Mission 644

B-24 serial 42-99949, assigned to the 328th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, was lost on the mission of 21 September 1944 due to a mid-air collision over Belgium. While forming in light clouds, this aircraft (referred to as ship 'C' by the surviving crew of the other plane) was observed flying erratically and at one point approached the lead ship so closely that evasive action was taken. The aircraft began climbing at the Belgian coast and then disappeared into contrails. The tail section of this aircraft was struck by the nose of another B-24 during the collision. A report from 145th Wing Headquarters, R.A.F., and a report by Captain R. A. Pelletier, 400 Air Liaison Section, 1st Canadian Army, stated that 8 bodies completely burnt were found in the aircraft, including one front gunner still in position. The aircraft crashed approximately 1/4 mile from the other plane involved in the collision. Pieces of the aircraft were found in France (and Belgium) two days after the incident. Bodies were counted to verify the total crew. Burial of victims was made at Flanders Field American Cemetery on 24 September 1944. The fuselage of the other aircraft involved was completely demolished from the nose section to the waist windows.

B-24J serial 42-99949, nicknamed 'Naughty Man' (with a Warga Girl drawing on the side), was assigned to the 328th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, based at Hardwick. On 21 September 1944 the aircraft departed Hardwick on an operational mission to Koblenz, Germany. At approximately 1256 hours, at coordinates 50 53N 03 18E at 16,000 feet over Belgium, the aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision while forming up in clouds. The nose section of 42-99949 struck the tail assembly of another B-24 (plane 'C', flying in the 3-3 position). The collision sent 42-99949 into a left bank and then into an unrecoverable spin. Pilot Lt. Johnson was thrown half out of his seat and unable to open the escape hatch. He was flung clear when the forward bomb bay door opened under his weight. The radio operator escaped through a large hole in the nose section. The aircraft crashed and two bombs exploded on the ground. The fuselage from the nose section to the waist windows was completely demolished. Four crew members did not survive: the tail gunner (found half out of his turret), the bombardier, the waist gunner (both found at the rear escape hatch), and the navigator and nose gunner (found near the nose section). The other B-24 involved in the collision (plane 'C') crashed approximately 1/4 mile away. Unmatched crew (not in DB): Johnson Everett (pilot, RTD).

B-24J serial 42-99949, nicknamed 'Naughty Man' (with a Warga Girl drawing on the side), was assigned to the 328th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, based at Hardwick. On 21 September 1944 the aircraft departed Hardwick on an operational mission to Koblenz, Germany. At approximately 1256 hours, at coordinates 50 53N 03 18E at 16,000 feet over Belgium, the aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision while forming up in clouds. The nose section of 42-99949 struck the tail assembly of another B-24 (plane 'C', flying in the 3-3 position). The collision sent 42-99949 into a left bank and then into an unrecoverable spin. Pilot Lt. Johnson was thrown half out of his seat and unable to open the escape hatch. He was flung clear when the forward bomb bay door opened under his weight. The radio operator escaped through a large hole in the nose section. The aircraft crashed and two bombs exploded on the ground. The fuselage from the nose section to the waist windows was completely demolished. Four crew members did not survive: the tail gunner (found half out of his turret), the bombardier, the waist gunner (both found at the rear escape hatch), and the navigator and nose gunner (found near the nose section). The other B-24 involved in the collision (plane 'C') crashed approximately 1/4 mile away. Unmatched crew (not in DB): Johnson Everett (pilot, RTD).