1943 – Dec 4, USAAF B-24C crash 2M S of Elverson, PA (near Reading, PA) — 10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-22-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026). 5-18-2011 revision
–10 Reading Eagle, PA. “World War II crew that crashed in West Nantmeal Township honored.”
–9 In the crash
–1 Died later from injuries (Sgt. Vern A. Vanderlin of Detroit)
— 9 Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Bomber Crash Kills 9 Airmen.” 12-6-1943, p. 9.
— 9 Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “9 Army Fliers Killed in Pennsylvania Crash.” 12-7-1943, p. 1.
— 9 Mireles. Fatal [AAF] Aviation Accidents...[US]…1941-1945 [V2]. 2006, 606.
Narrative Information
Baugher: “Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator….42-40494 converted to F-7A-65. Crashed near Elverson, PA while on night cross-country training mission Dec 4, 1943. 10 killed, 1 survived.” (Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026). 5-18-2011 rev.)
Mireles: “12-4-43…Elverson, Pennsylvania. At 2330, a Consolidated B-24D collided with trees and crashed two miles south of Elverson, Pennsylvania, killing nine crewmembers. Gunner Sgt. Vern A. Vandelin and passenger Sgt. John F. Gillespie miraculously survived but were seriously injured. Investigators stated,
‘While on a routine navigational training flight from Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma, to Reading, Pennsylvania, B-24D airplane #42-40494 crashed and burned.
Pilot contacted the tower at Reading Army Air Field at 2225 at which time he was given local weather conditions. After attempting to land, he pulled up and asked for weather at Philadelphia and Harrisburg at 2249. The pilot then replied that he would proceed to Philadelphia. While en route to Philadelphia, the pilot ordered the crew to put on their parachutes. A short time thereafter the ship crashed…. The aircraft hit a wooded area in a flying position [with landing gear in the extended position]. Upon coming to rest at final impact, airplane burst into flames and was totally destroyed…. It is the opinion of the Committee that the accident was caused by the desire of the pilot to maintain visual contact with the ground, and by so doing let down into the haze and ground fog while trying to obtain forward visibility.’
“Killed in the crash were:
2Lt. George W. Wimsatt, pilot;
2Lt. Allen B. Hamilton, co-pilot;
2Lt. Martin Queenth, navigator;
TSgt. Walter G. Kellbach, engineer;
SSgt. Vincent McNally, engineer;
SSgt. Joseph R. Guay, radio operator;
Sgt. Robert E. Hawkins, gunner;
TSgt. Rufus Mobley, passenger;
2Lt. George E. O’Brien, passenger.”
(Mireles. Fatal [AAF] Aviation Accidents...[US]…1941-1945 [V2: Jul 1943–Jul 1944]. 2006.)
Reading Eagle, PA. “World War II crew that crashed in West Nantmeal Township honored.”
“A monument to the crew of a B-24 bomber that crashed during World War II near the Berks/Chester county line was dedicated Saturday [Sep 23, 2017] in West Nantmeal Township….
“On a training mission, the B-24 Liberator was destined for Reading Airport on Dec. 4, 1943. Amid poor visibility, the warplane circled over Reading for an hour before heading for Philadelphia. On its way south, it went down in a farmer’s field in West Nantmeal Township.
“Nine crew members died in the fiery crash, which spread wreckage over a 200-yard area. Sgt. Vern A. Vanderlin of Detroit survived the impact, but died later. Army Sgt. John F. Gillespie of Philadelphia was badly injured but survived.”
Newspapers
Dec 5, Associated Press: “Elverson, Pa., Dec. 5 – (Sunday) – (AP) – A large airplane crashed and burst into flames around midnight near this Southeastern Pennsylvania town and first reports said at least six persons were killed. The Reading army air base, which reportedly sent an official party to the scene, declined comment.” (Florence Morning News, SC. “Six Killed in Crash.” 12-5-1943, p. 8.)
Dec 6: “Elverson, Pa. (AP) – Nine army flyers were killed and two others were seriously hurt when a B-24 bomber crashed, exploded and burned just before midnight Saturday night in a clump of trees on a farm near this southeastern Pennsylvania village, the army announced Sunday. Scores of farm folk saw the plane circling over a wide area of Berks and Chester counties before the wreck, but the Reading, Pa. army air base said the cause of the accident was undetermined.
“The army earlier had said the craft was bound from Oklahoma city to Reading but turned off inward Philadelphia because of low visibility.
“Three men were thrown clear of the wreckage, two of them the survivors. Elverson and Morgantown volunteer firemen and townsfolk attracted by the blaze found the charred bodies of the others in the plane’s debris.” (Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Bomber Crash Kills 9 Airmen.” 12-6-1943, p. 9.)
Dec 7: “Elverson, PA., Dec. 6. (AP) – Nine army fliers were killed and two others seriously hurt when a B-24 bomber, based at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, crashed, exploded and burned on a farm near here late Saturday night. At Oklahoma City Col. Bernard S. Thompson, field commander, announced the dead as:
Second Lt. George W. Wimsait, Evansville, Ind., pilot;
2nd Lt. Alan B. Hamilton, Buffalo, N. Y., co-pilot;
2nd Lt Martin Queenth, Milford, Conn., navigator;
2nd Lt. Walter G. Kellback, West Bend Wisc.;
Tech. Sgt. Rufus N. Modley, Fayetteville, N.C.;
Staff Sgt. Vincent B. McNally, Philadelphia;
Staff Sgt. Joseph R. Guay, Fall River, Mass.;
Sgt. Robert E. Hawkins, Route l, Hood River, Ore.
“The injured men, Thompson said, were Sgt, John P. Gillespie, Philadelphia and Sgt. Vern A. Vandelin, Detroit, who were thrown clear of the wreckage. The plane was reported on a routine flight.” (Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “9 Army Fliers Killed in Pennsylvania Crash.” 12-7-1943.)
Sources
Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026). 5-18-2011 revision. Accessed 10-19-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_2a.html
Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Bomber Crash Kills 9 Airmen.” 12-6-1943, p. 9. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com
Florence Morning News, SC. “Six Killed in Crash.” 12-5-1943, p. 8. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=48607674
Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “9 Army Fliers Killed in Pennsylvania Crash.” 12-7-1943, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52022129
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 2: July 1943 – July 1944). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.
Reading Eagle, PA. “World War II crew that crashed in West Nantmeal Township honored.” 9-24-2017. Accessed 4-22-2024 at: https://www.readingeagle.com/2017/09/24/world-war-ii-crew-that-crashed-in-west-nantmeal-township-honored/