U S PLANES LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC IN WW II - VP NAVY USN USMC USCG NATS
1)51 U.S. ACFT LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC 1942
51 PLANES LOST IN 1942
The year 1942 was the period when thousands of planes made the southern Atlantic route via Natal and Takoradi in order to support the British garrison which was fighting desperately against Afrika Korps forces in Libya. General Montgomery's 8th Army was not defeated, but thanks to the US war effort to bring more than 5000 planes to Egypt via Natal, Ascension Island and Takoradi.
The following aircraft were lost in 42: 1 C-87 LIBERATOR EXPRESS - 6 B-26 MARAUDER - 1 VULTEE VENGEANCE - 1 B-25 MITCHELL - 3 OS-2U KINGFISHER - 2 A-30 BALTIMORE - 1 C-47 SKYTRAIN - 2 A-20 HAVOC - 3 PBY5-A CATALINA - 4 DOUGLAS A-28 HUDSON - 1 GRUMMAN GOOSE - 1 GRUMANN F4F-4 - 1 BOEING B-17 - 1 BEECHCRAFT F-2 - 21 CURTISS P -40 KITTYHAWK - 1 VOUGHT-SIKORSKI VINDICATOR - 1 DOUGLAS B-18 BOLO
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xx xx 42. MARTIN B-26-B MARAUDER BuNo 41-17546
17546 (95th BS, 17th BG, 12th AF) ditched from unknown cause near Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil while on ferry
flight sometime in 1942. Fate of crew unknown, aircraft was destroyed.
23 JAN 1942. DOUGLAS B-18 BOLO BuNo 37-1/33 13
13 (MSN 1874) W/O (written-off) Jan 23, 1942 at Essequibo River, British Guyana
28 JAN 42. VOUGHT-SIKORSKI SB2U-1 VINDICATOR BuNo 0759
0759 (VS-41) lost in South Atlantic from USS Ranger CV-4 Jan 28, 1942.
07 FEB 42. BOEING B-17E BuNo 41-2482
Crashed after take off from Parnamirim Airfield Natal.
The aircraft flying this route used several airports in Central and South America, the last one before the transaltantic flight being Parnamirim airfield near Natal, Brazil. It was there that on 7 February 1942 the B-17E 41-2482, attached to the Air Corps Ferrying Command, crashed on take-off. The plane was fully loaded with gasoline and and was totally destroyed. There was no survivor among the nine men aboard. Crew (all killed) 2nd Lt John Bradley Rush (pilot) 2nd Lt William Rawls Hogg (co-pilot) 2nd Lt Hubert Roland March (navigator) S/Sgt Harry E Sturgill (flight engineer) Cpl Kenneth Bernard Albert (air gunner, of 20th BS) Pvt James S Brock (radio operator) Pfc George M Sullivan (of 43rd BG) Pfc Joepsh Cecho Jr Pfc Robert M Baker (passenger)
16 FEB 42. VOUGHT-SIKORSKI SB2U-1 VINDICATOR BuNo 0751
0751 (VS-42) lost in South Atlantic Ocean from USS Ranger CV-4 Feb 16, 1942
19 APR 42. DOUGLAS C-49-H BuNo 42-38254
38254 DC-3-228 MSN 1993 ex NC18117 Pan American Airways) was operated by PAA Africa OCT 1941. Serialed Mar 14, 1942 and crashed Apr 19, 1942 Freetown, Sierra Leone.
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13824
13824 to RAF May 10, 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL256. Lost at South Atlantic enroute via Natal, Ascension Island
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13823
13823 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL255. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute to
Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13827
13827 to RAF as Kittyhawk IIA FL257 May 1942. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute to
Middle East
MAY 42 CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13819
13819 to RAF as Kittyhawk IIA FL253. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute to Middle East.
MAY 42. CURTIS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13820
13820 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL254 Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East.
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13815
13815 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL251. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
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MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13816
13816 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL252 Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13811
13811 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL249. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13812
13812 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL250 Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute to
Middle East FL250 struck off charge (SOC) Mar 8, 1944
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13803
13803 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL245. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13804
13804 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL246. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13800
13800 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL243. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13801
13801 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL244. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13795
13795 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL240. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13792
13792 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL239. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13787
13787 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL236. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13784
13784 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL235. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
MAY 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 13779
13779 to RAF May 1942 as Kittyhawk IIA FL232. Lost at South Atlantic via Natal, Ascension Island enroute
to Middle East
13 JUN 42. CONSOLIDATED PBY 5A CATALINA (BuNo 7252)
The Squadron first fatalities occurred during the final leg of the flight to Brazil when LtJg Skidmore’s Catalina encountered a severe thunderstorm, causing it to crash into the sea five miles northeast of Natal, Brazil, on his final leg into Natal. Only three of the eight crewmen aboard were rescued. It is beleieved that the pilot was caught in a downdraft. The power settings had previously been increased to over 70% rated power for the plane. The plane crashed into the water in a nose down atitude, possibly with one wing low. Most probable cause of accident was that the pilot was flying at a low altitude in heavy rain and rough air when he temporarily lost his horizon and glided into water.
The plane was a total loss and only three survived after 18 hours of floating on airplane’s debris. All VP-83 planes took off at 05:00 the following day, 14 June , to search for 83 P-12. LtJg Cooper found the wreckage and circled while the enlisted men survivors were taken aboard a Brazilian fishing boat. Crew killed: LtJg Chester Hugh Skidmore; ENS John Aloysius Madden Jr; ENS Sherman Fredrick Dixon, AMM2c John Albert Overberg; AMM3c Rudolph F. Jordon; ARM1c Charles Andrew Hladilek; and AMM1c Julian Almer Storkson. Survivors: AP1c Alvis Rennell Towsend; ACMM Walter M. Shaw, and AMM3c Ralph L. Moore Jr.
One of the survivors, AP1c Towsend, wrote a letter to his sister-in-law, Ms. Virginia Towsend, on 27 July 1941, about the experience: “And so it is, I am well on my way to recovery. I had 2 cuts in my head, one on left leg, & one on my right thigh, a hole between my shoulder blades, & last but the worst of the lot , a tear about 5” long wide & all the way through to my stomach on my back just over my kidneys. But God has been very good to me. Vi, I am well more or less now, there were bruises, cuts & scratches all over me but these were the worst. We got into bad weather about 18:00 on the 13th of June, at 18:10 I left the second pilots position & went back aft in the catwalk.
The WX continued to grow worse, and at 18:15 vis. was zero – we had about 150 miles per hour when we flew into the water down draft was the cause. 7 dead & 3 survivors, a Chief, myself & one passenger . We go to the wing – all that was afloat – no life belts on any of us & only one man could swim, of course I couldn’t because of the injuries. We were on the wings for 18 hours & then the planes found us, some native fishermen took us off the wing and to their village, then P.A.A (Pan American Airways, later just Pan Am) crash boat came for us and then to a Brazilian hospital & out to the station until Sunday a week ago.
20 JUL 42. LOCKHEED A-28 HUDSON BuNo 41-2391
Took off from Parnamirim Field Natal for a flight over the South Atlantic. Failed to establish communications. Searches were made but to no avail.
21 JUL 42. MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER BuNo 41-7418
7418 have gone to RAF in Africa as Marauder I FK140 but crashed enroute in Natal, Parnamirim Field, Brazil
Jul 21, 1942 due to engine failure
31 JUL 42. MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER BuNo 41-7371
To RAF in Africa as Marauder 1ª FK 368 Jul 13 1942. With 26th Ferry Squadron, 4th Ferrying Group, Aircraft transport command, lost Jul 3 1942 from unknown cause between Natal and Ascencion Island on ferry flight to RAF in Africa (MACR 15480). All four crew killed.
30 AUG 42. CURTISS P-40-C BuNo 41-13414
Crashed at Zandery Field, Surinam Dec 8, 1941. W/o (written off) 30 Aug 1942 at Zanderij Field, Suriname. Condemned
Nov 14, 1942.
26 SEP 42. CURTISS P-40C BuNo 41-13432
Written off 30 Aug 1942 at Zanderij Field, Suriname, condemned Sep 26, 1942
29 SEP 42. VOUGHT-SIKORSKI OS2-U3 KINGFISHER BuNo 5342
5342 (CL-5) attached to USS Milwaukee lost off Recife, Brazil Sep 29, 1942
06 OCT 42. CURTISS P40-F WARHAWK BuNo 14011
14011 to RAF as Kittyhawk IIA FL339 Jul 1942. Wrecked when undecarriage collapsed on landing at Takoradi
Oct 6, 1942
05 NOV 42. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo 5732
Bureau Number 5732. Squadron VCS-2. On 5 November 1942 this OS2U-3, stationed aboard USS Omaha (CL-4) was on a scouting mission when it suffered an accident at sea, resulting in requiring a major overhaul of the plane. The Pilot was J. W. Crowe; the Observer was J. R. Gilmore. The plane was repaired. From the November 1942 War Diary of Omaha: “5 November 1942. Catapulted planes at dawn. Had our first casualty with our new planes when Lt.(jg) Crowe made a bad landing for “Cast” recovery and plane capsized. Plane was landed out of the slick and not into the wind, which resulted in one wing float hitting the water and collapsing, the plane then inexorably assuming a “pontoon up” position.
Had some trouble turning to get into position to recover the floating plane, as the Osmond Ingram kept continually in the way for some unknown reason. Lying to, completely without protection, except for additional lookout afforded by our second plane which was aloft, was an uncomfortable feeling. The plane was back on board about 1 hour and 6 minutes after it capsized. Except for the dunking, it did not seem badly damaged, one crushed wingtip being the only outward sign of the mishap. Recovered our second plane at 1336 without incident.”
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired)
07 NOV 42. GRUMANN GOOSE AO-9 621 BuNo 38-570
Crashed in the jungle north of Boa Vista in Amazon region.
15 NOV 42. LOCKHEED A-28A-LO HUDSON BuNo 42-47159
47159 to RAF as Hudson VI FK603. DBR (damaged beyond repair) when overshot landing at Takoradi, Gold Coast
Oct 21, 1942
15 NOV 42. LOCKHEED A-28A-LO HUDSON BuNo 42-47155
47155 to RAF as Hudson VI FK599. Swung on takeoff and crashed, Hastings, Sierra Leone Nov 15, 1942.
21 NOV 42. DOUGLAS A20B-DL HAVOC BuNo 2732
2732 (MSN 5062) did not go to USSR under land lease, written off 21 Nov 1942 at Atkinson field British Guiana.
25 NOV 42. MARTIN B26-B MARAUDER BuNo 41-17843
17843 (17th BG, 95th BS) crashed into ocean during takeoff from Accra, Gold Coast Nov 25, 1942 while enroute
from USA. All 7 onboard killed.
26 NOV 42. LOCKHEED A-28A-LO HUDSON BuNo 42-47199
47199 to RAF as Hudson VI FK643. Destroyed by fire after stalling on takeoff from Accra, Gold Coast Nov 26, 1942.
29 NOV 42. MARTIN A-30 BALTIMORE BuNo 41-27722
27722 to RAF as Baltimore IIIA FA140. Ditched 20 miles north of port of Cabedelo, Paraiba, Brazil during
ferry flight Nov 29, 1942. Crew of 3 OK. The picture above has been reported as the one which crashed at
Cabedelo.
01 DEC 42. MARTIN B26-B2 MARAUDER BuNo 41-17937
17937 (17th BG, 37th BS) crashed enroute Dec 1, 1942 at Accra, Gold Coast.
06 DEC 42. VULTEE A-31 VENGEANCE BuNo AN 594
Crashed at the town of Esplanada Bahia.
09 DEC 42. CONSOLIDATED C-87-CF LIBERATOR EXPRESS BuNo 41-11707
11707 (MSN 203) W/Off 9 Dec 1942 at 255 miles from Ascension Island, ASI. 10 crewmembers lost.
12 DEC 42. MARTIN A-30 BALTIMORE BuNo 42-27730
To RAF as Baltimore III-A FA1-48. Crashed on take off at Accra, Gold Coast on ferry flight.
14 DEC 42. CONSOLIDATED PBY 5A CATALINA BuNo 7245
LtJg Hassel crashed at sea due to engine failure. While the majority of squadron aircraft were out looking for the missing aircraft, a British ship rescued the crew. Crew survived with some minor cuts and scrapes. Pilot LtJg Victor G. Hassel; ENS D. McKee; ENS Grover C. Rannever; AMM1c Russel K. Gerahofer; AMM3c James E. Duggan; AMMc2 G.Brownlee; AMM3c Merril E. Hewitt; AMM3c Robert L. Sexman; and S2c Robert L. Reyff.
15 DEC 42. BEECH F2 BuNo 40-682
Crashed at Itaparica Island in the vicinities of US NAF Aratu, Bahia.
18 DEC 42. MARTIN B-26B MARAUDER BuNo 41-17791
17791 (320th BG, 444th BS, 12th AF) missing at sea in South Atlantic Ocean Dec 18, 1942 while of ferry flight from
Ascension Island to Accra, Ghana. (MACR 15946). All Six crew killed
20 DEC 42. PBY-5A CATALINA BuNo 7244 VP-83
Attached to VP-83. (CAC c/n 242 seq no ab 002, hull Nº 396) Lost in Brazil 20 Dec 1942
25 DEC 42. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2N-1 KINGFISHER
28 DEC 1942. GRUMANN F4F- 4 MODEL G.36 (Manually folded wings) BuNo 11909
11909 (VF-26) attached to USS Santee ACV-29) lost off Trinidad South Atlantic Dec 28, 1942
31 DEC 42. NORTH AMERICAN B-25 C MITCHELL BuNo 41-12951
12951 wrecked 20 mi N of Lagos, Nigeria Dec 31, 1942 when crashlanded in lagoon.
