Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Boliviana de Aviación

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Indian Air Force - Bharatiya Vayu Sena

The crew departed Sulur AFB, Tamil Nadu, on a training mission. En route, weather conditions deteriorated and the pilot-in-command decided to gain altitude when the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain shrouded in clouds and located in the region of Palakkad. All ten crew members were killed.

Transportes Aéreos Mexicanos - TAMSA

After takeoff from runway 10, while climbing to an altitude of 300 feet, the pilot made a turn to the left heading 65° then continued climbing for about 400 to 600 feet when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion in the Calle 54 Sur Street, about two km north of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed, among them the Mexican Actor and Singer Pedro Infante who was acting pilot on this flight. A kid on the ground was also killed.

Linea Aérea Ala de Chile

The aircraft left Iquique at 0840LT bound for Santiago with 15 passengers and a crew of four. Upon landing at Los Cerrillos Airport in Santiago, the aircraft banked right, causing the propeller of the engine number four to hit the runway surface. The airplane swerved on runway and the pilot-in-command elected to counteract but the aircraft veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the right main gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in a grassy area. All 19 occupants were evacuated safely while the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair.

British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC

An undercarriage failed upon landing at RAF Heathfield. The aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Scottish Airlines

On final approach to Liverpool-Speke Airport, the aircraft hit two candelabrum, stalled and crashed short of the runway threshold. All four crew members were slightly injured while the aircraft was written off. The crew was performing a cargo flight with a load of milk.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Enroute, both left engines (number one and two) failed. The captain lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the Celebes Sea but was able to report his exact position. On scene, the crew of 'HMS Opposum' was able to evacuate eight wounded people while two others were killed. Crew (23rd Squadron): W/Cdr J. Handbury, pilot, W/O F. Welsh, copilot, F/Lt P. Mathews, navigator, † W/O C. McKenzie, wireless operator, W/O W. Nesbitt, radar operator, W/O R. Smith, flight engineer, F/Sgt D. Norton, flight engineer, Cpl E. Pye, fitter. Passengers: Cpt J. McFadden, Lt J. Potten. †

United States Navy - USN

Hit the slope of a mountain located near Kisarazu, killing all eight crew members. The aircraft was a PB4Y-1 version but delivered from the USAAF to USN with a B-24 Liberator serial number.

British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC

While cruising along the east Canadian coast, the crew informed ATC about severe icing conditions and obtained the permission to divert to Charlottetown Airport. The aircraft passed the runway threshold at a height of 7 meters and then stalled and crashed in flames on the runway. The copilot was killed while 13 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

While flying in a thunderstorm, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a hilly terrain. All five crew members were killed. It appears there were severe turbulence in the area at the time of the accident.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

While flying in a thunderstorm, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a hilly terrain. All five crew members were killed. It appears there were severe turbulence in the area at the time of the accident.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Shortly after takeoff from Agana-Harmon Field, in initial climb, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames about 2 km from the airport. All eight occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were good. Crew: S/Sgt Andrew G. Macro, 1st Lt John E. Schmidt 6.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The nose gear collapsed on landing. The aircraft skidded on runway and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after takeoff from Blackbushe, while in initial climb, the engine number two caught fire. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located 2 miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 23 occupants were killed. All of them were Czech citizens being repatriated to their country at the war's end, among them 5 kids. Crew (311th Squadron): P/O Jaroslav Kudlácek, pilot, W/O Antonin Broz, copilot, P/O Karel Rybnícek, navigator, F/Sgt Zdenak Sedlák, flight engineer, F/O Bohumil Vaverka. Passengers: Ruzena Lichtensteinová, Marta Obrazová, Marina Paulinyová Michal Richter, Anna Rosenblumová, Jiri Rosenblum, Antonie Šafranek, Eva ŠafrankovÁ, Otto Schwarz, Ladíslav Spbeslavsky, Margita Sobeslavská, Marenka Sobeslavská, Ota Trinks, Irma Trinksová, Helena Wodaková, Greta Žaldová, Helena Žaldová. Source: https://fcafa.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/blackbushe-5-october-1945/

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The crew was performing a training mission from Amberley when he encountered problem with a propeller. From the ground, it appeared to everyone else that the problem was rectified satisfactorily and after completing a circuit of the airfield, the pilot advised that he would be returning to land but kept losing height until the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed 8 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 5 occupants were killed. Crew (99th Squadron): Lt G. A. Hendy, pilot, F/O R. F. Pullin, copilot, F/Sgt V. J. Quinn, navigator, Sgt Dureau, wireless operator, F/O J. H. Mutton. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was performing a flight from Naha, Okinawa, no the airbase of Nichols, in the suburb of Manila. Enroute, while flying away from a cyclone in marginal weather conditions, the four engine aircraft christened 'Liquidator' hit the slope of a mountain located in the Seaboard Mountain Range, northeast of Taitung, Taiwan. All 25 occupants, among them PoW recently released by the Japanese troops, were killed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was performing a mission to drop special agents and supplies when, overflying the drop zone at a too low altitude, the aircraft christened 'Snake' hit trees and crashed in a dense wooded area. The wreckage was found in 1996 in an isolated area. All eight crew members have been killed. Crew (356th Squadron): F/Lt John Selwyn Watts, pilot, F/O Edward Donald Mason, copilot, F/O William Kenneth Dovey, navigator, Sgt Jack Blakey, flight engineer, F/Sgt William Ross, air gunner, F/Sgt Raymond Arthur Towell, air gunner, F/O John Trevor Bromfield, bombardier, F/Sgt Arthur Turner, radio operator.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Crashed during takeoff from Amberley Airfield. Unfortunately the B-24 Liberator's brakes were applied too soon before the aircraft was safely in the air. As a consequence the nose of the aircraft dipped heavily into the runway causing the nose wheel assembly to collapse and also shearing the hydraulic lines for the engine controls. The aircraft subsequently skidded off the south east end of the runway into a 60 feet deep gulley and broke in half. Crew (99th Squadron): S/Ldr William Lloyd Milne, pilot W/O Eric Ferdinand Carlson, copilot, † F/Sgt Jack Grant Watson, flight engineer, F/Sgt Marcel Kingsley Doolan, radar operator, F/Sgt Warwick Manning Lane, air gunner, F/Sgt Andrew Keith Cochrane, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt Allan Charles Annetts, air gunner, F/Sgt Arthur Henry Clausen, navigator. † Passengers: Sgt John Raymond Slennett Sgt John Knyvett Cpl Jacqueline Ruth Row, † Cpl Edith Tansley Sharpe, † Acw Ruth Beryl Burcher, LAC Waterman James Albert LAC William Angus Ludbey, AC1 Keith William Carlier, LAC Douglas Charles Mighell, LAC Leslie Arthur White, LAC Mervyn John Edward Thornberry. Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/qld245.htm

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The crew departed Pitu Airfield (Morotai Island) at 0800LT to attack Japanese antiaircraft positions located in Lolobata, on the neighboring island of Halmahera. As the aircraft failed to return at the end of the day, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended three days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. Crew (21st Squadron): F/O Jack Bonfield Faviell, F/O William Joseph Stubbs, F/O Douglas Poultney Dewhurst, W/O Bruce Vaughton Peach, F/Sgt Neville Herbert Playford, F/Sgt Ronald Jack Walker, Sgt Gordon Malcolm Scott, F/Sgt Robert William Delahunt, F/Sgt Aubrey Edward Burgess.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew departed Wheeler AFB at 0836LT on a local calibration mission. At that time, weather conditions were marginal with a ceiling at 2,000 feet and light rain. While flying around the airbase, the aircraft christened 'Evelyn' went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in Schofield Barracks, about a mile northwest of the airfield. All 12 crew members were killed. Crew: Sgt Abraham H. Albert, Sgt Elmo L. Engman, 1st Lt John Franco, Cpt William D. Frostic, S/Sgt William G. Gilliland, Sgt James P. Hinchsliff, 1st Lt Kenneth C. Kinne, Sgt Robert E. Krueger, S/Sgt Stephen P. Medovich, S/Sgt Hubert P. Miller, 1st Lt David A. Moyer, 1st Lt Russell E. Reeves Jr.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The aircraft was involved in a reconnaissance and photographic mission over Indonesia. While approaching the Balikpapan area, the bomber was hit by enemy fire and crashed in flames. It appears that nine crew were killed instantly while three others were taken PoW and died later. Crew (24th Squadron): F/Lt Kenneth John Hanson, pilot, W/O Alfred Cook, copilot, Sgt Arnold Alexander Lockyer, P/O George Grey Lindley, F/Sgt William James Maxwell, F/Sgt Stephen Patrick Cloake, F/O John James Oliver Hume, F/Sgt Frank Grainer Vincent Hutton, F/Sgt John Victor Orgill, F/Sgt Brendan Michael Heslin, F/Sgt Charles Neville Nichol, Cpl John R. Waite.

Royal Air Force - RAF

At 0915LT, six Liberators of AFTU took off from Amarda Rd Airfield to carry out a navigational exercise in formation. At approximately 0945LT, the formation, which had been encountering medium to bad weather, approached a heavy bank of cloud. The leader, S/Ldr Heynert, commenced to lose height in an attempt to fly underneath this, but reached the cloud before he was quite low enough and the formation entered the cloud. Number 6 by this time was some little way behind the formation. On entering the cloud visibility was reduced to nil and numbers 2 and 5 in the formation altered course starboard and number 4 altered course port. On coming out of the cloud aircraft number 1 (EW225) and aircraft number 3 (EW247) captained by PO Herbert, were seen to be in close proximity, and number 3 was then seen to pull up and collide with number 1. The tail unit of number 1 was torn off and the aircraft crashed out of control, and one wing (which one not established) of number 3 was torn off, causing the aircraft to crash. Crew: F/O Alfred Herbert, pilot, F/O Peter Hubert Ash Smith, navigator and bomb aimer, F/Sgt Cyril William Geeson, flight engineer, W/O William Joseph Smart, wireless operator and air gunner, AC1 George William Paffey, AC2 P. V. Mathai. Source: http://www.rquirk.com/amarda/26July45storyV6eb.pdf

Royal Air Force - RAF

At 0915LT, six Liberators of AFTU took off from Amarda Rd Airfield to carry out a navigational exercise in formation. At approximately 0945LT, the formation, which had been encountering medium to bad weather, approached a heavy bank of cloud. The leader, S/Ldr Heynert, commenced to lose height in an attempt to fly underneath this, but reached the cloud before he was quite low enough and the formation entered the cloud. Number 6 by this time was some little way behind the formation. On entering the cloud visibility was reduced to nil and numbers 2 and 5 in the formation altered course starboard and number 4 altered course port. On coming out of the cloud aircraft number 1 (EW225) and aircraft number 3 (EW247) captained by PO Herbert, were seen to be in close proximity, and number 3 was then seen to pull up and collide with number 1. The tail unit of number 1 was torn off and the aircraft crashed out of control, and one wing (which one not established) of number 3 was torn off, causing the aircraft to crash. Crew: S/Ldr Félicité Pierre André Heynert, pilot, P/O Raymond Maurice Bullen, pilot, F/O Robert Stanley Manson, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Lt Alexander Norman Borrow, navigator and bomb aimer, P/O Lewis Arnold Bridgman, wireless operator and air gunner, F/O Peter Ettlinger, flight engineer, F/Lt Sydney Wilfred Wells, navigator and bomb aimer, F/Sgt Walter Reginald George Wood, air bomber. Source: http://www.rquirk.com/amarda/26July45storyV6eb.pdf

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The Liberator was one of many aircraft that following the end of the war in Europe was being used to take aircrews back to the United States. The aircraft were typically approaching the end of their useful lives but only had to make it across the Atlantic. The aircraft had taken off from RAF Valley on Anglesey bound for Meeks Field in Keflavik. When the aircraft nearing the southern end of the Isle of Skye, the port outer engine caught fire. It would appear that the fire could not be brought under control, as when the aircraft crossed the coast, the port wing outboard of the number one engine broke away. As the wing fell, it struck the tail section, causing it to separate from the aircraft before the plane dived into a hilltop and exploded. All 14 occupants were killed. Crew: 1st Lt William H. Bell, pilot, 1st Lt Theodore E. Lundell, copilot, 1st Lt Albert L. Harmonay, navigator, T/Sgt Svend E. Hansen, flight engineer, S/Sgt Robert R. Bisbing, radio operator. Passengers: F/O Edward Grzesiek, F/O George W. Baker, F/O Stephen A. Fenwick, F/O Marvin Fleak, 2nd Lt Arthur A. Vogel, F/O Eldon E. Eads, F/O Edward J. Ruszala, F/O Wilbur L. Titus, F/O Newton D. Stanley. Source: http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/scotland/scotland41-29369.htm

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

Few minutes after takeoff from Tofino Airport, while flying at an altitude of 2,800 feet in low visibility due to clouds, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 7 miles east southeast of Bamfield, in the Somerset Range. The wreckage was found for days later (July 17) in an isolated area and all 14 occupants were killed. Crew (11th Squadron): F/O W. E. Davies, pilot, F/O R. J. Martello, F/O N. M. Popovich, F/O H. A. Lowe, W/O V. C. Crosson, W/O J. B. Presse, F/Sgt D. W. Hope. Passengers: Sgt Bennett, Cpl N. W. Johnson, Cpl W. Hrysko, Cpl N. Johnston, LAC R. B. Kitely, LAC L. H. Tull, LAW M. Mann.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

While approaching Balikpapan, the four engine aircraft was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire (probably from a Japanese Navy ship parked in the Balikpapan harbor) and crashed in an isolated area. The wreckage was found several hours later and all 12 occupants have been killed. Crew (24th Squadron): S/Ldr John Robert Walter Redman, F/Lt Victor Skinnerrex, W/O Harold Allan Gooding, F/Sgt Leslie Rogers, F/Sgt James Ogilvie Ross Vickers, P/O Martin Allan Burrows, F/Sgt Ronald Michael Cornelius, F/Sgt Frederick Leslie Rollings, F/Sgt Patrick Fraser Stanley, F/Sgt Roy Tapper, F/Sgt Harold Shadforth 1.

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

The crew was engaged in a local training mission and was authorized to line up on runway 18. For unknown reason, the captain lined up on runway 12 and started the takeoff roll despite the fact he did not receive any permission. Another RCAF Consolidated B-24J Liberator (registered KG880 and carrying a crew of four) was taxiing on runway 12 to reach its parking place. The Liberator KH107 collided with KG880 while taking off. Both aircraft exploded and were totally destroyed. On board KG880, a crew member survived while three others were killed. On board KH107, six crewmen were killed while five others were seriously injured. Crew killed in KH107 were: P/O T. Batley, pilot, P/O A. K. Allen, copilot, F/O G. W. Morris, navigator, Sgt A. C. Suggate, wireless operator and air gunner, P/O P. F. Gunter, bomb aimer, Sgt R. H. Avery, wireless operator and air gunner. Crew killed in KG880 were: F/Lt J. A. Sinclair, pilot, Sgt J. E. Thomas, copilot, Sgt J. W. Murphy, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

The crew was engaged in a local training mission and was authorized to line up on runway 18. For unknown reason, the captain lined up on runway 12 and started the takeoff roll despite the fact he did not receive any permission. Another RCAF Consolidated B-24J Liberator (registered KG880 and carrying a crew of four) was taxiing on runway 12 to reach its parking place. The Liberator KH107 collided with KG880 while taking off. Both aircraft exploded and were totally destroyed. On board KG880, a crew member survived while three others were killed. On board KH107, six crewmen were killed while five others were seriously injured. Crew killed in KH107 were: P/O T. Batley, pilot, P/O A. K. Allen, copilot, F/O G. W. Morris, navigator, Sgt A. C. Suggate, wireless operator and air gunner, P/O P. F. Gunter, bomb aimer, Sgt R. H. Avery, wireless operator and air gunner. Crew killed in KG880 were: F/Lt J. A. Sinclair, pilot, Sgt J. E. Thomas, copilot, Sgt J. W. Murphy, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

While approaching Balikpapan, the heavy bomber was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire and crashed into enemy territory. All 14 crew members were killed. Crew (24th Squadron): F/Lt R. McD. Beattie, pilot, F/Lt A. M. Andrews, copilot, Cpl R. W. V. Robinson, flight engineer, F/Lt H. Stroud, navigator, F/Lt T. Hockings, navigator, F/Lt D. W. Willett, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt D. G. Featherstone, air gunner, F/Sgt L. R. Sapwell, air gunner, F/Sgt L. W. Devereux, air gunner, F/Sgt A. J. Hogg, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt K. Patten, air gunner, F/Lt K. R. Harrison, Cpt H. W. Spry, W/O F. B. Emanuel.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

While flying off Balikpapan, the heavy bomber was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire from a Navy ship. The aircraft went out of control and dove into the sea. Seven crew members were able to bail out and survived while four others were killed. Crew (21st Squadron): G/C McLean, † F/Lt Roy, † W/O Bardwell, † Sgt Martin, † F/Sgt A. J. Stuart 6.

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

Immediately after liftoff, while in initial climb, the pilot raised the undercarriage. The aircraft banked left and hit the runway surface, causing the propeller on the engine number one to be sheared off. The aircraft climbed to a height of 50 feet when it stalled and crashed in flames on the runway. Six crew members were killed while five others were injured. Crew killed were: F/O Derrick William Southwell, pilot, F/O John Albert Winkley, pilot, F/Sgt George Edward Chappell, flight engineer, Sgt Allan Thomas Furness, air gunner, Sgt Geoffrey Frank Buers, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Ivor Ralph Platt.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The aircraft was returning to the US from Prestwick, with an intermediate stop in Keflavik. While overflying Ross and Cromarty, crew encountered unknown technical problems and the aircraft lost height until it struck the slope of Mt Slioch (981 meters) located near Gairloch. All 15 occupants were killed. Crew: T/Sgt Hillburn L. Cheek, S/Sgt Raymond E. Davis, S/Sgt Emil Einarsen, S/Sgt John B. Ellis Jr., S/Sgt Robert J. Francis, S/Sgt Eldon J. Gilles, S/Sgt John H. Hallisey, S/Sgt James D. Harvey, S/Sgt Alexander W. Hastings, 1st Lt Jack B. Ketchum, S/Sgt Albert L. Natkin, S/Sgt Herman Riefen, 2nd Lt Richard J. Robak, 1st Lt Jack H. Spencer, T/Sgt James C. Stammer.

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

The crew departed Abbotsford Airport at 0906LT on a local training mission. Thirty-four minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 4,000 in marginal weather conditions, the crew proceeded to a fix point when the aircraft hit the slope of Welch Peak located east of Chilliwack. The wreckage was spotted on June 16 but first rescuers arrived on the scene four days later, on June 20. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 11 crew members were killed. Crew (5th OTU): Sgt Stanley Aldridge, Sgt Albert Eric Broadbent, Sgt John Randall Dale, Sgt William Peter Watt Drummond, Sgt Isaac Gibbons, Sgt James Leonard Gordon Hammond, F/O Arthur William David Hill, Sgt David Robertson Langlands, P/O Gilbert Ewart Ellis Long, Sgt Graham Murray, Sgt William Thomas Swatton. Source: http://www.bansteadhistory.com/Memorial/2_H_KK241 Liberator Crew.html

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances off the north coast of Borneo, killing all 11 crew members. Crew (200th Squadron): F/Lt Keith Roy Norman Emmett, F/Lt Ernest Frederick Theyer, F/Lt John Oswald Graham, F/O Reginald Lee Taylor, F/Lt Rodney Nelson Walker, W/O Ralph Proudlock, W/O Phillip Hector Cormack, F/Sgt Owen William John Davern, Sgt Lawrence James Starr, W/O Ernest Travers Shorter, F/Sgt John Colin William Anderson.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Taking off at night from Truscott airstrip the aircraft became airborne approximately halfway down the strip. It is believed the aircraft became airborne early due to a noticeable hump in the airstrip causing the aircraft to suddenly climb approximately 20 feet. According to the witnesses who were part of a working party directly in front of the aircraft when it became airborne, the aircraft apparently veered left moving rather slowly, gaining little speed or height. The aircraft then rose to about 40 feet and then fell sharply to the ground a short distance away from it's initial point of take off. With fire crews quickly making their way to the scene any hope of finding survivors was lost when a number depth charges the aircraft was carrying exploded. Crew (12th Squadron): F/Lt F. L. Sismey, pilot, F/O W. S. Bell, W/O T. N. Rust, W/O B. L. Cox, F/Sgt L. Duncanson, F/Sgt L. M. Bailey, F/Sgt I. N. L. Eadton, F/Sgt T. W. Allan, F/Sgt D. D. Benson, F/Sgt J. A. Hollis, F/Sgt J. R. W. Herps. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Crashed in the region of Dili while performing a reconnaissance mission. Failed to return to its base and no trace of the aircraft nor the 15 occupants was found. Crew: F/O A. Clark, pilot, F/O G. M. Manning, copilot, F/O T. T. Biltoft, F/Lt H. R. Campbell, F/O H. J. Clark, F/O H. A. J. Jones, F/Lt J. W. Rice, F/O L. J. Brown, F/Sgt C. A. R. Gamble, Sgt H. Riley, Passengers: Lt A. F. Wilkins, Sgt K. H. Bell, Cpl A. L. Lilya, Cpl J. A. Nicol, Sgt K. M. Marshall.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Departed Angaur Airfield to attack Japanese positions on Koror Island. While approaching the target, the aircraft christened 'Brief' was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire and was hit between the engine number two and the fuselage. The left wing detached, causing the aircraft to dive into the ground and to crash. A crew member survived while ten others were killed. The only survivor was later executed by Japanese soldiers. Crew: Sgt Floyd C. Bennett, 2nd Lt Irving R. Brown, 2nd Lt Glen R. Custer, 2nd Lt Norbert J. Giese, Cpl Richard E. Grimes, 2nd Lt Wallace F. Kaufman, Cpl Albin D. Rynkiewicz, Cpl Robert N. Shillenn, T/Sgt James R. Tenney, Cpl Irving Topp, Cpl Victor B. Wilson.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Alaska. Crew fate remains unknown.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Leuchars at 2011LT on a patrol mission over Kattegat, taking part to the battle for freedom of Denmark. To avoid German radars, the captain decided to overfly Denmark at low height. In low visibility due to the night, the bomber hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area located in Årestrup. All 11 crew members were killed. Crew (206th Squadron): Lt Cdr N. Guilonard, pilot, P/O W. T. H. Gale, flight engineer, F/O A. J. Harding, navigator, W/O G. H. Topcliffe, navigator, F/Lt P. S. L. Laycock, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt F. R. Orritt, wireless operator and air gunner, W/O W. W. Spencer, wireless operator and air gunner, W/O T. K. Theaker, wireless operator and air gunner, W/O G. C. K. Long, air gunner, W/O K. Emery, air gunner, F/O A. R. T. Smith.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Enroute, the heavy bomber hit the slope of Mt Plukkutjonnfjell located in the Snåsa district. The aircraft was destroyed and all 12 crew members were killed. Crew (492nd BG): F/O Arthur H. Barbknecht, 2nd Lt Richard A. Bosch, 1st Lt Leon Dibble Jr., 1st Lt William H. Hudson, Sgt Gilbert L. Magruder, Sgt Angelo Santini, Sgt Fayette Shelledy, Sgt Jack H. Spyker. NORSO Group Members: 1st Lt Baine E. Jones, Cpl Robert N. Anderson, Sgt Knut J. Falck, Tec Bernard N. Iversen.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The crew was on his way to attack Japanese positions. While overflying the Sawoe Sea at low height, the heavy bomber was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea. 9 crew members were killed while two others were injured. Crew (24th Squadron): F/Lt Eric V. Ford, pilot, W/O C. G Vickers, copilot, F/Lt L. D. Crowther, navigator, Sgt W. W. Sayer, flight engineer, F/Lt W. Laing, bombadier, F/O R. T. Jordon, wireless operator and air gunner, W/O A. N. Collins, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt K. J. White, air gunner, F/Sgt L. Raine, air gunner, F/Sgt J. M. Waddell, air gunner, F/Sgt L. Faichnie, air gunner.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The crew was on his way to attack Japanese positions. While overflying the Sawoe Sea at low height, the heavy bomber was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea. 10 crew members were killed while W/O K. R. Schilling survived as he bailed out before the crash but was badly injured. Crew (24th Squadron): F/O S. L. McDonald, pilot, P/O K. A. Brown, copilot, F/O P. A. Mouatt, navigator, Sgt W. J. Wignall, flight engineer, A. G. Worley, bombadier, W/O K. R. Schilling, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt L. K. Walnsley, air gunner, F/Sgt J. A. Thomas, air gunner, F/Sgt R. J. Banks, air gunner, F/Sgt T. E. Bowen, air gunner, F/Sgt T. A. Davis, air gunner.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances in a field located in St Ola, southeast of Kirkwall. A crew member was seriously injured while 13 other occupants were killed, among them six members of the Norwegian Special Forces. Crew: 2nd Lt Charles J. Allessio, T/Sgt Trygve Berge, Sgt Eugene J. Graf Jr, S/Sgt E. E. Kjelness, Sgt Edward W. Kussman, S/Sgt William E. Lewis Jr., Tec Leif E. Meland, Tec Gerald Ottersland, 2nd Lt Henry L. Polansky, Tec Johannas S. Rorvick, 2nd Lt Frederick William Smickle Jr., Tec Eddie O. Sondeno, Sgt William K. Stevens.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The undercarriage collapsed on landing. The aircraft skidded for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The heavy bomber left Truscott AFB at 0650LT on a bombing mission over Bali and Lombok. Shortly after takeoff, the crew contacted the tower to inform that he encountered problems to gain height. Several distress calls were sent and 23 minutes later, the aircraft crashed into the Vansittart Bay, off Truscott. All 12 crew members were killed and only three bodies were found. Crew (24th Squadron): S/L N. H. Straus, pilot, F/Sgt Boyd, copilot, F/Sgt R. M. Morris, flight engineer, F/Lt C. D. Parry-Okenden, navigator, F/O R. A. Whiting, navigator, F/O J. W. Hursthouse, wireless operator and air gunner, W/O W. R. Flanagan, wireless operator and air gunner, W/O H. G. Parker, air gunner, F/Sgt J. R. Ryan, air gunner, F/Sgt A. J. Rogers, air gunner, Sgt A. D. Whitehead, air gunner, Cpl D. W. Madden.

United States Navy - USN

The crew left Jacksonville-Towers Field NAS on a radar bombing exercise over the Bahamas. The radio operator informed ground about his position, about 60 miles west of Andros Town. This was the last message. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. It is believed the aircraft crashed into the sea between Andros Island and Florida.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Shortly after takeoff from Venosa AAF, while climbing, a life raft deployed accidentally in the cabin, went through the left door intentionally let opened and hit the port stabilizer. The captain ordered his crew to bail out and three of them were able to abandon the aircraft before it crashed in a field located 13 km northeast of Spinazzola, about 25 km east of Venosa. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and seven other crew members were killed. Crew: 1st Lt Erwin W. Bussick, navigator, † T/Sgt Richard H. Callaham Jr., flight engineer, † 1st Lt William Craven Jr., † Maj Philip Edward Cummings, pilot, † S/Sgt Aloysius F. Gasiorek, † 1st Lt Glenn Wilson Jones, copilot, † S/Sgt Mike J. Kovich, air gunner, † T/Sgt George Kavanaugh, radio operator, S/Sgt Richard Peath Ball, air gunner, Lt Argie Simmons, bombardier

Royal Air Force - RAF

Swerved on landing, lost its nose gear and came to rest. All crew members escaped unhurt but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

The crew was engaged in a mission consisting to bomb bridges over the Isarco - Albes railroad, in the region of Bolzano. In flight, the aircraft was hit by the German Flak and the captain left the combat area and elected to fly to Trieste to ditch the aircraft. Eventually, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Adriatic Sea, off Grado. All 11 crew members were killed. Crew: 1st Lt Howard Hanson, pilot, S/Sgt Albert L. Acampora, 2nd Lt Edward H. Betz, T/Sgt Lawrence W. Brady, S/Sgt James S. Cox, 2nd Lt Clarence L. Dragoo, 2nd Lt Darrell E. German, 2nd Lt Richard M. Horwitz, S/Sgt Thomas M. McGraw, T/Sgt Lawrence F. Nally, S/Sgt Adolph Turpin.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

While performing a flight from RAF North Pickenham to RAF Burtonwood, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Black Hameldon located near Burnley. Eight occupants were killed while three others were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed. Crew (854th Bombing Squadron): 1st Lt Charles Albert Goeking, pilot, 2nd Lt George H. Smith, copilot, † 1st Lt Frank E. Bock, navigator, † T/Sgt Howard E. Denham, flight engineer, † T/Sgt Leslie E. Johnson, radio operator. Passengers: 2nd Lt Joseph B. Walker III, † 2nd Lt Elmer R. Brater, † F/O Gerald Procita, † F/O David A. Robinson, † Sgt Randolph R. Mohlhenrich, † Sgt Robert D. Hyett.