On take off, one aircraft, of the 534th BS, piloted by Lt John Houston lost an engine at 10,000 ft.  Returning to the field he made three attempts to land which were unsuccessful due to poor visibility. Following the third attempt he lost a second engine and attempted to land in a field ½ a mile east of the base. The ship was  set down successfully and after about 200 yards rolled into a railroad cut.

The pilot was thrown free of the ship and walked the road where he was picked up and brought to the station sick quarters by ambulance. The co-pilot was thrown free of the ship and dragged to safety by a 7th Station Complement Sqd. man.

There was a minor explosion followed by two major explosions about two minutes apart. Ambulances were dispatched to the scene of the accident and the co-pilot was brought back to sick quarters. Reconnaissance resulted in picking up of remains of seven bodies, only one of which could be identified by dental identification method. The aircraft was completely destroyed. The Toonerville Trolley from Great Yeldham will not run for several days due to destruction by 500 lb bombs. Four 500 lb bombs were being carried by the aircraft and the balance of the load were 2 lb incendiaries.

The pilot, 2nd Lt John L. Houston, received the following injuries: Burn, 1st and 2nd degree, leg and thighs, bilateral, wrists, bilateral, face mild. Wound, mild, right infra orbital region. Wound, lacerated, right supra orbital region. Sprain, ankles, bilateral, moderate severe. Shock, post traumatic, mild.

The co-pilot, 2nd Lt William M. Scruggs Jr, suffered the following: 1. Burns, 2nd degree, hand, bilateral. 2. Burn, 1st and 2nd degree, face. Abrasion, cornea, right moderate severe. 4. Possible fracture of left femur and trochanter or neck. Both officers were taken to the 121st Station Hospital, Braintree.

S/Sgt Kenneth L. Sparks, waist gunner, was identified by means of dental identification....

The following named crewmen...could not be identified  in any way whatsoever. Their remains were gathered and taken to the American Military Cemetery, Cambridge, by Lt Fick. They were: 2nd Lt Gerald J. Sullivan (N); 2nd Lt James A. Walmesley (B); T/Sgt Donald B. Murray (ETTG); S/Sgt Robert A. Benward (ROG); S/Sgt Lloyd S. Jackson (BTG); S/Sgt William M. Cusick (TG). 

            ... content edited by me for its clinical nature.