U S PLANES LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC IN WW II - VP NAVY USN USMC USCG NATS

4)29 U.S. ACFT LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC 1945

             29 PLANES LOST IN 1945

The year 1945 saw in the second semester a reflux of airplanes that returned from Europe with the end of the war. Around 20,000 aircraft have passed through Natal since mid-1942. From Guyanas to the African coast about 500 aircrafts were lost in the South Atlantic heading for airstrips in Liberia and Gold Coast.

The following aircraft were lost in 45: 1 PIPER GRASSHOPER - 3 B-26 MARAUDER - 3 OS-2U KINGFISHER - 4 PBY5-A CATALINA - 1 DOUGLAS SBD DAUNTLESS - 1 LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA - 6 GRUMMAN J2F DUCK - 7 DOUGLAS A-26 INVADER - 1 MARTIN PBM MARINER - 1 CESSNA UC-78 BOBCAT - 1 DOUGLAS C-54 SKYMASTER

17 JAN 45. CESSNA UC-78 BOBCAT BuNo 43-7407

7407 (MSN 4927) damaged in takeoff accident at Monrovia-Robertsfield, Liberia Jan 17, 1945

17 FEB 45. DOUGLAS A26C-25DT INVADER BuNo 43-22608

22608 (ATC) in ground accident at Parnamirin Field, Natal, Brazil Feb 17, 1945 while on ferry flight. All crew survived.  Aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.

18 FEB 45. VOUGHT-SIKORSKI OS2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo 09753

Bureau Number 09573.  To Royal Navy as Kingfisher I FN740.  The eleventh of 20 (out of the BuNos batch 09513-09582) delivered under Lend-Lease that were returned to the U.S. Navy.  Returned on 1 October 1943. Squadron VCS-2.  On 18 February 1945 this OS2U-3, now stationed aboard USS Cincinnati (CL-6) had completed a Spotting and Photographic flight in the Southern Atlantic when it suffered an accident requiring a major overhaul.  The Pilot was Lt.(jg) Samuel Newberg; the Observer was Donald R. Derby.  From the February 1945 War Diary of Cincinnati: “18 February 1945.  At 1200 recovered port plane; plane was seriously damaged in recovery due to mechanical failure of winch.”

Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired

12 MAR 45. MARTIN B26 B-4 MARAUDER BuNo 18012                      

18012 (Air Transport Command) missing over south Atlantic Ocean on ferry flight from Atkinson Field, British 
Guiana to Val de Cans Airfield, Belem, Brazil Mar 12, 1945.  5 crew missing. 

13 MAR 45. DOUGLAS A-26B-40-DL INVADER BuNo 39568

Crashed near Atkinson Field, British Guiana Mar 13, 1945.

14 MAR 45.  DOUGLAS A 26 D 25-DT INVADER BuNo 22687

22687 (ATC) collided in midair with A-26C 43-22688 20 mi NW of Atkinson Field, British Guiana Mar 14, 1945 while 
on ferry flight. Crashed during wheels up belly landing.  All crew survived, but aircraft was destroyed.

14 MAR 45. DOUGLAS A 26 25-DT INVADER BuNo 22688

22688 (ATC) collided in midair with A-26C 43-22687 20 MI NW of Atkinson Field, British Guiana Mar 14, 1945 while 
on ferry flight.  Able to land.  All crew survived.  Aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.

14 MAR 45. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2-N1 KINGFISHER  BuNo 01441 

Bureau Number 01441.  Squadron VCS-2.  On 14 March 1945 this OS2N-1, attached aboard USS Cincinnati (CL-6) was on a test flight when it suffered an engine failure and was forced to land in off the Brazilian coast where it was lost.  The Pilot was Lt.(jg) P. A. Schaack; the Observer was F. R. Phoere.  From the March 1945 War Diary of Cincinnati: “14 March 1945.  At 0907 catapulted port plane.  At 0920 catapulted starboard plane. At 1024, due to engine trouble port plane made a forced landing in water.  Increased speed to 20 knots to reach plane. At 1040 stopped all engines and lowered whaleboat into water to recover personnel.  AT 1047 pilot and passenger  recovered, no injuries.  At 1112 recovered starboard plane.  At 1150 extent of damage to plane too severe to  recover.  All possible equipment was salvaged.  At 1253 sunk damaged plane by gunfire.”

Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired) 

17 MAR 45. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5A CATALINA BuNo 46525

On 17 March 1945 VPB-45's Lt Soehner completely demolished this PBY-5A during a night take-off from Wideawake Field, Ascension Island. The take-off was on an authorized operational mission from Ascension Island. 1380 gallons of gasoline and four 350-lb Mk. 41 depth charges were aboard. The wind was blowing 16 knots from 159 degrees magnetic; the runway being used for take-off was 139 degrees magnetic.

The cross wind was apparently not corrected for and the plane drifted toward the left side of the runway as he continued down the take-off run. Slightly beforre becoming airborne the port wing-tip struck a 15-foot vertical embankment on the left side of the runway. The outer eight feet of the port wing folded back, the plane climbed the embankment and then cartwheeled over it, landing on its back. Three bombs were thrown clear.

The fourth remained in the wreckage but did not explode. The plane was completely demolished.  Crew killed: Pilot Lt Walter Herman Soehner, USNR; Lt Frank O. Warner, A-V(N) USNR; ENS S. Rodney A. Rice, A-V(N) USNR; RM3c Dick West; and RM2c Lionel H. Delacroix. Survivors: ARM2c George A. Sharkey; AOM1c Dolon L. Lack; and AMM3c John C. Curtis. 

29 MAR 45 LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 49561

On 29 March 1945 this VPB-126 PV-1 was at NAF #119 (Natal, Brazil) when it was involved in taxi accident 
(the pilot hit a parked aircraft). The plane was damaged but the crew was unhurt. 

10 APR 45. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 6634

On 10 April 1945 VPB-203’s LtJg Bentley and crew in this PBM-3C were refueling the aircraft while tied to a buoy on the Amazon River just off NAS Belem, Brazil, when the bowser boat that was refueling the plane caught fire and exploded, destroying it and the plane. No aircrew were hurt although a Standard Oil Company employee and a Brazilian Army enlisted man were declared missing Pilot LtJg F. Bentley Jr.

10 APR 45. DOUGLAS A26 B- 15-DT INVADER BuNo 43-22375          

22375 while returning from France experienced fuel starvation 90 mi E of Sao Luiz, Brazil and belly landed  
on a beach. Crew located and apparently survived.

15 APR 45. MARTIN B-26G 25-MA MARAUDER BuNo 44-68173

68173 (Air Transport Command) crashed from unknown cause at Belem, Val de Cans Airfield, Brasil Apr 15, 1945 
while on ferry flight. Unknown number of crew killed, aircraft was destroyed by fire.

10 MAY 45DOUGLAS C-54 SKYMASTER BuNo 43-17176

17176 (MSN 18376/DO150) delivered to USAAF Oct 18, 1944. Crashed (DBR) damaged beyond repair with 1159th AAFBU May 10, 1945 at Georgetown - Wideawake Field on Ascension Island with fatalities. 

31 MAY 45. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5A CATALINA BuNo 7259

7259 (CAC c/n 257 seq no ab 017, hull #426) (FAW-16) Struck off Charge (SOC) Recife, Brazil May 31, 1945

10 JUN 45. GRUMANN J2-F5 DUCK BuNo 00740

00740 assigned to COMFAIRWING 16 lost off Recife, Brazil, Jun 10, 1945

25 JUN 45. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2U-3 KINGFISHER  BuNo 09407

Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired) 

26 JUN 45. DOUGLAS A-26B INVADER BuNo 43-22387

Crashed at NAF Pici Field, Fortaleza, Brazil.

26 JUN 45. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5A CATALINA BuNo 46600

On 26 June 1945 this VPB-73 PBY-5A was at NAS San Juan, PR, and made a bad landing at Ascencion Island (Wideawake Field); the plane was Struck OFF Charge (SOC)

28 JUN 45. DOUGLAS A-24B-15-DT DAUNTLESS BuNo 42-54739

54739 w/o (written-off) at Natal-Parnamirim, Brazil Jun 28, 1945.

01 JUL 45. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5 CATALINA BuNo 08355

VPB-63 was to be decommissioned on 2 July 1945 and all aircraft were being flown back from Port Lyautey, French Morocco, to tehe United States via Liberia, AscensionIsland, and South America. On 1 July 1945, at Atkinson Field, British Guiana, this PBY-5 crashed on take-off. Take-off started into the wind at approximately 06:22, with Lt Moone at the controls and LtJg O’Brien as co-pilot operating the throttles. As the plane rose onto the step, it started turning to the left. At this time; personnel after noticed water leaking into the bilges from the seams on the port side of the hull, between #5 and #6 bulkheads. An attempt was made to notify the piloto f this condition by interfone, but the ICS was inoperative.

The pilot then turned the plane further to the left to avoid another aircraft in the near vicinity of the take-off course. The plane had now turned 130 degrees out of the wind. As the plane reached the speed of 60 knots it lifted into the air and settled back in the water. It was the impacto f this bounce that probably cause the bottom of the hull from # 7 bulkhead rupture. The rush of the water into the living compartment, knocked ENS Dicken, who was lying in the port bunk, against the #6 bulkhead,causing him serious injuries and schock. Bolsinger, who was seated in his back to the #6 bulkhead, was knocked to the deck and received minor lacerations.

ENS Richardson  seeing the water in the plane, reached into the cockpit and pulled the throttle to the closed position. The pilot and co-pilot, still unware of the damage, pulled full back on the yoke to keep the nose from digging in, Lt Moone simultaneously turned off the magnetos, stopping the engines. The crew prepared to abandon the plane before it sank in 42 feet. The crew was rescued by crash boat. Crew: Pilot Lt Elmer Duncan Moone, USNR; Co-Pilot LtJg William James O’Brien, USNR; ENS Loring Rufus Richardson, USN; ENS Elmer Henry Deeken, USNR; snf 5 others unhurt.

04 AUG 45. PIPER O-59A GRASSHOPPER BuNo 42-36685

36685 (MSN 8809) 6th Air Force; 37th AWD; crash landed Atkinson Field, British Guiana 4Aug45

31 DEC 45. GRUMMAN J2F-6 DUCK BUNo 36945

36945 stricken by the USN at Manaus, Brazil on Dec 31, 1945

31 DEC 45. GRUMMAN J2F-6 DUCK BuNo 36947

36947 stricken by the USN at Manaus, Brazil on Dec 31, 1945

31 DEC 45. GRUMMAN J2F-6 DUCK BuNo 36948

36948 lost off Riak in southwest Pacific May 28, 1945. Also listed as stricken by the USN at Manaus, Brazil 
on Dec 31, 1945 

31 DEC 45. GRUMMAN J2F-6 DUCK BuNo 36999

36999 stricken by the USN at Manaus, Brazil on Dec. 31, 1945

31 DEC 45. GRUMMAN J2F-6 DUCK BuNo 37011

37011 stricken by the USN at Manaus, Brazil on Dec. 31, 1945

FOLLOWING PAGES ON THE SAME ARTICLE

1)51 U.S. ACFT LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC 1942

2)139 U.S. ACFT LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC 1943

3)118 U.S. ACFT LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC 1944