20th Century

1944 – Dec 8, two USAAF AT-18 planes collide, Sioux Falls Army Air Field, SD         —     10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-4-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

 –10  AP. “Ten soldiers die as planes collide.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. 12-9-1944, p. 1.

–10  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, p. 990.

 Narrative Information

 Mireles: “At 1502 CWT, two Lockheed AT-18 airplanes collided in mid­air and crashed at Sioux Falls Army Air Field, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, killing seven fliers and three army personnel on the ground. Two other army personnel on the ground were seriously injured. Seven crewmembers were injured parachuting to safety.  AT-18 #42­55636 crashed into Barracks #631 at Sioux City Army Air Field and AT-18 #42-55691 crashed five miles northeast of the field after it was abandoned in flight at about 1515 CWT…..

 

“Capt. Woody took off on Runway 33 at 1457 and Lt. Curry took off at 1458 on separate radio training flights. Capt. Woody made a left turn just after take-off and then made a right turn out of the traffic pattern. After climbing to about 1,000 feet agl, Capt. Woody then turned to the left and cir­cled back and around the field. Lt. Curry took off a minute after Capt. Woody and turned left just after becoming airborne, making another left turn moments later, flying a course parallel to the take-off runway. He also was flying at an altitude of about 1,000 feet agl.

 

“The airplanes continued on these respective courses until the collision occurred. Investigation revealed that Capt. Woody’s starboard wing, engine and propeller struck the starboard vertical fin and rudder of Lt. Curry’s airplane. Lt. Curry’s airplane flew for about a quarter mile before going out of control and entering a spiral to the right, smashing into Barracks #631 and bursting into flames. Capt. Woody was unable to con­roll his airplane when speed dipped below 165 mph. The starboard engine began smoking and the airplane was vibrating excessively, making the airplane almost uncontrollable. A portion of the starboard wing lead­ing edge of Capt. Woody’s airplane had been torn away and pieces of the other airplane’s tail section were lodged in the starboard wing. Capt. Woody climbed the airplane, held the speed steady and ordered the crew to bail out.”  (Mireles 2006, 990.)

Newspaper

 

Dec 9, AP: “Sioux Falls. S.D. (AP). Ten soldiers at the Sioux Falls army air field were killed late Friday [Dec 8] when one of two planes that collided in midair crashed into a barracks on the field. Col. O. L. Rogers, commanding officer at the base, announced. Seven men in the other plane involved parachuted to safety before their ship crashed.

 

“Every one of the seven occupants of the plane which crashed into the barracks was killed. Three more men were killed in the barracks building when it was destroyed by fire..” (Associated Press. “Ten soldiers die as planes collide.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. 12-9-1944, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Ten soldiers die as planes collide.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. 12-9-1944, p. 1. Accessed 2-4-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-dec-09-1944-p-1/

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1944 – Dec 7, USAAF AT-18 transport takeoff crash/fire,  Omaha Municipal AP, NE –all 17

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-9-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–17  Associated Press. “17 Persons Die in Air Tragedy.” The Lincoln Star, NE, 12-8-1944, p. 1.

–17  Aviation Safety Network. USAAF AT-18 takeoff crash, Omaha Municipal AP, NE, 12-7-1944

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944:

“Date:                          7 December 1944

“Type:                         Lockheed AT-18 Hudson

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

“Registration:              42-55732

“MSN:                         414-7454

“Fatalities:                   Fatalities: 17 / Occupants: 17

“Aircraft Damage:      Destroyed

“Location:                   Omaha Muni Airport, NE – USA

“Phase:                        Take off

“Nature:                       Military

“Departure airport:      Omaha Municipal Airport, NE

“Destination airport:    Tinker Field, Oklahoma City, OK

“Narrative:                   Twin-engined army transport plane/*Lockheed advanced trainer crashed

and burnt on take-off *during ferry flight. *14 men/ferry pilots and three women. The plane based at Cimarron Field, Oklahoma City, OK (now Clarence E. Page Muni AP)”

 

Newspaper

 

Dec 8, AP: “Omaha, Dec. 8 – (AP) – Seventeen persons, including 14 men and three women, were killed here yesterday when a two-engined army transport plane crashed and burned at the Omaha municipal airport, the investigating officer from the Lincoln army air field announced today. The investigating officer said the plane was based at Cimarron Field, Oklahoma City, Okla., and that all of the bodies had not been identified at mid-morning today.

 

“The crash was the greatest tragedy in the history of the Omaha airport and the loss of life was the first there since 1932.

 

“Orville Hannum, contractor to the Defense Plant corporation, at Yukon, Okla., gave out the following list of those presumed aboard the plane: [We break paragraph into lines.]

 

Robert E. Horn

Robert M. Kersey

Jack Adams Owen

Harry J. Roach

Harold D. Sanderson and

  1. Dick Tate, all of Oklahoma City;

Cornelius E. Callahan

Lawrence W. Eichmann, and

Charlie L. Price, all of Yukon;

Cecil GT. Helton, Woodward Okla.;

Margaret Marian Isbill, McGregor, Tex., and

Berna Mary Turner and

Virginia M. Hope…addresses were not immediately learned, all of whom were WASPS.

Bernard M. Lewis, Washington, D.C.;

Nathan G. Tate, Ireland, Tex., brother of I. Dick Tate, and

Jesse John Reece, Dublin, Tex.

 

“The ferry pilots were employed to fly surplus planes from one depot to another and were being returned to Cimarron Field after ferrying aircraft to various points.

 

“The plane, a Lockheed advanced trainer in use as a transport, carrying ferry pilots to Tinker Field, Okla, had come from Kansas City earlier in the day.

 

“Airport employes said the plane was taking off northwest along the northwest runway and that the crash occurred near the intersection of the north-south northwest-southeast runways. The plane exploded after it hit the ground, they said, and those aboard had no chance to escape.

 

“An employee at the weather bureau located at the airport said the plane went into the air ‘ at a steep angle’ and then ‘seemed to wing over.’ He said ‘no one got out.”

 

“Airport fire equipment was rushed to the scene of the crash, but fire equipment from the Omaha fire department had to be brought to the field before the fire could be put out.

 

“S/Sgt. Forest Foreman of New York City, who rode the plane from Kansas City to Omaha and left it here just before the crash, said he understood the pilot was to pick up army personnel here and return them to Oklahoma City.

 

“Major Dick Martin, public relations officer at Tinker field where the plane was headed, said it was carrying ferry pilots.”

Sources

 

Associated Press. “17 Persons Die in Air Tragedy.” The Lincoln Star, NE, 12-8-1944, p. 1. Accessed 3-9-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-star-dec-08-1944-p-1/

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944. USAAF AT-18 takeoff crash, Omaha Municipal Airport, NE, 12-7-1944. Accessed 3-9-2024 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/237575

 

 

 

 

 

1944 — Dec 5, USAAF P-47D and B-24J planes collide 6M west of Walterboro AAF, SC–13

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-8-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–13  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, p. 987.

–13  The Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Thirteen Fliers Die.” 12-6-1944, p. 7.

Narrative Information

Mireles: “At 0825 EWT, a Republic P-47D and a Consolidated. B- 24J collided in mid-air and crashed six miles west of Walterboro Army Air Field, Walterboro, South Car­olina, killing thirteen fliers. The subject B-24 was the lead airplane of a three-ship flight that took off at 0800 EWT from Charleston Army Air Base, Charleston, South Carolina, on a high-altitude camera-gunnery mission. The subject B-24 flight was assigned to fly at 20,000 feet.

 

“The P-47D was flying in the number-four position of a four-ship flight that took off at 0816 EWT from Walterboro Army Air Field and was to rendezvous with another four-ship B-24 flight, which was a sep­arate flight flying at 8,000 feet. The subject B-24 flight took off, assembled and climbed out on a course of 270 degrees. The P-47s took off, circled the field once and began climbing out on a course of 250 degrees. The two formations were flying on converging courses; the B-24s were to the left and slightly ahead of the P-47 flight. The P-47s were climbing at 500 feet per minute at 170 mph and the B-24s were climbing at 400 feet per minute at about 160 mph.

 

“Investigation of the wreckage indicated that the subject P-47, while in a nose-high, left wing high position, collided with the underside of the number-four engine nacelle of the lead B-24. The number-four propeller of the subject B-24 passed through the top of the fuselage of the P-47, pass­ing from right to left across the rear of the cockpit and across the leading edge of the port wing. Investiga­tion revealed that the lead B-24 was climbing on auto­pilot. Both formations apparently climbed on their original courses until it was too late to avoid a colli­sion. The lead ships of both formations were attempt­ing to turn away from each other when the collision occurred at about 5,500 feet indicated altitude. As the number-four (subject) P-47D passed beneath the B­24 formation, the fighter was turning to the right in an attempt to follow the lead P-47, colliding with the lead B-24’s number-four engine. The B-24’s starboard leading edge, number-four engine, nacelle and pro­peller separated and fell away. The B-24 went into a flat spin and smashed to earth, exploding into flames upon impact. The tail section and port wing of the P-47 separated and the airplane went out of control, slamming to earth and exploding a short distance from the B-24. Investigators speculated that the P-47 pilot, because he was watching his wingman while flying for­mation, did not see the B-24 formation until the in­stant that the collision occurred. It was noted that the P-47 pilot had been lagging behind early in the flight.”  (Mireles 2006, 987.)

 

Newspaper

 

Dec 7, UP: “Charleston, S.C., Dec. 6 – (U.P.) – Thirteen members of the army air forces were killed yesterday in a collision of a B-24 bomber and a P-47 fighter plane neat Walterboro, S.C., it was announced today.” (The Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Thirteen Fliers Die.” 12-6-1944, p. 7.0

Sources

 

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.

 

The Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Thirteen Fliers Die.” 12-6-1944, p. 7. Accessed 3-8-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-dec-06-1944-p-7/

 

 

 

1944 – Dec 5, torpedo magazine explodes, US Naval Ammunition depot, McAlester, OK–11

–11  Daily Ardmoreite, Ardmore OK. “11 Die in Blast at McAlester Naval Depot.”12-6-1944, 1.

–11  Daily Capital News, Jefferson City, MO. “11 Servicemen Believed Dead…” 12-6-1944.

–11  McAlester News Capital, OK. “Civilian, Killed in an Explosion of a Storage…” 12-9-1944.

–11  Moran. Explosive Accident Summary: [WW] II. DoD Explosives Safety Board, 1992, p.116

–11  Morning Avalanche, Lubbock, TX. “Eleven…Dead in Explosion, McAlester.” 12-6-1944.

–11  Tuscaloosa News, AL. “11 Killed in Explosion of Torpedo Warheads.” 12-6-1944, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Moran:  “NAD McAlester….On 5 December 1944, while loading Torpex loaded bombs from a trailer into an igloo magazine, a detonation in the magazine propagated to the trailer, killing all 11 of the magazine crew.”  (Moran, Edward P. Jr. Explosive Accident Summary: World War II. DoD Explosives Safety Board, Aug 1992, pp. 115-116.)

 

Newspapers at the Time

 

Dec 6, Ardmore, OK: “M’Alester, Dec. 6. – (AP) – Capt. Elmer Woodside, commanding the McAlester naval ammunition depot, today released the names of seven enlisted men and four civilians killed in a blast which occurred while torpedo warheads were being transferred from trucks to a magazine. The dead in yesterday’s explosion were:

 

Gunner’s Mate 1/C Edgar T. Holder, McAlester.

Seaman 2/C John W. Bradford, Hot Springs, Ark.

Seaman 2/C Robert L. Dorland, Elizabeth, N.J.

Seaman 1/C Eugene Q. Mansfield, Shungopavy, Ariz.

Seaman 2/C Floyd Walker, McFarland, Cal.

Seaman 1/C Albert D. Williford, Marinette, Ariz.

Seaman 1/C Alphonso H. Zeyouman, Second Mesa, Ariz.

Samuel Gentry, 44, Savanna, truck driver.

Clarence C. Moore, 29, McAlester, hoist operator.

James Hart, 28, McAlester, truck driver.

George W. Carson, 48, McAlester, checker.

 

“‘We don’t know what happened,’ Woodside said, ‘and of course all witnesses who could tell us anything are presumed dead.’ The officer, however, was continuing an investigation into the blast, which he said involved about eight tons of the explosives used to charge warheads for marine torpedoes. ‘We are turning out several thousand tons of material a month,’ the officer said, ‘and this is out first serious accident.’ Woodside said the second shift at the depot went ahead with its work following the explosion ‘ with no reluctance at all.’” (Daily Ardmoreite, Ardmore OK. “11 Die in Blast at McAlester Naval Depot.”12-6-1944, p.1.)

 

Dec 6, Tuscaloosa News (AL): “McAlester, Okla., Dec. 6 – (UP) – Names of four civilians and seven naval enlisted men killed late yesterday in an explosion of torpedo warheads at the McAlester naval ammunition depot were announced today by Capt. …Woodside, commanding officer.  Woodside said cause of the tremendous blast at the cave-like magazine, or ‘igloo,’ in a isolated valley of the huge depot probably would never be known.  The blast left no trace of any of its victims, tearing a hole in the ground 15 feet deep and 20 feet in diameter.  ‘The men were handling the warheads in a routine operation,’ said Woodside. ‘Several of the warheads had been removed from two trucks parked outside the magazine and stored inside.  Something went wrong.  We probably never will know.”  (Tuscaloosa News, AL. “11 Killed in Explosion of Torpedo Warheads.” 12-6-1944, p. 1.)

 

Dec 9, McAlester News Capital (OK): “Memorial services for George W. Carson, 48, McAlester, a checker who was killed in the explosion at the United States Naval Ammunition depot, which took 11 lives Tuesday, will be held at Prague Sunday afternoon. The services will be held at the Parks Funeral home in Prague. The Edward Walla post No. 11 of the American Legion there will be in charge. Carson was a veteran of World War I. He had been a resident of Prague until about one year ago, when he moved to McAlester to work at the depot….”  (McAlester News Capital, OK. “Civilian, Killed in an Explosion of a Storage Magazine at the Naval Ammunition Depot.” 12-9-1944.)

Sources

 

Daily Ardmoreite, Ardmore OK. “11 Die in Blast at McAlester Naval Depot.”12-6-1944, p.1. Accessed 3-10-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ardmore-daily-ardmoreite-dec-06-1944-p-1/

 

Daily Capital News, Jefferson City, MO. “11 Servicemen Believed Dead in Exp;osion” 12-6-1944, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-capital-news-dec-06-1944-p-1/

 

Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Eleven Men Feared Dead in Explosion, McAlester.” 12-6-1944, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/lubbock-morning-avalanche-dec-06-1944-p-1/

 

McAlester News Capital, OK. “Civilian, Killed in an Explosion of a Storage Magazine at the Naval Ammunition Depot.” 12-9-1944. Accessed 4-21-2013 at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=18769872

 

Moran, Edward P. Jr. Explosive Accident Summary: World War II. DoD Explosives Safety Board, Aug 1992. Accessed 4-19-2013: http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA507027

 

Tuscaloosa News, AL. “11 Killed in Explosion of Torpedo Warheads.” 12-6-1944, p. 1. Accessed at: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DuY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=E00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3122,6558088&dq=mcalester+explosion&hl=en

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1944 — Nov 6, USN jet and transport collide, St. Johns River near NAS Jacksonville, FL–18

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-19-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–18  ASN. USN R4D-5 transport and USN Corsair jet collide near Jacksonville NAS, 11-6-1944.

–18  Baugher.  US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191) 7-17-2011.

–18  Lethbridge Herald, Alberta, Canada.  “News Bulletins.” 11-6-1944, p. 1.

–18  Statesville Daily Record, NC.  “Planes Crash in Mid-Air at Jacksonville.” 11-7-1944, p. 4.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database:

“Date and Time:          Monday 6 November 1944, 12:00

“Type:                         Douglas R4D-5 (DC-3)

“Operator:                   United States Navy

“Registration:              39063

“MSN:                         9941

“First flight:                1943

“Crew and Passengers: Fatalities: 17 / Occupants: 17

“Collision casualties:  Fatalities: 1 [US Navy Goodyear FG-1A Corsair jet]

“Aircraft damage:       Damaged beyond repair

“Location:                   near Jacksonville NAS, FL

….

“Narrative:                  A Douglas R4D-5 Navy transport plane crashed into St Johns River

following a mid-air collision with a US Navy Goodyear FG-1A Corsair (13334). All 18 on both planes killed.”

 

Baugher: “Goodyear…FG-1 Corsair. 13334 in midair collision with R4D-5 39063 and crashed into St. Johns river near NAS Jacksonville Nov 6, 1944. All 18 on both planes killed.” (Baugher.  US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191) 7-17-2011.)

 

Newspapers

 

Nov 6: “Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 6. – (AP) – The Jacksonville Naval air station announced Monday [Nov 6] that 18 persons were believed to have been killed in an air collision shortly after noon near the station.” (Lethbridge Herald, Alberta, Canada. “News Bulletins.” 11-6-1944, p. 1.)

 

Nov 7: “Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 7. – (UP) – Navy crash and salvage boats continued their grappling operations in one of the widest stretches of the St. John’s river here today in search of the wreckage of a Navy fighter plane and transport which were reported to have carried 18 persons to their death when they collided in mid-air and plunged into the river at noon yesterday.

 

“The announcement issued by Navy authorities at the Jacksonville Nava Air Station late yesterday said that 17 persons were aboard the Naval Air Transport Service plane and only the pilot in the fighter.  No immediate details…were given pending the notification of next of kin, the Navy said. A full inquiry into the crash was under way.

 

“A group of men from a South Jacksonville military school, who went out in a boat to the spot where the planes were reported to have gone under, said that they found no evidence of a crash other than an oil slick on the water.  A South Jacksonville resident reported that she heard the explosion when the planes collided, but that when she rushed to the river bank, all that could be seen were two clouds of smoke, which she estimated to be half a mile apart, rising from the river. The river is three miles wide at the point where the planes were reported to have crashed.

 

“It was one of the largest single losses of life ever suffered at the air station and the first major accident at the Navy base since 13 men were killed when a PBY bomber exploded in mid-air and

and crashed here in June, 1943.” (Statesville Daily Record, NC. “Planes Crash in Mid-Air at Jacksonville.” 11-7-1944, p. 4.)

Sources

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database. USN R4D-5 transport and USN Corsair jet collide near Jacksonville NAS, 11-6-1944. Accessed 3-19-2024 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19441106-3

 

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (10317 to 21191). July 17, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries2.html

 

Lethbridge Herald, Alberta, Canada. “News Bulletins [USN Planes Collide, Jacksonville, FL],” 11-6-1944, 1. At:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=24056935

 

Statesville Daily Record, NC. “Planes Crash in Mid-Air at Jacksonville.” 11-7-1944, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=142843779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1944 — Nov 30, USAAF B-24 bombers collide 8M E of Davis-Monthan AAF, Tucson AZ–18

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-11-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–18  Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-24’s collide, Pantano Wash, AZ, 11-30-1944.

–18  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, p. 982.

–18  Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ. “Kin of Double Crash Victims Being Advised.” 12-1-1944, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944:

“Date:                          Thursday 30 November 1944

“Time:                         07:40

“Type:                         Consolidated B-24J-35-CO Liberator

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

“Registration:              42-73357

“MSN:                         2927

“Fatalities:                   Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9

“Other fatalities:         9

“Aircraft damage:       Destroyed

“Phase:                        En route

“Nature:                      Military

“Departure airport:      Davis Monthan Field, AZ

“Destination airport:   [Not noted.]

“Narrative:                  Mid air collision with another B-24 [42-73344] and crashed.

 

Mireles: “At 0847 MWT, two Consolidated B-24J airplanes collided in mid-air and crashed eight miles east of Davis-Monthan Army Air Field, Tucson, Arizona, killing 18 fliers…. Investigators stated,

 

The aircraft involved in this crash were part of a 19-ship formation which started its initial take-off at [0830 MWT] with 30 second in­tervals… The aircraft involved were mem­bers of the second six-ship flight referred to as B-Baker flight. [Aircraft #42-73344, (Field #41) was briefed to fly as Baker-2 and aircraft #42-73357 (Field #29) was briefed to fly as Baker-5.] 

 

The flights were flying sep­arately at the time of the accident. Take-off was as briefed into the sun…. Take-off was normal and a 180- degree turn to the left was made after the ships went out on the take-off heading for four minutes. In this turn all pilots were blinded by the sun, and in most cases were only able to see the aircraft ahead of them if any at all. Baker-3 experienced difficulty in getting his under-carriage up and turned inside of the forma­tion causing some confusion to the pattern of follow­ing aircraft, and when the pilots rolled out of their turns to proceed on the downwind leg at approximately 1,500 to 1,700 feet above ground level, confusion existed as to the identity of their element leaders and Baker-2 mistakenly formed on Baker-4’s right wing. Baker-1 at this time was to the left, low and practically abreast of Baker-4 with some distance separating them. Baker-5 was low and behind the formation and as the aircraft proceeded on the downwind leg attempted to climb and proceed to the right to assume his proper position, which at the time was occupied by Baker-2. In so doing, Baker-5 collided with Baker-2. Baker-5 struck Baker-2’s left rudder and vertical stabilizer with his wing in the area between the number-three engine and fuselage. The sections of empennage were seen to leave Baker-5’s tail and fly back through the formation. The two aircraft proceeded in this locked position momen­tarily and then broke apart. Baker-5 dove straight into the ground and Baker-2 did a maneuver, described as a chandelle to the right, and went into the ground at an angle. The aircraft crashed approximately 200 yards from each other almost simultaneously with an im­mediate explosion and fire, which destroyed both air­craft entirely and instantly killed all aboard.  No para­chutes or bodies were seen to leave the aircraft while in flight.”  (Mireles 2006, 982.)

Newspaper

 

Nov 30, UP: “Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 30 (U.P.) – The Pima county sheriff’s office reported that two B-24 army bombers based at Davis-Monthan Army Air Field collided head-on seven miles east of here today. Deputy Sheriff Frank Snodgrass, who was almost directly beneath the planes when they came together, said both craft crashed to the ground, exploded and burst into flame. He said all crew members were killed. Force of the violent explosion scattered plane parts over several acres, Snodgrass said….” (United Press. “Army Bombers Crash Headon Near Tucson; Crews Killed.” Yuma Sun, 11-30-1944, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, database, 1944. USAAF B-24’s collide, Pantano Wash, AZ, 11-30-1944. Accessed 3-11-2024 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/273744

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, database, 1944. USAAF B-24’s collide, Pantano Wash, AZ, 11-30-1944. Accessed 3-11-2024 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/273743

 

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.

 

Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ. “Kin of Double Crash Victims Being Advised.” 12-1-1944, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tucson-daily-citizen-dec-01-1944-p-1/

 

United Press. “Army Bombers Crash Headon Near Tucson; Crews Killed.” Yuma Sun, 11-30-1944, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/yuma-sun-nov-30-1944-p-1/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1944 – Nov 29, USAAF B-24 tail section failure/crash, Middle Mt., Nottingham, NH  —  9-10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-12-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision.

—  9  Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. USAAF B-24 #44-49669, 11-29-1944, NH.[1]

—  9  Portsmouth Herald, NH. “Clear Wreck of Liberator in Nottingham.” 11-30-1944, 1.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Ford B-24L-10-FO Liberator….49669 crashed inverted after takeoff from Grenier Field, NH Nov 20, 1944 when tail surface hinge failed. 10 killed. Plane was enroute to Gander, Newfoundland.”[2] (Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision.)

 

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. USAAF B-24 #44-49669, 11-29-1944, NH:

“Date & Time:                         Nov 29, 1944 at 0930

“Type of aircraft:        Consolidated B-24 Liberator

“Operator:                   USAAF

“Registration:              44-49669

“Flight Phase:              Flight

“Flight Type:               Military

“Survivors:                  No

….

“Schedule:                   Manchester – Gander

“MSN:                         4524

“Location:                   Nottingham, New Hampshire….

“Crew on board:         9

“Crew fatalities:          9

“Pax on board:                        0….

“Circumstances:          Few minutes after take off from Grenier Field AFB in Manchester, en

route to Gander, the aircraft went out of control, nosed down and crashed in the Pawtuckaway State Forest in Nottingham, some 16 miles northeast of Manchester. All nine crew members were killed.


Cpl Robert Hunter Wells,
2nd Lt Paul E. Hackstock,
2nd Lt Wilbur C. Stephensen,
F/O Russell L. Jones,
Cpl Calvin R. Rickenbach,
Cpl Thomas L. McDougall,
Cpl William L. Swarmer Jr.,
Cpl Preston K. Smith,
Cpl Kenneth J. Young.

 

“Probable cause:         It appears the loss of control occurred when a tail surface hinge failed.”

 

Newspaper

 

Nov 30, Portsmouth Herald, NH: “Work of clearing wreckage of an army B24 bomber which crashed into the base of Middle mountain in the Patuccoway [Pawtuckaway] range at Nottingham yesterday was begun this morning as military authorities announced the names of the nine crew men who were killed in the accident.

 

“Grenier field officials in Manchester listed Sgt. Robert H. Wells, 23, a Dartmouth college graduate of Hanover, as one of the men who died.  He was a ball turret gunner in the plane.  His mother, Mrs. Madelyn R. Wells of Hanover and his bride of two months, Mrs. Myra Barwood Wells, were notified of his death yesterday.  Others who died in the crash were

 

2nd Lt. Paul Hackstock of Fort Morgan, Colo.,

2nd Lt. Wilbur C. Stephenson of Cokeville, Pa.,

Flight Officer Russell L. Jones of Grand Rapids, Mich.,

Cpl. Alvin R. Rickenbach of Ephrata, Pa.,

Cpl. Thomas L. McDougal of Marydel, Md..

Cpl. William L. Swarner, Jr., of Overland Park, Kan.,

Cpl. Preston K. Smith of Strawberry Plains, Tenn., and

Cpl. Kenneth J. Young of Windsor, Ont., Can.

 

“Residents in the vicinity of the crash reported that a loud explosion was heard as the plane new at a low level.  Some said the motors of the plane faltered and a short time later all heard the  noise of the crash.  Dense black smoke covered the area for two hours and live ammunition exploded for about the same length of time.

 

“The scene of the accident was about three miles from Route 107 highway leading from  Raymond to Deerfield.  Both Deerfield and Raymond fire departments were summoned to the fire which followed the crash.  Flames were brought under control quickly and the fire was kept from spreading to surrounding wooded areas….”  (Portsmouth Herald, NH. “Clear Wreck of Liberator in Nottingham.” 11-30-1944, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-25-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_4.html

 

Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. USAAF Consolidated B-24 Liberator #44-49669 crash, Nottingham, NH 11-29-1944. Accessed 3-12-2024 at: https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-consolidated-b-24l-10-fo-liberator-nottingham-9-killed

 

Portsmouth Herald, NH. “Clear Wreck of Liberator in Nottingham.” 11-30-1944, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=54589316

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] We suspect that this is the correct account.

[2] We could find no corroboration for a B-24 crash in New Hampshire on Nov 20. We did find information on a B-24 crash on November 29. Nottingham is northeast of Grenier Field and would be on a direction to head out toward Newfoundland.

1944 – Nov 21, butane gas truck and car collide, vapor explosion, Denison TX        —     10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-12-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  Abilene Reporter-News. “Coleman Funeral Held for Victim of Butane Blast,” 11-28-1944.

–10  Abilene Reporter-News, TX. “Denison Butane Fire Claims 10th Victim.” 11-25-1944, p. 5.

–10  Khan and Abbasi. “Major Accidents in Process Industries…” LPPI Journal, V. 12, 1999.

–10  Mannan. Lee’s Loss Prevention in the Process Industries (Vol. 1, 3rd Ed.), Table A1.2

–10  National Fire Protection Assoc. Spreadsheet on Large Loss of Life Fires (as of Feb 2003).

Narrative Information

 

Nov 22, Associated Press: “Denison—(AP)—Two more deaths today brought to seven the number killed in an explosion and fire here which followed the collision of a butane gas tank truck and an automobile.  Nine of more than 27 other persons injured when blasts rocked a block in Denison at 4:57 p.m. yesterday were in the hospital.  Chief of Police Paul Borum, whose department was investigating, called it ‘the worst tragedy in the city’s history’. A small grocery warehouse was blown to bits and trees and residences in the block suffered fire and explosion damage.” (Brownsville Herald. “Death Toll Reaches Seven In Denison Gas Explosion,” 11-22-1944.)

 

Nov 22: “Denison, Nov. 22 (AP) – The toll of dead stood at eight tonight in a butane gas explosion that swept a block of this city and burned 34 persons.  Five persons were still in the hospital – victims of the fiery blast which rocked homes over a wide area of the northwestern edge of Denison late yesterday. The condition of three of the injured was reported critical.

 

“Chief of Police Paul Borum said his department was continuing an investigation of the tragedy which occurred following a collision between a butane gas tank truck and an automobile.

 

“Mrs. C. A. Bass of Denison, John Marshall, Sherman real estate man, and Austin Jordan, Denison taxi driver, died today and other deaths included Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Sweney, Kansas City, Kan., F. L. Nix, Denison; E. E. Hammond, Sherman and Lonnie Iker, Denison.

 

“From eyewitness reports, police pieced together this version of the accident:  The collision, they speculated, knocked the cap from the butane tank. Jeff Whitfield of Denison, leaped from the truck and ran; shouting for others to do likewise. A butcher came out of a grocery store and warned the crowd to get away. No one moved. A train chuffed by the intersection and an automobile passed. Perhaps one of these, police reasoned, furnished the spark that set off the highly volatile gas.

 

“There was an earth-shaking explosion and flames shot more than half a block to envelop victims and transform them into human torches. Houses in the area were seared.  A small grocery warehouse was blown to bits. An eyewitness, Clarence Scott, said people flew through the air.

 

“Borum said W. P. Hammond, one of the victims who later died, was blown 250 feet and fell to the ground, his clothing aflame.

 

“Marshall, one of those fatally burned, was in the automobile that was in the collision with the truck.  His wife, and Mrs. R. B. Marshall of Dallas, who were with him, were gravely burned. Also in a critical condition was Lonnie Joe Hammons, 12 years old, of Denison, who was on his way to a grocery store to get a can of tomatoes when flames engulfed him….”  (Amarillo Daily News, TX. “Brother of Amarillo Woman Among Eight Denison Blast Victims.” 11-23-1944, 8.)

 

Nov 23:  “Denison, Tex., Nov. 23—(AP)—The death toll in a butane gas explosion that swept a block of this city rose to nine today and four others burned in the fiery blast remained in a critical condition….”  (Laredo Times, TX. “Toll at 9,” November 23, 1944, p. 7.)

 

Nov 24:  “Denison, Tex – (AP) – The death of Mrs. John Marshall of Sherman Thursday brought to nine the fatalities resulting from a butane gas explosion that rocked the northwestern edge of Denison Tuesday.  Mrs. Marshall died in a Sherman hospital at 4 a m . 

 

“Four persons among those burned in the fiery blast were still in a critical condition.  They were Mrs. R. B. Marshall, Dallas, and Mrs. Otto C. Ahlers, Sherman, in a Sherman hospital, and Lonnie Joe Hammers, 12, Denison, and Mrs. Ed Kilgore, Denison, under treatment at a local hospital.

 

“The explosion followed a collision between a butane gas tank truck and an automobile in which

Mrs. John Marshall and her husband and Mrs. R. B. Marshall were riding.”  (Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX. “Toll of Dead at Denison Reaches Nine.” 11-24-1944, p. 2.)

 

Nov 24:  “Denison, Nov. 24 – (AP) – Mrs. Otto C. Ahlers of Sherman, Tex., injured in an explosion and fire which followed the collision of an automobile and a butane gas tank [truck], here, died in the hospital at Sherman today.  Her death brought to ten the number injured fatally in the mishap.  Three persons injured critically remained in hospitals, where their conditions were reported somewhat improved. They were Mrs. R. S. Marshal of Dallas, in the hospital at Sherman, and Bonnie Joe Hammons, 12, and Mrs. Ed Kilgore, both of Denison, and both in the hospital here.” (Abilene Reporter-News, TX. “Denison Butane Fire Claims 10th Victim.” 11-25-1944, p. 5.)

 

Nov 28:  “Coleman. Nov. 28 – (Spl) – Funeral services for Mrs. John Marshall of Sherman, fatally burned in the butane gas explosion in Denison last Tuesday were held in Coleman Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Marshall died in a Denison hospital Thursday morning. She was a former resident of Coleman.

 

“Mr. Marshall also was killed in the explosion that took ten persons and burned 34 others. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall and his sister, Mrs. A. B. Martin of Dallas, were in the automobile that collided with the butane gas truck. Mrs. Martin is also a former resident of this city. She was critically burned….

 

“Mr. Marshall was state representative from Grayson county at one time and during his tenure of office served as speaker of the House of Representatives.

 

“A similar tragedy was averted here only last Saturday when Gerald Swann’s butane truck was involved in an accident in front of the Coleman Ice company building.  The local fire department stationed firemen around the truck until the damage was repaired.

 

“The city commission in session Wednesday night instructed City Attorney Rob O’Hair to investigate the feasibility of a city ordinance that would prohibit the transportation of the highly volatile gas through the city.” (Abilene Reporter-News, TX. “Coleman Funeral Held for Victim of Butane Blast.” 11-28-1944, p. 11.)

 

Dec 8: “….Another subject in which the legislature is certain to delve will be that having to do with the handling and transportation of butane gas.

 

“Unusual it is that the Texas Butane Gas Dealers association wants the legislature to delve into the subject; will ask the solons to tighten laws governing the butane business and wants the Texas Railroad commission, under whose direction the butane business is carried on, to do a better job.

 

“The reason for the legislature’s interest in the butane, business, and for butane dealers’ unanimous feeling that more and better regulation is desirable, is, of course, the recent horrible accident in Denison….The butane dealers don’t want a recurrence of the Denison mishap and neither do the legislators and the people of Texas.

 

“Certainly there should be more regulation of the handling and transporting of butane gas than there is now but for our part, we doubt that the Texas Railroad commission can do the job as it should be done. The Railroad commission already has more to do than it can do – or, at least, than it does well.  For, a long time, many of those interested in better government in Texas have urged decentralization of the Railroad commission’s control, pointing out the» difficulty of the one agency – which always is knee-deep in politics – to regulate and control some utilities, rail, bus, truck, gas and oil business in this large state.

 

“The Railroad commission is the only state body, currently authorized to control and regulate butane handling and shipping and any additional control directed by the next legislature must be overseen by the Railroad commission.

 

“But we hope to see the day when the top-heavy commission is torn down and re-organized so that several regulatory bodies may take its place and then do the whole job much better than the Railroad commission has given evidence of doing.”  (Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Coming Legislative Topics” (Editorial). 12-8-1944, p. 18.)

 

Dec 8: “Austin, Dec. 7 (UP) – It isn’t often that anyone asks the legislature to grant some state department more regulatory power, but that’s what butane gas dealers in Texas are planning to do.  Not yet a year old, the Texas Butane Dealers association will advocate to legislators in January that statutes governing butane gas be tightened and present authority of the Texas Railroad commission over the business be extended, Association Executive Secretary William J. Lawson says.

 

“One trouble with the present law is that it does not provide sufficient funds for proper enforcement of rules and regulations.  A charge of $25 for a license, plus posting a $2,000 bond, is required alike for butane dealers, refiners, equipment makers, transporters, plumbers and appliance dealers. The association, Lawson says, is not advocating higher licenses, but some qualification regulations are needed.

 

“On a slim budget, the Railroad commission oversees the 512 license holders in conjunction with

functions of its Gas Utilities division.  In current operation there are about 60,000 domestic and commercial butane systems in the state.

 

“Wartime scarcity of certain materials has caused some irregularities in the butane business, Lawson explains, and dealers are anxious to have them corrected through closer supervision.

 

“Some butane operators advocate periodic inspection of trucks that haul the gas, of system installations, equipment makers and tanks in the interest of both safety and good trade practice.

 

“The association will map out its legislative program at a statewide meeting in Austin December 8, Lawson says.” (Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Butane Dealers To Seek More State Regulation.” 12-8-1944, p. 18.)

 

Sources

 

Abilene Reporter-News, TX. “Coleman Funeral Held for Victim of Butane Blast,” 11-28-1944, p. 8. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=73201822

 

Abilene Reporter-News, TX. “Denison Butane Fire Claims 10th Victim.” 11-25-1944, p. 5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=74752100&sterm=denison+dead

 

Amarillo Daily News, TX. “Brother of Amarillo Woman Among Eight Denison Blast Victims.” 11-23-1944, p. 8. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=78348593&sterm

 

Brownsville Herald, TX. “Death Toll Reaches Seven In Denison Gas Explosion.” 11-22-1944, p. 11. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=74332901

 

Khan, Faisal I. and S.A. Abbasi. “Major Accidents in Process Industries and an Analysis of Causes and Consequences.” Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Vol. 12, 1999, pp. 361-378. At: http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:http://202.38.89.99/Loss_prevention/99503.pdf

 

Laredo Times, TX. “Toll at 9,” November 23, 1944, p. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=157060341

 

Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Butane Dealers To Seek More State Regulation.” 12-8-1944, p. 18. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=107413910&sterm

 

Lubbock Morning Avalanche, TX. “Coming Legislative Topics” (Editorial). 12-8-1944, p.18. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=107413910&sterm=denison

 

Mannan, Sam (Ed.). Lee’s Loss Prevention in the Process Industries: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control (3rd Ed., 3 Vols.). Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005. 

 

National Fire Protection Association. Spreadsheet on Large Loss of Life Fires (as of Feb 2003). (Email attachment to B. W. Blanchard from Jacob Ratliff, NFPA Archivist/Taxonomy Librarian, 7-8-2013.)

 

Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, TX. “Toll of Dead at Denison Reaches Nine.” 11-24-1944, p. 2.

At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=16360027&sterm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1944 — Nov 19, USAAF C-47A plane crash near Brighton and Lewes, England    –24 US/25

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-13-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

 —  26  Paris News, TX. “26 U.S. Soldiers Killed in C-47 Crash En Route to France.” 11-20-1944

—  25  Aircrew Remembrance Society. “Mission: Returning to France (A-35) Chateaudun.”

—  25  ASN. Accident description. USAAF Douglas C-47-80-DL, 1944, Nov 19, NE of Brighton

—  25  Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 29.

Aircrew Remembrance Society:  “Mission: Returning to France (A-35) Chateaudun

Date: 19th November 1944
Unit:: 439th Troop Carrier Group. 92nd Squadron. U.S.A.A.F.
Type: C-47. Dakota.
Serial: 43 -15046.
Coded: J8. Tail letter “Y”
Location: Near Falmer Village, North of Brighton, Sussex.

Pilot: 1st Lt. Donald Q Reid. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Navigator: T/Sgt. Walter J James. U.S.A.A.F. Severe burns.
Sgt. Bryce D Hacking. U.S.A.A.F. Burns and other injuries.
Sgt. Orazio R Toglia. U.S.A.A.F. Burns and other injuries.
Cpl. Eric Ackerman. U.S.A.A.F. Burns and other injuries.

Passengers:
Pilot: 1st Lt. Roy L Gritz. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Navigator: 1st Lt. Stanley E Lis. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Russell W Barron. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Crew Chief: T/Sgt. John H Young. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Crew Chief: T/Sgt. Howard F White. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Glider Mech. S/Sgt. Donald S Horstick. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Instr. Specialist: S/Sgt. James H Holly. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Crew Chief: S/Sgt. Arthur M Hackett. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Cook: Sgt. Barbato C D’Andrea. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Engineer: Sgt. Joseph H Alba. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Glider Mech.: Sgt. Jake E Hesser. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Baker: Sgt. Felix R Sobkowiak. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Engineer: Sgt. William Hickson. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Glider Mech.: Sgt. Sherman W Miller. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Glider Mech.: Sgt. Harold F Mills. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Transport: Cpl. Richard M Jones. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Engineer: Cpl. Paul A Kokko. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Engineer: Cpl. Charles W Evenick. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Refuel. Unit: Pfc. Byron G Peacock. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Transport: Pvt. Roland P Lariviere. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Engineer: Pvt. Frank R Mixer. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Unidentified Group Headquarters U.S.A.A.F. Killed.
Unidentified Frenchman. Killed.
Unidentified Frenchman. Badly injured.

“Reason for loss:  This aircraft crashed killing not only the pilot 1st/Lt. Reid, but 21 other members of the 92nd Transport Squadron.  In addition 6 were injured, 2 of whom died the same day, at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. A Frenchman was also killed in the crash, another Frenchman who was badly injured managed to reach Falmer Village and give the alarm. Also amongst the dead was a man from Group Headquarters who was not named.

 

“The C -47 was returning to airfield A – 35 (Chateaudun, France) taking personnel on board back to France having had leave in England.


“The aircraft burst into flames after crashing, and wreckage was strewn over a wide area. A.R.P. workers ran 2 miles to the scene of the crash and rendered what assistance they could. The disaster was investigated and it appears that the aircraft was flying at a minimum altitude with minimum visibility, and in attempting to descend after clearing a 645ft. hill, the aircraft was probably forced into the ground by turbulent weather. The aircraft also carried 13 Type B-4 bags and personal equipment. The aircraft was believed not to have been overloaded….” (Aircrew Remembrance Society. “Mission: Returning to France (A-35) Chateaudun.”)

 

Aviation Forum: “The report of the USAAF states the pilot to be Lt Donald Q Reid. Aircraft was flying in minimum vis and at minimum altitude when it struck a 645ft high hill. It was thought possible that a strong downdraft on the downward side of the hill may have contributed.”  (Aviation Forum. “USAAF C-47 Crash Near Brighton.” Tangmere1940. 2-28-2008. )

 

Aviation Forum: “On the 19th of November 1944, Aircraft 43-15046 crashed on a hillside in England. The ship was coming back to A39 carrying military personnel back from leaves. In the accident twenty-three (23) of our own squadron personnel perished and four (4) were injured. One Frenchman was killed and one injured and a Group Headquarters man was also killed in the crash. The disaster was investigated and it appears that the aircraft was flying at a minimum altitude with minimum visibility and that in attempting to descend after clearing a 645ft hill the aircraft was probably forced into the ground by the turbulent weather. The clearance showed that the aircraft had 30 personnel aboard including crew, 13 type B-4 bags and all personal equipment. Aircraft was not believed overloaded. List of men killed is included in history….Men of the squadron who were hospitalized:


Walter J. James, T/Sgt…Severe burns
Bryce D. Hacking, Sgt…Burns, Other injuries
Orazio R. Toglia, Sgt…
Eric Ackerman, Cpl….

 

“92nd Squadron Personnel Killed in Air Crash of ship 43-15046, 19th Nov, 1944.

1st Lt., Roy L. Gritz Pilot
1st Lt., Donald O. Reid Pilot
1st Lt., Stanley E. Lis Navigator
2nd Lt., Russell W. Barron Pilot

T/Sgt. John H. Young Crew Chief
T/Sgt. Howard F. White Crew Chief

S/Sgt. Donald S. Horstick Glider Mechanic
S/Sgt. James H. Holley Instrument Specialist
S/Sgt. Arthur M. Hackett Crew Chief

Sgt. Barbato C. D’Andrea Cook
Sgt. Joseph H. Alba Engineer
Sgt. Jake E. Hesser Glider Mechanic
Sgt. Felix R. Sobkowiak Baker
Sgt. William Hickson Engineer
Sgt. Sherman W. Miller Glider Mechanic
Sgt. Harold F. Mills Glider Mechanic

Cpl. Richard M. Jones Transportation Dispatcher
Cpl. Paul A. Kokko Engineer

Pfc. Charles W. Evanick Engineer
Pfc. Byron G. Peacock Refueling Unit
Pvt. Roland P. LaRiviere Transportation
Pvt. Frank R. Mixner Engineer  [22]

 

(Aviation Forum. “USAAF C-47 Crash Near Brighton.” Tom W. 2-28-2008. )

 

Aviation Forum: According to a relative of a survivor, in relation to a question about why the plane was flying so low, “he said that the electricity had gone out and although there were electricians on board they were not able to get it fixed. They did not have their lights to see the hill nor the equipment to know their height or direction.  I don’t know if there is any mention of this in any of the reports but that was about all he told us about it, that if they could have gotten it fixed the crash may not have happened.”  (Aviation Forum. “USAAF C-47 Crash Near Brighton.” Bad Day 8-25-2010.)

 

Aviation Safety Network: “….C/n /msn:  19512

“First flight:    1944

“Crew:             Fatalities:   5 / Occupants:   5

“Passengers:    Fatalities: 20 / Occupants: 25

“Total:             Fatalities: 25 / Occupants: 30….

“Location:       5 km (3.1 mls NE of Brighton

“Crashed into a cloud-shrouded hill in at a height of 600 feet (180 m).”[1] (Aviation Safety Network.  Accident Description. United States Army Air Force, Douglas C-47-80-DL, 1944, Nov 19, NE of Brighton (United Kingdom).)

 

Gero: “….15:10….43-15046…The crash of the twin-engine transport, which occurred approximately 3 miles (51(m) north­east of Brighton, claimed the lives of 25 servicemen aboard the aircraft, including its entire crew of five.  All the occupants were American except for two Frenchman, one of whom was among the five injured survivors.  After it had flown into a low overcast, the C-47 struck the east slope of a hill at an approximate elevation of 600ft (180m), explod­ing on impact. Ten miles (15km) from the scene of the accident, the weather was characterized by a ceiling of only 300 to 400ft (100-120m), a visibility of about half-a-mile (0.8km), heavy, intermittent rain and a south-south-westerly wind of approxi­mately 15 knots. The cause of the accident was not disclosed by US military officials.”  (Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 29.)

 

Newspaper

 

Nov 20: “London – (AP) — Twenty-six American soldiers were killed and four injured in the crash Sunday night of a C-47 Skytrain troop carrier enroute from England to France, Air Force Headquarters announced Monday….The Skytrain, a transport type that has carried thousands of men to battle, crashed near an 800-foot peak north of Brighton, in Southern England.  Six victims were taken to a nearby hospital, where two died and the others remained in serious condition.  ‘No cause has been fixed for the plane going out of control’ Air Force Headquarters stated’.”  (Paris News, TX. “26 U.S. Soldiers Killed in C-47 Crash En Route to France.” 11-20-1944, 1.)

 

Sources

 

Aircrew Remembrance Society. “Mission: Returning to France (A-35) Chateaudun.” Accessed 3-17-2012 at: http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/usaaf1944/Reid.html

 

Aviation Safety Network.  Accident Description. United States Army Air Force, Douglas C-47-80-DL, 1944, Nov 19, NE of Brighton (United Kingdom).  Accessed 3-17-2012 at: http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19441119-0

 

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999. 

 

Paris News, TX. “26 U.S. Soldiers Killed in C-47 Crash En Route to France.” 11-20-1944, 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=113098811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Cites Baugher and Gero.

1944 – Nov 18, USAAF B-24J Plane Crash 5M south of March Field, Riverside, CA  —     11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-15-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–11  Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V3, Aug 1944-Dec 1945, p. 974.

–11  Oakland Tribune, CA. “Eleven Die When Big Plane Crashes.” 11-19-1944, p. 1.

Narrative Information

 

Mireles: “At 1900, a Consolidated B-24J crashed five miles south of March Field, Riverside, California, killing 11 fliers. The air­plane had taken off from March Field on a bombing and gunnery mission. After successfully completing the mission, the airplane returned to the area of March Field and the pilot was instructed to fly around the local area at 12,000 feet. The pilot had reported to tower per­sonnel that he had had some overheating in one of his engines earlier in the flight but the trouble had cleared up and the engine was performing satisfactorily. Ap­proximately ten minutes later the B-24 was seen in a steep inverted dive, passing close to an airplane flying at 8,000 feet before smashing into the ground and exploded into flames. Investigators stated,

 

The aircraft went out of control at approximately 12,000 feet for an undetermined reason…. Examination of the wreck­age indicated that the aircraft had been in a spin when it struck the ground, in that the position of the wings indicated a rotating impact. The tail turret was thrown backwards from the rest of the wreckage and indicated that it had struck the ground with great force, probably caused by the aircraft striking in a nose-down, inverted position. It was also determined that the left elevator had disintegrated long enough before the crash for parts of fabric and ribs to have come off and land 1,800 to 2,000 feet away.”  (Mireles 2006. P. 974.)

 

Newspaper

 

Nov 18, Associated Press: “March Field, Nov. 18. – (AP) – Eleven persons were killed when an Army B-24 bomber, based her, crashed and burned tonight, five miles south of the field….” (Oakland Tribune, CA. “Eleven Die When Big Plane Crashes.” 11-19-1944, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

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.

 

Oakland Tribune, CA. “Eleven Die When Big Plane Crashes.” 11-19-1944, p. 1. Accessed 10-4-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=33495987

 

 

 

 

 

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