[BC]

Hi all:

I've been asked to try to find out what I can on a USAAF B-24 which crashed (supposedly) in the area of Maidstone, Kent in early to mid-Oct 1944. Source of the inquiry is a member of the Holton Airfield Memorial Museum (HAMM) on behalf of the pilot, Will Plate.

Will transferred from the 489th Bomb Group at Holton to the 87th Transport Squadron, 302nd Transport Wing at Chipping Ongar. He states they were returning from a "Truckin" mission to France and descended through low cloud to ascertain their position. He then claims they hit a hill 650 ft ASL and crash-landed. None of the crew were killed or seriously injured and they were apparently looked after by servicemen from an "RAF Officer cadet camp" (sic) until ambulances arrived to take them to hospital.

Now I know Kent is bumpy in places, but not up to 650 ft. Can anyone please help me to sort out where this incident occurred and what the ID of the B-24 was?

TIA for any assistance.

BC