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B-24 42-100320

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Ivo de Jong
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B-24 42-100320

Hello,
I am looking for information on the crash of B-24J 42-100320. The a/c crashed in late March 1944 in England, presumably in the vicinity of Old Buckenham. There is no Aircraft Accident Report or MACR available for this loss. No crewmembers are known to have lost their lives.
Any information on the crew, the crash location or circumstances are most welcome
Thanks in advance,
Ivo de Jong 
vic-513
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Re:B-24 42-100320 (permalink)
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Ivo,

From what I gather from "Ted's Travelling Circus", there were two planes that collided on 29 March !944. One was 42-100320 GO A of the 328th Squadron was salvaged. There is definite mention of the pilot, but reading between the lines, it must have been Lt Robert L McFetrich. This crew was composed of McFetrich, Lt Harry Cassel, (CP) William H. Lowry, (N), Sgt Clifford E. White, (TT), Carl J. Mead, (RO), Orland J. Watson and William R. Bloom, gunners. There were buried in American Military Cemetery, Cambridge. James A. Blood and James E. Scanlon, gunners, survived.
The other plane (no serial number listed but I will try to ferret it out) was piloted by Chester D. McKinster fo the 330th Squadron. Killed along with McKinster were Lt. Robert M. Trask (CP), Robert J. Poe (B), Earl J. Norris, (N), Sgts Herman B. Larosn, (TT), William J. Franke, Stephen Remias, Steve T. Klovis, Thomas O. Byrd, all buried in American Military Cemetery, Cambridge. Only Keneth L. Guerney (RO) survived.
This happened duing the forming up over Halesworth, Suffolk for a N0-Ball mission to Watten. Ironically, the mission was recalled.
There were 20 civilians killed and 53 injured, Halesworth's most costly air crash.
Children in a nearby school had been drilled to find cover under their desks and had plane engines, propellers and broken bodies falling all around them.

Vic

Vic Walzel, brother of 1st Lt Leland H. Walzel, bombardier with the 93rd Bomb Group, 330th Squadron. KIA 6 March 1944 on his 25th mission.
www.lelandwalzel.150m.com
Ivo de Jong
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Re:B-24 42-100320 (permalink)
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Thanks for your reply Vic.
The two aircraft involved in the tragic collision were 41-28590 (McFetridge crew) and 42-110033 (Makinster crew).
42-100320 was definitely lost in another incident. Not necessarily on March 29, it could be on March 30th, 31st or even April 1st.
It is rather mysterious!
Cheers,
Ivo de Jong
 
 
vic-513
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Re:B-24 42-100320 (permalink)
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Ivo,
 
I did a little further (and better) research and you are correct about McFetrich's plane and serial number. 42-100320 did crashland on 29 March 1944, but no mention of where or anything about the status of the crew. "Ted's Travelling Circus" doesn't mention this incident at all. Sorry for the mistake on the serial number in the earlier post.
 
Vic

Vic Walzel, brother of 1st Lt Leland H. Walzel, bombardier with the 93rd Bomb Group, 330th Squadron. KIA 6 March 1944 on his 25th mission.
www.lelandwalzel.150m.com
Ivo de Jong
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Re:B-24 42-100320 (permalink)
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Hello Vic,
No problem!! The reason for the loss of 42-100320 is rather mysterious.
I hope that somebody with access to the Group or Squadron records may find a reference to it.
Kind regards
Ivo de Jong
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