1943 — April 23, two USAAF B-26C bombers collide mid-air over Englewood, FL     —   13

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-10-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–13  Associated Press. “13 Killed as U.S. Bombers Collide.” Paper/date not noted in clipping.

–13  AP. “Army Medium Bombers Collide; 13 Killed.” Cumberland Times, MD 4-25-1943, 2.

–13  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 347.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “B-26C-5-MO Marauder….34790 (387th BG, 556th BS) collided midair with 42-34818 and crashed 6 mi S of Englewood, FL Apr 23, 1943. Pilot killed, rest No.”

 

Mireles: “At 1317 EWT, two Martin B-26C type airplanes collided in mid-air near the Army Air Base at Venice, Florida, killing 13 fliers…. The airplanes were part of a six-ship flight that had taken off from Drane Field, Lakeland, Florida, on a bombing training mission. The forma­tion was flying along a railroad track at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above ground level and a few miles from the bombing target. B-26C #41-34818 was the lead airplane of the second element of three. B-26C #41-34790 was flying in the number-three position of the second element. The flight leader ordered the number-two ship and the number-three ship (41­-34790) of the second element to change positions. The airplanes were changing over from right to left eche­lon when the collision occurred.  Investigation revealed that B-26C #41-34790 flew into lead aircraft. The port wing of B-26C #41-34790 was severed in the colli­sion and the aircraft fell to the ground out of control. B-26C #41-34818, which lost the starboard wing in the collision, crashed to the ground with considerable forward momentum, exploding violently into flames upon impact. The port engine and propeller of B-26C #41-34790 were found in the wreckage of B-26C #41­34818.” 

 

“….Killed in the crash of B-26C #41-34818 were: [We break names out into single lines.]

 

1Lt. Paul R. Sterpole, Pilot;

2Lt. Thomas F. Allen, Jr., co-pilot;

2Lt. Walter S. Koze, bombardier;

2Lt. Edward R. Luoma, observer; [Death on Apr 23 noted on Veterans Legacy Mem. pg.]

SSgt. Frank E. Smith,

TSgt. Marvin R. Van Natta, radio operator;

Sgt. Clyde F. Trainer, gunner.

 

“Killed in the crash of B-26C #41-34790 were:

 

2Lt. Emil J. Hausch, pilot;

F/O Robert J. Baskin, co-pilot;

2Lt. Randolph E. Bailey, bombardier;

Pvt. Louis C. Beal, engineer;

SSgt. J. H. Jonew, gunner;

Pfc. Frank P. Miller, gunner.”

 

(Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 347.)

 

Associated Press: “Lakeland, Fla., April 24. – (AP) – A collision between two Army medium bombers at Englewood Friday killed 13 men, the public relations office at Drane Field, Lakeland, home base of the planes, announced Saturday. There were no  survivors. The Army listed thea victims as: [We break names out into single lines.]

 

Second Lieutenant Emil J. Hausch, Detroit, Mich.;

Flight Officer Robert J. Baskin, Drums, Pa.;

Second Lieutenant Rudolph E. Bailey, Anniston, Ala.;

First Lieutenant Paul R. Sterpole, Newark, N.J.;

Second Lieutenant Waltr S. Kozel, Kenosha, Wis.;

Second Lieutenant Edward R. Luoma, Waukegan, Ill.;

Private Louis C. Bial, Chelsea, Mass.;

Staff Sergeant J. H. Jones, Bowling Green, Ky.;

Private First Class Frank P. Millr, Brooklyn, N.Y.;

Staff Sergeant Frank E. Smith, Indianapolis, Ind.;

Technical Sergeant Marvin E. Vannatta, Alexandria, La., and

Staff Sergeant Clyde F. Trainer Jr., Clarion, Pa.”

 

(Associated Press. “13 Killed as U.S. Bombers Collide.” Paper and date not noted in clipping added by Glen Spurlock on 25 Sep 2012 to Emil J. Hausch memorial on Find a Grave webpage.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “13 Killed as U.S. Bombers Collide.” Paper and date not noted in clipping added by Glen Spurlock on 25 Sep 2012 to Emil J. Hausch memorial on Find a Grave webpage.

Accessed 5-12-2024 at:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14409807/emil-j-hausch#view-photo=67858905

 

Associated Press. “Army Medium Bombers Collide; 13 Killed.” Cumberland Times, MD 4-25-1943, p. 2. Accessed 5-12-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-times-apr-25-1943-p-2/

 

Find a Grave. “2Lt Emil J. Hausch…Death 23 Apr 1943 (aged 21) Englewood, Sarasota County, Florida, USA.” Memorial ID: 14409807 added May 25, 2006.” Accessed 5-12-2024 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14409807/emil-j-hausch

 

Mireles, Anthony J.  Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 1:  Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943).  Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.

 

Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. “Edward R. Luoma. Not Available [birthday] – Apr 23, 1943.” Accessed 5-12-2024 at: https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/EDWARDRLUOMA/DAC1D4A