Oct 44
History > Statistical Data > Missing Air Crew Reports
This was a time of rebuilding the 445th Bomb Group after the disaster at Kassel. New crews and aircraft were sent to Tibenham from the other groups of the 2nd Air Division. The Group suffered several casualties among crew members on operational missions, but the only loss for the month came on a training mission on a stand-down day. On Oct 31st, thirty B-24's took to the air on a routine formation practice mission. When they had assembled, only 29 planes showed up - one was never heard from again. Other pilots reported icing conditions as they climbed out through the overcast skies, and it's suspected that icing caused the plane to stall and spin into the water so quickly, there wasn't time to make a mayday call.
Years later a TV series called "History's Mysteries" would feature a segment about a lost diary belonging to the co-pilot of the plane lost on that training mission being returned to the family; to the daughter who was born while he was away in England. In the diary he wrote about his love for his wife and how excited he was to meet his little girl.
MACR # | Date | Tail Number | Pilot | Cause |
10160 | 31 Oct 44 | 44-40294 | 1st Lt Edward J. Speers | Unknown, probably icing; 8 MIA |