1–10

lornajarrettblanchard January 8, 1945

Compiled Nov 21, 2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–9 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B26 Marauder collision with 2^nd B-26m east of Matamoros.

–9 Baugher, Joseph. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-30848 to 41-39600). 9-4-2011 revision.

–9 Valley Morning Star, Harlingen TX. “Brownsville Gunner Dies in Air Crash.” 1-9-1945, p.1.

–1 Body found and identified

–8 Missing (nighttime and there had been a fire).

–1 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF Dougals A-20G Havoc crash 17M SW of San Antonio.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 8. (2 USAAF B26s):

“Date: Monday 8 January 1945

“Time: 15:00

“Type: Martin TB-26C Marauder

“Owner/operator: 79^th FTWg USAAF

“Registration: 41-35829 ….

“Fatalities: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5

“Other fatalities: 4

….

“Location: east of Matamoros – Mexico (one mile from TX border)

“Phase: En route

“Nature: Training

….

“Narrative:

“On 8 January 1945 two Martin B-26C of 79th Flying Training Wing (Flexible Gunnery), based in Harlingen, Texas, took off from Laguna Madre Sub Base, Texas, at about 1435 CWT on a target towing mission. The airplanes were scheduled to rendezvous with a pair of Consolidated B-24 bombers for gunnery practice. One B-24 failed to take off from Harlingen Army Air Field, Harlingen, Texas, because of mechanical problems. The remaining B-24 took off from Harlingen Army Air Field and the B-24 pilot contacted B-26C 41-35789, advising that the B-24 would rendezvous with the B-26 at 15,000 feet over Port Isabel, Texas, after 25 minutes. AAF personnel on the flight line at Brownsville Army Air Base observed one B-26 flying east and the other B-26 flying to the northeast, both at about 5,000 feet agl.

“At approximately 1500 CWT, the two B-26s collided in mid-air and crashed into a lake east of Matamoros, Mexico, about five miles east of Brownsville Army Air Base, Brownsville, Texas, killing nine AAF fliers. There were no witnesses to the actual collision, which is thought to have occurred at approximately 5,000 feet. The B-26 flying to the east burst into flames in the collision, falling straight down and crashing into the lake about one mile into Mexican territory. The B-26 flying to the northeast fell into a “lazy, spinning spiral” and smashed into the same lake about 100 yards from the other B-26, exploding into flames upon impact. Investigators speculated that the B-26 pilots were flying an unauthorized formation when the collision occurred.

“Killed in the crash of TB-26C 41-35829 were:

F/O Thomas L. Jones, pilot
F/O Robert A. Johnson, co-pilot
SSgt. Vaughn W. Jones, engineer
SSgt. Robert J. Villareal, student engineer
Pfc. Nathan B. Vaden, crewmember

“Killed in the crash of TB-26C 41-35789 were:

F/O Fred M. Knapp, pilot
2Lt. Phillip L. Skow, co-pilot
Pfc. Harold H. Kolding, engineer
Pfc. Elbert C. Johnson, crewmember.”

Baugher: “Martin B-26C-40-MO Marauder….35789 collided in midair with B-26C 41-35829 Jan 8, 1945 and crashed into a lake E of Matamoros, Mexico, about 5 mi E of Brownsville AAB, TX. All 9 crew killed.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-30848 to 41-39600). 9-4-2011 revision.)

Newspaper

Jan 9, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen TX: “Only the body of S/Sgt. Robert J. Villarreal of Brownsville had been recovered late Monday night following a collision in mid-air between two B-26 medium bombers from the Harlingen Army Air Field at a point near the mouth of the Rio Grande. Eight others were reported missing.

“The two bombers were returning from a routine training mission when the accident occurred. It is presumed that they collided and it was hoped that some of the crews had parachuted to safety. Only one body, that of Villarreal, was found. His next of kin was listed as Mrs. Seferina (Henry) Torres of 234 Washington, Brownsville.

“The fact that the accident occurred shortly before darkness fell hindered attempts to reach the planes or to find the crew members…” (Valley Morning Star, Harlingen TX. “Brownsville Gunner Dies in Air Crash.” 1-9-1945, p. 1.)

2^nd Event: USAAF Douglas A-20G Havoc crash 17M SW of San Antonio TX, Jan 8, 1945:

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 7 (USAAF Havoc):

“Date: Monday 8 January 1945

….

“Type: Douglas A-20G Havoc

“Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force (USAAF)

“Registration: 43-21640

….

“Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants:

….

“Location: 17M SW San Antonio, TX – USA

….

“Narrative: Crashed.”

(Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 7. USAAF Dougals A-20G Havoc crash 17M SW of San Antonio. 1-8-1945.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 7. USAAF Dougals A-20G Havoc crash 17M SW of San Antonio. 1-8-1945. Accessed 11-22-1945 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?Year=1945&sorteer=datekey&page=7

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 8. USAAF B26 Marauder 41-35829 collides with USAAF B-26 41-35789 about five miles east of Brownsville Army Air Base, TX, 1-8-1945. Accessed 11-22-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/109938

Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-30848 to 41-39600). Sep 4, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-8-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_5.html

Valley Morning Star, Harlingen TX. “Brownsville Gunner Dies in Air Crash.” 1-9-1945, p. 1. Accessed 11-22-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/valley-morning-star-jan-09-1945-p-1/