A sobering moment in Colorado

[GARY HILTON]

Heading to California a few days ago, I was traveling along a seldom used two lane hiway in south eastern Colorado. I was trying to follow along as close as possible to the historic Santa Fe Trail, this being the northern split of the trail, south-west of the old Bent's Fort. I saw a little rest area with an historical marker, that I find interesting. and being a little drowsey, I pulled over and noticed this plaque that was erected by someone unknown.

What a sad event....I said a little bit to the poor souls that perished on that day, gave my thanks as to what they did for me and my country. I hope everyone that passes this way takes the time to read each one's name in appreciation. RIP

[Pat Carry]

A very nice tribute. Thanks for posting it.

[TonyM]

Heading to California a few days ago, I was traveling along a seldom used two lane hiway in south eastern Colorado. I was trying to follow along as close as possible to the historic Santa Fe Trail, this being the northern split of the trail, south-west of the old Bent's Fort. I saw a little rest area with an historical marker, that I find interesting. and being a little drowsey, I pulled over and noticed this plaque that was erected by someone unknown.

What a sad event....I said a little bit to the poor souls that perished on that day, gave my thanks as to what they did for me and my country. I hope everyone that passes this way takes the time to read each one's name in appreciation. RIP

On a related note:

During WWII, nearly 15,600 AAF airmen lost their lives flying and training in the continental United States; over 7,100 airplanes were lost in over 6,350 fatal accidents.

There were on average six fatal Army Air Forces aviation accidents per day during 1943; 2,278 fatal Army Air Forces airplane accidents for 1943.

These numbers do not include USN, USMC, USCG, CAP and civilian losses during the war years.

TM

[wendovertom]

Here in Wendover we have a diary from the base Hostess - in it she recounts coming into the NCO club one morning and everyone was sober faced - 7 B-17s had a mid-air accident during formation flight - all crews lost - Sad reality of training that is often over looked I think.

Tom P.

[TonyM]

I wrote a book about stateside accidents and there is no Seven B-17 Mid-air I know of.

Triple B-17 mid-air at Havard, Nebraska, but no incident that involved seven B-17 airplanes at once--and all fatalities.

Got a date that this happened? Names of the people involved? Airplane serial numbers?

It would be hard to keep such an accident out of the paper trail.

My opinion.

TonyM.

[TonyM]

Gary Hilton,

Thanks for posting the story about the memorial.

There was one survivor of this mid-air collision--2Lt. Robert S. Clark.

Here is the summary concerning the accident that is the topic of this thread:

8-21-44A. Model, Colorado. At 1009 MWT, two Consolidated B-24J airplanes collided in mid-air and crashed two miles east of Model, Colorado, killing 18 fliers. Bombardier 2Lt. Robert S. Clark was able to parachute to safety from B-24J # 42-51517 and was uninjured. Killed in the crash of B-24J# 42-51517: 2Lt. Horace M. Jenkins, Pilot; 2Lt. Clair A. Clark, co-pilot; Capt. Royal J. Brock, B-24 instructor; Cpl. Francis J. O'Donahue, engineer; Cpl. Herbert J. Rogove, radio operator; Cpl. William A. Powell Jr., gunner; Pfc. Danile J. Reccio, gunner; Pfc. Luther C. Killinger, gunner; Pfc. William C. Joyce Jr., gunner. Killed in the crash of B-24J # 42-99946 were: 2Lt. Frank W. Adams Jr., pilot; F/O William J. Robbins, co-pilot; 2Lt. Clair E. Gates, bombardier; TSgt Albert J. Sermon, engineer; Cpl. Boyce E. Forester, radio operator; Cpl. Joseph L. Hartman, gunner; Pfc. Malcolm R. Crawford, gunner; Pfc. Morton Kaplan, gunner; Cpl. Carl E. Miller, gunner.

B-24J # 42-51517 was flying in the number-one (lead) position and B-24J # 42-99946 was flying in the number-three position of the high squadron of an eighteen-ship formation that had taken off from Pueblo Army Air Field, Pueblo, Colorado, on a routine high-altitude formation mission. The formation had climbed to an altitude of about 20,000 feet msl approximately 15 miles northeast of Trinidad, Colorado; the B-24 crews were waiting for a target towing aircraft for a scheduled gunnery exercise. While waiting for the target tow-ship, the formation leader began executing a series of shallow turns and mild evasive action maneuvers. A shallow turn to the right was commenced. B-24J # 42-99946 (number-three) overran his position in the turn and ended up flying abreast of B-24J # 42-51517 (number-one). Moments later, B-24J # 42-99946 turned to the rgiht in a steep (near vertical) bank and pulled up into B-24J # 42-51517. The port wing of B-24J # 42-51517 cut through the fuselage of B-24J # 42-99946 at about the camera hatch, severing 42-99946's tail. B-24J # 42-51517's port wing contined through 42-99946's fuselage and into the center section. The port wing folded backi toward the fuselage of 42-51517. The two airplanes then separated and 42-99946 exploded into flames, breaking into about five large pieces and several hundred smaller bits. The crewmembers of 42-99946 were ejected from the airplane as it broke up and cascaded to the ground. Many of the airmen were not wearing parachutes. After great difficulty, Lt. Clark parachuted to safety through the nose wheel well as B-24J # 42-51517 plunged to the ground in a diving slip to the left, exploding violently into flames upon impact. The bombardier stated that airspeed indicator in the nose section indicated approximately 350 mph when he exited the airplane.



See page 895, Volume 3,
FATAL ARMY AIR FORCES AVIATION ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1941-1945

TM

I am guessing that the Colorado Aviation Archaeology outfit put up that plaque. I could be wrong, but those guys would be my first guess. They are a great group of historians and aviaiton archaeologists and I was lucky to meet some of them this past spring at the North American Aviation Archaeology Summit, which was held in Broomfield, Colorado.

[whistlingdeath77]

wow, you really know your stuff

[GARY HILTON]

Thanks Tony, your work is well appreciated too. I have since heard that there was another B-24 crash not too far from this site as well. I believe you are right as to who erected the plaque as well....
There have been a few of these memorials that I have ran across..like the one I posted earlier of the crash (post WWII) in Flaggler, Colorado.....The B-17 crash memorial about 20 miles east of Yuma, AZ. It is on the east-bound rest area on I-8...and the B-24 memorial plaque in a park at Chappell, Nebraska on I-80...Been meaning to stop and get more pictures of these sites....
G

[Second Air Force]

There is a similar Memorial plaque just north of Laurel, Nebraska dedicated to two B-17 crews who died there after a mid-air collision.

Scott

[hurk130]

Very good post Tony!

I understand your post clearly now.

Now if we can figure out if that guy really punched out a general? LOL!

Kel

[Bluedharma]

Interesting post.