville, FL        —     11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/  Last edit 12-14-2023.

—  11  Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 10-11-2009 rev.

—  11  Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH.  “Eleven Killed in Crash of Navy Plane.” 1-27-1945, 1.

Narrative Information

Aviation Archaeology Investigation & Research: “32113. PB4Y-1….Wrecked….FL, NAAS Jax Muni….Navigation flight, spun-in during emergency landing, 2.5/8mi. due East of Naa.”[1]  (“PB4Y USN Aircraft Airframe History List.”)

Baugher: “Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator….32113 (ex USAAF B-24D 42-40908, VB-4) spun in on landing near Jacksonville, FL 1/26/1945.  11 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 10-11-2009 revision.)

Newspaper

Jan 26, Associated Press: “Jacksonville, Fla. Jan 26 – (AP) – Eleven crew members were killed today when their navy Liberator plane crashed near the naval auxiliary air station here Cmdr. Carl F. Nieberle announced.  The plane attached to the station was returning from a night flight Nieberle said….” (Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH.  “Eleven Killed in Crash of Navy Plane.” 1-27-1945, p. 1.)

Jan 28, AP: “Jacksonville, Fla. – (AP) – Naval authorities today released names of the 11 officers and air crewmen killed in the crash of a navy Liberator patrol plane near the naval auxiliary air station here Friday. Casualties and next of kin included: Ensign Darle Aubrey Dunbar, 22; father, Harold J. Dunbar, Duncombe, Ia.” (Associated Press. “Iowan Among 11 Air Crash Victims.” Waterloo Sunday Courier, IA. 1-28-1945, p. 5.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Iowan Among 11 Air Crash Victims.” Waterloo Sunday Courier, IA. 1-28-1945, p. 5. Accessed 12-14-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/waterloo-daily-courier-jan-28-1945-p-5/

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 8-6-2012 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries4.html

Aviation Archaeology Investigation & Research. “PB4Y USN Aircraft Airframe History List.” Accessed 11-29-2011 at: http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/USN/PB4Y.htm

Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH. “Eleven Killed in Crash of Navy Plane.” 1-27-1945, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=7492092

[1] I believe this is a reference to the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans high-powered, low frequency transmitter which the U.S. Navy had established on the U.S. East Coast in the 1940s. (See: “Very Low Frequency Radio Transmission, Sudden Ionospheric Disturbances” page at: http://moondog.astro.louisville.edu/naa/circuit/info.html