Crash location - B-24H 41-28747 466BG 12.8.44

[BC]

Hi all:
Yes, I know I asked about this one in Aug 2009, but I'd like to make one final appeal for any info on the possible location of the crash. "Gruesome Goose" 6L-B target was an ammunition dump at Mourmelon-sur-Marne. The B-24 failed to return and MACR #7911 has "Nothing known".

Jan Hey MBE states that all the crew were found and buried at Madingley. Engineer T/Sgt James T BASS was buried in Plot DD-6-21, which from the known dates of death of casualties buried adjacent must have been in March-May 1946.
However, the remains of the other 9 crew members were buried in a "Group Grave" in Plot S-6-5, in other words they could not individually be identified. The burial of these 9 took place in early December 1944. The 9 received a final burial post-war in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri, USA.

If as was suggested in 2009, the crash was in the "English Channel" after flak damage, and the B-24 went into the water, why were the collective remains of 9 men buried four months later, and the 10th over a year later ?

I'd be very interested to hear whether anyone can shed any new light on this puzzling incident ? As Jan said "I fear it will be a tough nut to crack".

TIA,

BC

[RSwank]

It looks like the place of death given for the pilot, Phillip R Hammond, is "Rheims" (Reims?) , France according to this link.

http://www.cfmf.net/honoree_details....loradoHomeTown

[BC]

Thanks, that is interesting. One possibility which we may have overlooked is that the B-24 could have crashed close inshore on the FRENCH side of the Channel and the remains returned to the UK for burial.

BC

[RSwank]

Have you requested the Individual Deceased Personnel File (293 File) for James T Bass and possibly for Phillip R Hammond? I would think you might find some information there. There would be fees involved if you are not next of kin.

http://www.armyairforces.com/ResearchHelp.aspx

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Might be of use .
The other a 44BG B24 lost this day in the macr report has mention in a letter from a surviving crew member who ask's why was it that they only had som 900 gallons of fuel instead of the 2500 that they should have had. Three crew were KIA.
This a/c made an emergency landing and rest of crew were taken pow.
Alex

[BC]

Gentlemen, thank you for your comments. I'll pass this on to Jan Hey MBE so he can pursue it if he wishes.

It will be interesting to see if we can finally lay this one to rest.

Regs,

BC