44-67913 K9-S Martin B26G-15-MA Marauder 344 BG 494 BS near Wavre (Belgium) damaged by a P47 during a mid-air collision on 18 June 1945

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,


1Lt.Carl Mack Hagle (O-805442) was flying simulated instruments at 4 000 ft, on the south leg of the Brussels radio range. He did not have a hood up, but merely had his seat fully lowered. F/O.Charles T.Wallace (T-131328),the co-pilot, observed four unidentified P47’s making a pass at the aircraft and just as he was about to call the pilot’s attention to them they felt a jolt. Examination of both the vertical stabilizer and rudder showed that about 12 inches of each had been cut off. The P47’s making the pass were unidentified. Attempts to trace their identify have been unsuccessful. The damaged B26 immediately returned to base, Florennes A78 (at 11h25).The entire crew was safe. The other crewmembers were : 1Lt. Austin McMahon (O-2070297, bomber navigator), S/Sgt.John Yankoski (15339533, engineer gunner), F/Sgt. Euart F.Witt (34792801, radio operator gunner) and Sgt. Edwin Conrad Steckman (19207689, gunner).


Any additional information available ?

Many thanks in advance !


best regards


Luc