42-94963 OF 791 BS and Lt Sefca Martin Jr

[Alexander]

Hello,

I'm looking after some information about the circumstances of the accident of the 42-94963 on the 25 of December 1944 at A-92 (Saint-Trond, Belgium). Pilot was 1 Lt Sefca Martin Jr, co-pilot was 2nd Lt Hanks Weldon M. Both are buried in Belgium and I don't have the names of the other crew members.....
I can't also find any reference to an accident report...can somebody help me???
Thanks and greetings from Belgium,

Alexander

[Leendert]

Alex,

Story here: http://www.the467tharchive.org/libraryshelftwo.html

Scroll down to 25th December 1944.

B-24 made crash-landing at St Trond (St Truiden), ran off runway and caught fire, killing both pilots 1st Lt Martin Sefca and 2nd Lt Weldon M. Hanks.

Groet,

Leendert

[Alexander]

Hello Leendert,

Thanks for the information. I suppose that the other crewmembers baled out after the enemy aircraft attacked them....
Greetings,

alexander

[BC]

I am familiar with this mission as I did some research into 467BG B-24 42-50675 "Bold Venture III" which was in the same formation that dayflew back with nobody on board and crashed in Vowchurch, Herefordshire, UK.

The 467BG History 1 Dec - 31 Dec 1944 says:

"Lt Sefca's plane landed in France (sic) but swerved and crashed into a parked aircraft resulting in the death of the pilot and co-pilot and injury to two men."

"Dec. 25 Mission to Musch. A/C B-24H 42-94963. 791st B. Sq. KIA

1st Lt Martin Sefca, Jr. 0-807790 Skancatales, N.Y.
2nd Lt Weldon M. Hanks 0-825849 Inka, Miss.

Crash landed at Le Trond (sic) Belgium."

Nothing much else to add except Lt Sefca's B-24 was in the high right squadron over the target when the fighter attacks came in.

Hope it helps !

BC

[Alexander]

Thank you BC!

Alexander

[wwIIgal]

I started to research this crash myself a couple of years ago and could not find a lot of information. My Father, was part of the Sefca crew, however he was in the infirmary with Pneumonia on December 24 when Lt. Sefca crashed. He never got over the loss of his fellow crewman. I have pictures of the original Sefca crew and possibly those who were on board during this mission. I probably also have pictures of the plane if you are interested.

[Alexander]

Hello WWIIGal,
I've send you a PM!
Regards,
Alexander