U S PLANES LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC IN WW II - VP NAVY USN USMC USCG NATS
2)139 U.S. ACFT LOST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC 1943
139 PLANES LOST IN 1943
07 JAN 43. LOCKHEED A-28A-LO HUDSON BuNo 42-47134
47134 to RAF as Hudson VI FK578. Flew into ground after night take off from Takoradi, Gold Coast Jan 7, 1943
08 JAN 43. OS2N-1 KINGFISHER BuNo 01387
Bureau Number 01387. Squadron VCS-2. On 8 January 1943 this OS2N-1, also stationed aboard USS Memphis (CL-13) and enroute to Gambia was out on a scouting mission when it suffered an engine failure and was forced to land at sea at 030 20’S, 0210 53’W. The plane was lost. The Pilot was S. H. Stearns; the Observer was J. W. Govier. From the January 1943 War Diary of Memphis: “8 January 1943. Plane No. 01387 crashed while landing for “Cast” recovery. No injury to personnel. USS Somers (DD-947) sank plane by gunfire.” Kingfisher officially stricken 31 January 1943.
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired)
08 JAN 43. GRUMMAN TBF-1 AVENGER BuNo 05952
05952 (VGS-20) attached to USS Santee (ACV-29) lost enroute to Recife, Brazil in central Atlantic Jan 8, 1943
10 JAN 43. CONSOLIDATED B-24D-15-CO LIBERATOR BuNo 41-24091
24091 (MSN 886) W/o (written-off) 10 Jan 1943 at Accra, Goldcoast
10 JAN 43. BELL P-39D-1-BE AIRACOBRA BuNo 41-38229
38229 crashed at Wideawake Field, Ascension Island Jan 10, 1943. Pilot killed.
11 JAN 43 GRUMMAN F4-F4 WILDCAT BuNo 11939
11939 (VGS-29) attached to USS Santee (ACV-29) lost off Recife in south Atlantic Jan 11, 1943
15 JAN 43. DOUGLAS C-54 SKYMASTER BuNo 32939
32939 (MSN 3114) leased to TWA. Crashed near Zandery Airfield, Paramaribo Jan 15, 1943.
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18 JAN 43. CONSOLIDATED C-87-CF LIBERATOR EXPRESS BuNo 41-11708
11708 disappeared off Brazilian coast Jan 18, 1943 while enroute from Accra, Ghana to Natal, Brazil. 26 missing.
18 JAN 43. CURTISS P-40F-5-CU WARHAWK BuNo 41-14401
14401 W/o (written-off) 18 Jan 1943 at Robert Field, Liberia; condemned Jan 27, 1943
20 JAN 43. DOUGLAS A20B-DL HAVOC BuNo 41 - 3361
3361 (MSN 5691) lost on Jan 20, 1943 during ferry flight from Atkinson Field British Guiana to Brazil
21 JAN 43. DOUGLAS SBD DAUNTLESS BuNo 06567
06567 (VC-29) attached to USS Santee (ACV-29) lost enroute to Recife in south Atlantic Jan 21, 1943
21 JAN 43 DOUGLAS SBD-3 DAUNTLESS BuNo 6587
6587 attached to Santee VC 29 lost in South Atlantic.*
21 JAN 43. CURTISS P-40F-5-CU WARHAWK BuNo 41-14403
14403 W/o (written-off) 21 Jan 1943 at Accra, Goldcoast; condemned Jan 27, 1943
27 JAN 43. MARTIN A-30 BALTIMORE BuNo 41-27693
Lost after take off from Parnamirim Field Natal. To RAF as Baltimore IIIA FA111. Crashed with 503rd BS, 346th BG at
Pirangi do Norte, Brazil Jan 27, 143 before delivery to RAF.
06 FEB 43. GRUMMAN TBF-1 AVENGER BuNo 06035
06035 VGS-29 (VC-29) hard landing off Recife, Brazil on USS Santee (ACV-29) Feb 6, 1943. Stripped for parts and SOC (struck off charge) Feb 15, 1943.
06 FEB 43. GRUMANN TBF-1 AVENGER BuNo 06037
VGS-29 attached to USS Santee (CVE-29) lost off Recife, Brazil Feb 6, 1943 Crew missing.
07 FEB 43. GRUMMAN F4-F4 WILDCAT BuNo 11990
11990 (VGF-29) the tail hook was not down and crashed through barriers into SBD-3 06563 NW of Ascension Island Feb
7, 1943. Pilot unhurt.
08 FEB 43. CURTISS P40-K-15-CU WARHAWK BuNo 42-10400
10400 (MSN 21784) was to have gone to Brazil, but forcelanded at Paramaribo, Surinam Zandery Airfield during ferry
flight. Condemned Feb 8, 1943.
08 FEB 43. CURTISS P40-K 15-CU WARHAWK BuNo 42-10409
10409 (MSN 21793) was to have gone to Brazil, but forcelanded at Cayenne, French Guiana during ferry flight. Condemned Feb 8, 1943.
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09 FEB 43. MARTIN A-30 BALTIMORE BuNo 27747
27747 to RAF as Baltimore IIIA FA165. (Damaged Beyond Repair) DBR when bellylanded at Accra, Gold Coast after
undercarriage failed to lock down Feb 9, 1943.
15 FEB 43. GRUMANN TBF-1 AVENGER BuNo 06035
VGS-29 (VC-29) hard landing off Recife, Brazil on USS Santee (ACV-29) Stripped for parts and SOC Feb 15, 1943
16 FEB 43. FAIRCHILD PT-19A BuNo 41-14697
Crashed at Recife. To Brazil Sep 7, 1942. Missing condemned inventory Jan 1, 1945.
16 FEB 43. DOUGLAS C-47-DL BuNo 41-38581
38581 (MSN 4530) to USAAF Jul 19, 1942 - Operated by Pan American Airways Jul 22, 1942 - Accra Dec 28, 1942.
W/o (written-off) Feb 16, 1943 in forced landing near Takoradi, Ghana. Cancelled Cairo Nov 30, 1945.
18 FEB 43. DOUGLAS A20B-DL HAVOC BuNo 41 - 3422
3422 (MSN 5752) Written off w/o Feb 18, 1943 at Recife, Brazil.
19 FEB 43. LOCKHEED P-38 G BuNo 42-13113
Written Off 19 Feb 1943 at Marajo island some 80 miles NW of NAF Belem.
23 FEB 1943 CURTISS P-40C BuNo 41-13409
41-13409 W/O (written-off) 23 Feb 1943 at Waller Field, Trinidad, condemned Feb 23, 1943
26 FEB 43. DOUGLAS SBD-4 DAUNTLESS BuNo 06874
VS-16 Lost in South Atlantic.
26 FEB 43. MARTIN A-30 BALTIMORE BuNo 41-27916
27916 to RAF as Baltimore IIIA FA334. Crashed before delivery to RAF, at Wideawake Field, Ascension Island during ferry flight Feb 26, 1943.
27 FEB 43. NORTH AMERICAN B-25C-5 MITCHELL BuNo 42-53461
53461 crashed 18 miles South of Cayenne, French Guiana Feb 27, 1943.
03 MAR 43. DOUGLAS A20B-DL HAVOC BuNo 41-2794
2794 (MSN 5124) did not go to USSR, written off Mar 3, 1943 at Agarau, state of Parana, Brazil.
03 MAR 43. CONSOLIDATED B-24 D LIBERATOR BuNo 41-40091
(Ferrying Group, ATC) crashed 3 mi W of Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil Mar 3, 1943. All 5 onboard killed. Condemned
Mar 17, 1943.
03 MAR 43. DOUGLAS A-20C-10-DO HAVOC BuNo 42-33271
33271 to USSR (ntu);(not taken up) w/o (written-off) 3 Mar 1943 at Atkinson Field, British Guyana
03 MAR 43. NORTH AMERICAN B-25C MITCHELL BuNo 42-53450
53450 crashed near Sinnamary, French Guiana Mar 3, 1943.
06 MAR 43. MARTIN B26 B-4 MARAUDER BuNo 41-17989
17989 (Air Transport Command) in landing accident at Wideawake field, Ascension Island, South Atlantic Mar 6, 1943 while on ferry flight. All crew survived, but aircraft was destroyed.
06 MAR 43. LOCKHEED A-28A-LO HUDSON BuNo 42-47150
47150 to RAF as Hudson VI FK594. Destroyed by fire when swung during takeoff and undercarriage collapsed, Hastings,
Sierra Leone Mar 6, 1943
07 MAR 43. DOUGLAS A-20B-DL HAVOC BuNo 3487
3487 (MSN 5817) did not go to USSR, w/o Mar 7, 1943 at Wideawake, Ascencion Island
12 MAR 43. MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER BuNo 41-18021
18021 (Air Transport Command) lost 90-100 mi NE of Paramaribo, Surinam Mar 12, 1943 while on ferry flight from
Atkinson Field, British Guiana to Belem, Brazil. Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 15713. All 5 crew killed. Crew was
from 477thBS, 335th BG, 3rd AF, which was a training group.
13 MAR 43. BOEING B-17 F-40-BO BuNo 42-5203
Delivered Cheyenne Oct 8, 1942; Salina Feb 9, 1943; assigened MTO 12AF departed Atkinson, British Guiana on ferry trip
to Belem, Brazil, disappeared with no trace Mar 13, 1943; (10KIS); condemned Mar 30, 1943.
15 MAR 43. MARTIN B-26 B-4 MARAUDER BuNo 41-17993
17993 (Air Transport Command) in takeoff accident at Atkinson Field, British Guiana Mar 15, 1943 while on ferry flight to 320th BG. All crew survived, aircraft was salvaged May 15, 1943.
20 MAR 43. DOUGLAS A-20 C HAVOC BuNo 42-33330
33330 lost over South Atlantic 23 km NNW of Trairi, Ceara Brazil Mar 20, 1943. 3 killed. Missing Air Crew Report (MACR)
15479.
21 MAR 43. DOUGLAS A20 C-10-DO HAVOC BuNo 42-33328
Crashed at Zandery Airfield Paramaribo, Surinam 33328 written-off (W/o) 21 Mar 1943.
25 MAR 43 MARTIN B 26 B-4 MARAUDER BuNO 18030
18030 (313th Ferry Squadron) lost from unknown cause over Atlantic Ocean while of ferry flight from Atkinson Field, British Guiana to Val de Cans Airfield Belem, Brazil Mar 25, 1943. MACR 15507. All 5 crew killed.
26 MAR 43. MITCHELL B25 D-5 BuNo 41-30145
30145 Written off 26 Mar 1943 at 250 miles from Val de Cans Airfield, Belem, Brazil.
29 MAR 43. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2N-1 KINGFISHER BuNo 01513
Bureau Number 01513. Squadron VCS-2. On 29 March 1943 this OS2N-1, stationed aboard USS Omaha (CL-4) had completed its scouting mission and in coming back aboard Omaha suffered an accident in which the plane was lost at 120 42’S, 0210 11’W in the Southern Atlantic. The Pilot was Lt.(jg) George C. Rockwell; the Observer was AMM2c C. W. Cangeme. From the March 1943 War Diary of Omaha: “29 March 1943. At 1257 catapulted #1 plane to port. At 1654 sounded flight quarters to recover planes. At 1703 ceased zigzagging and steadied on base course 1770(T). At 1608 steamed on various courses and speeds to recover planes. At 1715 while hoisting plane #1 aboard on port side gooseneck pin on boom broke, stopped all engines, left starboard rudder. At 1716 pilot [and passenger] went overboard.
Backed full on all engines, broke five flag at fore truck and sounded five blasts on whistle. At 1718 steamed on various courses and speeds to pick up men. At 1720 lowered away #2 MWB (Motor Whale Boat). Dropped Franklin life buoy. At 1722 whale boat recovered both men. At 1734 hoisted in #2 MWB. At 1741 cut line on boom and cast off plane. Plane was wrecked as result of fall into water with way on. Unable to unhook without laying to for protracted period in submarine area. Cut plane and retrieving hook adrift. At 1743 commenced various courses and speeds to obtain position to commence firing with 40MM mount #3 to sink plane. At 1750 commenced firing with 40MM mount #3. At 1802 commenced firing short bursts with 40MM and 20MM batteries to sink wrecked plane. At 1813 ceased firing, target still afloat but settling. Passed location of wrecked plane four times to ensure that it had sunk.”
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired)
31 MAR 43. NORTH AMERICAN B-25C MITCHELL BuNo 42-53383
53383 (15th Ferry Group) w/o (written-off) in ground accident at Belem, Brazil Mar 31, 1943.
04 APR 43. DOUGLAS A20C-10-DO HAVOC BuNo 33308
33308 To USSR not taken up (ntu); written off w/o 4 Apr 1943 at Wideawake Field, Ascension Island.
04 APR 43. DOUGLAS A20C-10-DO HAVOC BuNo 33298
33298 To USSR not taken up (ntu); w/o 4 Apr 1943 in South Atlantic.
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04 APR 43. MARTIN B 26B-4 MARAUDER BuNo 41-18071
18071 (Air Transport Command) lost on ferry flight from Belem to Natal, Brazil Apr 4, 1943. (MACR 15474). All 4 crew killed.
09 APR 43. NORTH AMERICAN B25-D-5 MITCHELL BuNo 41-29964
Written off (w/o) in Cayenne, French Guiana.
10 APR 43. MARTIN A-30A-1-MA BALTIMORE BuNo 41-28030
28030 to RAF as Baltimore IV FA448. Hit fence on takeoff from Piarco, Trinidad Apr 10, 1943. DBR (damaged beyond
repair) when undercarriage collapsed on subsequent landing at Val de Cans Airfield, Belem, Brazil.
10 APR 43. CONSOLIDATED B-24D-35-C0 LIBERATOR BuNo 42-40215
40215 lost at sea enroute from Natal, Brazil to Dakar, French Morocco Apr 10, 1943.
11 APR 43. MARTIN B26 B-4 MARAUDER BuNo 18028
18028 (Air Transport Command) in forced landing at Parnamirim field, Natal, Brazil Apr 11, 1943 while on ferry flight. All crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.
19 APR 43. LOCKHEED A-28A-LO HUDSON BuNo 42-47145
47145 to RAF as Hudson VI FK589. Damaged beyond repair when undercarriage collapsed during heavy landing
at Waterloo, Sierra Leone Apr 19, 1943.
22 APR 43. MARTIN B-26 B MARAUDER BuNo 41-18047
41-18047 (Air Transport Command) crashed from unknown cause at Belem, Brazil Apr 22, 1943 while on ferry flight.
Unknown number of crew killed, aicraft was destroyed.
22 APR 43. MARTIN B-26B-MA MARAUDER BuNo 41-18260
18260 (Air Transport Command) in landing accident at San Luiz airfield, Brazil Apr 22, 1943 while on ferry flight. All crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.
27 APR 43. NORTH AMERICAN B-25 C 15 MITCHELL BuNo 42-32441
32441 missing off Marajo Island, some 100 miles NW of Belem on Amazon River, Brazil Apr 27, 1943
26 APR 43. MARTIN B 26 B-4 MARAUDER BuNo 41-18000
18000 (Air Transport Command) crashed during wheels up belly landing at Atkinson field, British Guiana Apr 26, 1943 while on ferry flight. All crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.
30 APR 43. GRUMMAN TBF-1 AVENGER BuNo 00536
00536 (VC-9) attached to USS Bogue lost in south Atlantic Apr 30, 1943.
03 MAY 43. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2N-1 KINGFISHER BuNo 01459
Bureau Number 01459. Squadron VS-44. On 3 May 1943 this OS2N-1, stationed at Aruba, NWI, was on an anti-submarine patrol along the South American coastline when it crashed into Santa Rosa Mountain, Venezuela, destroying the plane.The Pilot was Lloyd C. Morse; the Observer was Wayne E. Kent.
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired
05 MAY 43. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2N-1 KINGFISHER BuNo 01312
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired
05 MAY 43. MARTIN B-26B-10-MA MARAUDER BuNo 41-18290
8290 (Air Transport Command) lost from unknown cause between Natal, Brazil and Ascension Island while on ferry flight May 5, 1943. All crew killed.
XX XX 43. MARTIN B26-B-10-MA MARAUDER BuNo 41-18312
18312 (319th BG, 440th BS) bellylanded at Roberts Field, Liberia and cannibalized
13 MAY 43. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2N-1 KINGFISHER BuNo 01433
01433 attached to USS Cincinnati (CL-6) lost in south Atlantic May 13, 1943.
13 MAY 43. NORTH AMERICAN B-25 D MITCHELL BuNo 41-30348
Crashed some 82 miles east of São Luis NAF Northeastern Brazil. Written off (w/o). All crew of 6 died in the crash in a remote beach. All them were buried in two cemeteries of the region but later in August 1943 one team from US Army corps removed the remnants and transferred them for burial in the US. In July 2021 the wreckage of the plane was found by local fishermen.
13 MAY 43. NORTH AMERICAN B-25D-1 MITCHELL BuNo 41-29901
Written off (w/o) 13 May 1943 at Takoradi, Gold Coast, British West Africa.
19 MAY 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33189
On 19 May 1943 this VB-128 aircraft suffered a landing gear failure at 20:20Q at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The pilot was LtJg Joseph B. Dorrington. No fatalities but the plane suffered structural damage. Somehow the plane made it into VB-131’s inventory. BuNo 33189 crashed on take-off at 03:15 on 2 December 1943 one-half miles east of Zandery Field and was completely destroyed.
By quick thinking and good fortune all hands escaped. The pilot, Lt Bradford G. Swonetz, AOM2c W. E. Street, and AOM3c J. F. Ramsoms (being a passenger on this flight) received no injuries. Minor wounds and bruises were suffered by the co-pilot, Lt Morrow, AMM1c L.F. Meyer, and ARM3c T. A. Lent. Although the departure was made under poor weather conditions, the exact cause of the crash cannot be definitely ascertained. The best estimate would be the malfunction of flight instruments.
20 MAY 43. MARTIN A-30 BALTIMORE BuNo 41-28102
28102 to RAF as Baltimore IV FA520. Destroyed by fire when ran off runway at Atkinson Field, Georgetown,
British Guiana May 20, 1943
26 MAY 43. MITCHELL B-25C BuNo 42-32437
Written off (w/o) in crash landing at Val de Cans Airfield, Belem, Brazil May 26, 1943.
29 MAY 43. BEECHCRAFT UC-43 TRAVELLER BuNo 42-38680/38691
(MSN 3123, 3124, 3187, 3188, 3198/3205) were to be delivered to RAF in Middle East as FL659/FL670) went down on torpedoed ship SS Agwimonte on convoy CD-20 in South Atlantic May 29, 1943 off Quoin Point, Cape Province, South Africa. Sunk by U-177
31 MAY 43. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2N-1 KINGFISHER BuNo 01512
Number 01512. Squadron VCS-2. On 31 March 1943 this OS2N-1, stationed aboard USS Omaha (CL-4) was on a scouting mission when it had a landing accident at 110 20’S, 0210 13’W in the Southern Atlantic requiring a major overhaul. The Pilot was Lt.(jg) John W. Crowe; the Observer was ARM1c J. R. Gilmore. From the March 1943 War Diary of Omaha: “31 March 1943. At 1732 plane belonging to Omaha crashed into sea while attempting “Cast” recovery to Memphis, starboard side. Maneuvered to keep clear while Memphis salvaged plane. Memphis recovered plane, there were no injuries to personnel.” The Kingfisher was so badly damaged that on 29 May 1943 it was stricken from inventory.
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired
03 JUN 43. CONSOLIDATED PBY 5A CATALINA BuNo 04405
Crashed at São Luis NAF
LtJg Faulkner, flying BuNo 04405, was enroute to his convoy coverage área at 02º 26’S 43º 08’W, when he lost na engine and struggled to get back safely. The greatest immediate reason he lost na engine was due to the starboard oil cap becoming open in flight, thus releasing oil tank supply. The loss of the engine oil supply naturally caused engine failure. The oil supply was checked, according to the “Tower” engine log, at 04:30, a period of 29 minutes prior to engine failure. The log showed 50 gallons of oil in the starboard tank. The quantity of oil was never again checked but was to be done at 05:00, at the next log entry interval. The pilot closed his throttle upon report of the loss of total oil pressure and attempted to full feather starboard propeller quite unsuccessfully, due to lack of oil.
He did not jettison his bombs until about 2 minutes had elapsed. The pilot was also flying needle, ball and airspeed in heavy rain, rough air, darkness and without the use of na artificial horizon, the latter being out of commission (as usual) and replacement unavailable. Inspection of the oil filler cap showed it to be in satisfactory mechanical condition, but also with much freedom of movement of the safety clip of the oil tank cap latch – the spring was not installed. It is not actually known where the center of gravity (CG) was, but can be estimated to have been slightly forward, due to the known location of the crew and previous experience with this plane. The pilot force-landed the plane on sand. The aircraft and engines were a total loss due to its location. The crew all received minor injuries; Pilot LtJg Donald M. Faulkner, A-V(N) USNR; Co pilot LtJg Herbert J.Greenberg; LtJg John T. Cline; RM3c Charles W. Miller;RM1c Clifton F. Luft; AMM3c Charles Robert Strickland, Jr. , USN; AMM3c William E. Kreidlekamp; AMM2c Patrick R. Kenney; AMM1c Edward W. Erwin; and AOIM3c Joseph P. Gallagher.
Rear Admiral Joseph B. Tibbets USN, (Ret), a LCDR and commanding officer of Vp-94 at the time of the incident, wrote, “On 3 June 1943, this PB5Y A from Patron 94, based at Natal, Brazil, was on a night flight from na overnight base at São Luis to its antisubmarine patrol station along the Brazilian coast to escort a US convoy em route to Africa. Commanded by Lieutenant Junior Grade Donald M. Faulkner, senior PPC they took off pre-dawn and were headed accross the jungle shoreline at 900 feet when they lost oil pressure at the starboard engine. The engine cut out and was not feathered so the plane lost altitude rapidly. Bombs and fuel were jettisoned. The PPC saw flashes of light and dark below, so, thinking they were wave tops, he ordered na emergency power-stall water landing on what proved to be the long down slope of a huge sand dune three miles inland.
When the plane stopped, it still being dark outside, the crew assumed they had landed on the water, and inflated and threw overboard life rafts before they realized they were not in the water. You can imagine the yells and cheers then! Injuries were minor and damage to the plane repairable but impossible because of the isolated location. VP-94 located a fresh water lake nearby and within a few days flew out the crew and all strippable parts of the downed plane, including the good engine. Lieutenant Junior Grade Faulkner’s skill in landing his plane probably saved the lives of his crew. Luck played a part but his training and quick thinking allowed luck to play its part.
03 JUN 43. CONSOLIDATED PBY5-A CATALINA BuNo 04405
04405 (CAC c/n 411, Hull No 582, Seq ab 38) (VP-94) force landed in Brazil 6/3/1943 due to oil pressure failure and
bad weather. Crew suffered only minor injuries, but aircraft never recovered because of its location.
04 JUN 43. LOCKHEED A-28A-LO HUDSON BuNo 42-47222
47222 to RAF as Hudson VI FK666. Wrecked when swung on takeoff and undercarriage collapsed, Waterloo,
Sierra Leone Jun 4, 1943
04 JUN 43. VOUGHT OS 2U-3 Kingfisher BuNo 5320
Bureau Number 5320. Squadron VCS-2. On 4 June 1943 this OS2U-3, assigned to USS Cincinnati (CL-6), went missing while out on a scouting flight in the southern Atlantic around 270 02’S, 270 37’W. The Pilot was Lt.(jg) Sidney George Goodman, A-V(N), USNR; the Observer was AMMC Robert Thomas Turcotte. The aircraft was never found. From the June 1943 War Diary of Cincinnati: “4 June 1943. At 1743 plane was reported as missing. At 1745, having been unable to bring plane in on homing procedure, fired star shells to starboard.” Sometimes noted as BuNo 5340 which is in error based on War Diary.
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired
08 JUN 43. DOUGLAS A-20 C HAVOC BuNo 42-33380
33380 To USSR not taken up (ntu); written off w/o 8 Jun 1943 at Parnamirim Field, Natal To USSR.
09 JUN 43. LOCKHEED F5-A-10-LO LIGHTNING BUNo 42-13282
Written off (w/o) 9 Jun 1943 at Zandery Airfield, Suriname.
10 JUN 43. MARAUDER B-26C-20-MO MARAUDER BuNo 41-35039
35039 (Air Transport Command) in landing accident at Wideawake Field, Ascension Island Jun 10, 1943.
All crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.
11 JUN 43. (VB-129) LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33187
Based in Brazil. Crashed at sea on routine training flight. W/O. 5 missing.
12 JUN 43. BELL P-39D-1-BE AIRACOBRA BuNo 41-28264
28264 W/o (written-off) 12 Jun 1943 at Ascension Island.
12 JUN 43. DOUGLAS A-20 G HAVOC BuNo 42-53655
Crashed at Tucunduba State of Ceara NW some 40 miles from of Pici Field. (w/o) written off
28 JUN 43. CONSOLIDATED B-24D-35-C0 LIBERATOR
40677 right main gear collapsed during landing at Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil Jun 28, 1943. Condemned Jul 5, 1943
30 JUN 43. CURTISS C-46-A-15 CU COMMANDO BuNo 41-12401
12401 crashed on landing on Ascension island Jun 30, 1943. Condemned Jul 3, 1943.
03 JUL 43. LOCKHEED F5-A-10-LO LIGHTNING BuNo 42-13306
13306 (5th PRG, 23rd PS) crashed into Atlantic in rain squall 70-80 mi SW of Roberts Field, Liberia Jul 3, 1943. Pilot
killed. (MACR 439).
03 JUL 43. CURTISS C-46A-1-CU COMMANDO BuNo 41-12283
12283 (MSN 26410/CU50) delivered 02 Feb. 1943 to USAAF. July 3, 1943 in landing accident Parnamirim Fld, Natal,
Brazil. Transferred to RFC 05 Oct. 1945. WFU & stored Bush Field, Georgia, converted to ZC-46A returned to USAAF
21 May 1948. WFU & stored Robins Air Force Base Georgia Jan 1949.
03 JUL 43. CESSNA UC-78 BOBCAT BuNo 43-7375
7375 (MSN 4895) crashed at Natal Jul 3, 1943.
07 JUL 43 GRUMMAN JRF-5 GOOSE BuNo 34070
34070 (MSN 1199) written-off (w/o) Jul 7, 1943 at Essequibo River, British Guiana.
11 JUL 43. NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY OS2N-1 KINGFISHER BuNo 01277.
Bureau Number 01277. Squadron VCS-2. On 11 July 1943 this OS2N-1 was being ferried solo by Lt. Horace H. Epes, Jr., USNR, when he suffered an engine failure and was forced to land off shore of Brazil. From the July 1943 War Diary of Commander Fourth Fleet: “12 July 1943. Patrol Craft #492 stood out of Recife to rescue Lieutenant Horace Epes who was reported to have had a forced landing last night 28 miles south of Recife, 8 miles off shore, while ferrying an OS2U from Natal to Bahia. The plane was found washed up on the beach. The pilot had swum ashore and was safe. Guards were posted on the plane which will be salvaged.”
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired
16 JUL 43. VOUGHT OS 2U-3 Kingfisher BuNo 5902
(VCS-2) Attached to USS Marblehead. When being catapulted the cable parted inside the toe fitting, lost pressure, and the plane dropped over the side into the water 150 miles SE of Recife, Brazil 16 Jul 1943. Both crew rescued by a whaleboat of USS Marblehead. Aircraft sank by gunfire.
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired
20 JUL 43. CURTISS C46-A-15 CU COMMANDO BuNo 41-12430
12430 (MSN 26557/CU197) damaged in landing accident at Atkinson Field, Georgetown, British Guyana Jul 20, 1943. (damaged beyond repair) DBR Aug 19, 1943 when crew bailed out after an engine failure in the (China-Burma-India) CBI area. Condemned Aug 23, 1943
20 JUL 43. DOUGLAS C-54 SKYMASTER BuNo 41-20143.
Crashed on take-off at Wideawake Airfield Ascension Island 20 Jul 43. No data on loss of crew. Aircraft damaged beyond repair, (DBR)
23 JUL 43. CONSOLIDATED PB4-Y LIBERATOR BuNo 32054
This VB-107 aircraft (ex-USAAF B24D 42-405070, being piloted by LtJg Waugh, attacked a surfaced U-boat, U-598, in conjunction with another PB4Y-1 being flown by Lt W. R. Ford, and sank the enemy submarine on 23 July 1943. LtJg Waugh’s aircraft apparently sustained AA damage during the attack, plunging into the sea after his bombing pass, with all hands lost. For his actions LtJg Waugh was awarded the Purple Heart and the Dinstinguished Flying Cross. Of the 45 men aboard the U-boat, only one survived. The submarine’s identity was confirmed by the sole survivor.
As an aside, the co-pilot of Lt Ford’s aircraft, LtJg Bernard A. Fleck, later named his first son “Goree” out of respect for his best friend who had lost his life. Crew lost: Pilot LtJg Goree E. Waugh; Co-Pilot LtJg Robert S. Swan; ENS Donald R. Besmehn; ENS William G. Meierhofer; ACRM Edward L. Chapman; AMM2c John D. Edwards; AMM2c Daniel J. Ford; S2c Donald W. MacLatchie; ARM1c Anthony J. Petaccio; ARM3c Walter G. Seidel; AMM2c Sterling F. Seymour; and AOM3c George J. Zukiewicz.
30 JUL 43. MARTIN PBM 3C MARINER BuNo 6718
On 30 July 1943 this VP-204 PBM-3C was on an anti-submarine search mission at night when it was hit by 30-cal. Machine-gun fire on the underside of the hull, likely from U-572, at 07º58’N 054º58’W, approximately 80 miles north of Paramaribo, Suriname. While the plane landed withot incidente with only minor damage, one of the crewmen was killed LtJg Robert K. Hershey.
01 AUG 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 29920
VB-127’s Lt Marr was on na administrative flight originating from Fortaleza, Brazil, heading to Natal, Brazil for the purpose of obtaining spare parts. On 1 August 1943, on his return leg, he lost power in his starboard engine (on take-off from NAF Natal) and crashed into water. The accident killed five personnel, including Lt Marr, and injured five others. Crew killed: Pilot LT Joseph Richard Marr, A-V(N) USNR; Co-Pilot LtJg Lawrence W. Cohn, Jr., A-V(N) USNR; ENS Maurice Edwin Neeley, A-V(S) USNR; AMM1c W. R. Shiell, USNR; AMM3c Herbert Russel Sewell, USNR. Crew injured: ENS F. B. Ogden, A-V(S) USNR; AOM2c R. E. Broell, USN; ARM3c J. T. Cook, USNR; AMM2c R. J. Mehocheo, USNR; and F1cH. H. Scrivner, USNR.
12 AUG 43. CONSOLIDATED PB4-Y LIBERATOR BuNo 32064
This VB-107 aircraft (ex-USAAF B-24D 42-40568) nicknamed Spirit of 63 was being piloted by the Squadron’s commanding officer LCDR B. G. Prueher. On 12 August 1943 he departed Natal at 06:00 with a extra-heavy load of fuel. Intending to fly on a protracted search over an area of suspected U-boat operations. A wolfpack of three surfaced U-boats were attacked in the afternoon and subsequent testimony of German naval personell captured at a later date indicated that LCDR Pruher’s aircraft was shot down by the combined AA of U-172, U-185 and U-604 during his second bombing pass.
U-185 received the credit for the kill. All ten crew were lost. Crew: Pilot LCDR Bertram Joseph Prueher, USN; LtJg Grover Clevelan Hannever, A-V(N) USNR; ENS Robert Tehan, USNR; ENS Eugene Louis Coupe USNR; ACMM Clyde Adelbert Smith, USNR; ACRM Howard Clifton Brandon, USNR; AMM1c John Roy Van Horn, USNR; AOM1c Gordon Granville Merrick, USNR; RM2c Donald Wayne Gardner, USNR; and S2c Joseph Mihalski, USNR.
12 AUG 43. CONSOLIDATED PB4Y-1 LIBERATOR BuNo 33171
On 12 August 1943 VB-130 moved to Recife, Brazil, where it remained until 27 August 1943, when it was shifted again to Pici Field, Fortaleza. On 13 september 1943 pilot Bernard J. flaherty was on a routine familiarization flight out of NAF Fortaleza (Pici Field), Brazil, when the aircraft caught fire upon landing. The crew survived. Crew: Pilot Bernard J. Flaherty; Carl W. Wicke, Francis W. Bradshaw, Robert G. Beck, Feliz Cassidy, and Norven E. Cremeans.
20 AUG 43 . VOUGHT SIKORSKI OS2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo 5419
5419 (CL-4) attached to USS Omaha lost in south Atlantic off Brazilian coast, Aug 20, 1943.
24 AUG 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34615
34615 to RAF as Ventura GR.V FP557. Wrecked when undershot landing and undercarriage collapsed, Takoradi, Gold
Coast Aug 24, 1943.
27 AUG 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 29918
29918 (VB-129) lost off Ipitanga Airfield, Bahia, Brazil.
03 SEP 43. CONSOLIDATED PBY 5ª CATALINA BuNo 2479
During the period that BuNo 2479 was landing and being taxied by LtJg Faulkner, the right engine-driven hydraulic pump was inoperative but the reverse fluid was under pressure, supplied by an accumulator with low air pressure. The air pressure was depleted by the time the pilot had taxied through the parking area and he failed to stop short of the plane sitting on the check stand and ran into it. All damage was repairable and the crew was unhurt. Pilot LtJg Donald M. Faulkner, A-V(N) USNR; Co-Pilot LtJg Robert C. Cochran, A-V(N) USNR; LtJg Harry A. Hazzard, USNR; AMM1c Joseph D. Simmons, USN; AMM2c John C. Sorrel, USN; ARM1c Chris C. Owens, USN; ARM1c Joseph A. Santora, USN; AOM3c Angelo T. Scurrso, USNR; and AOM3c Vincent J. Garegnani, USNR.
07 SEP 43. CONSOLIDATED C-87-CF LIBERATOR EXPRESS BuNo 24140
24140 operated by Pan American. Crashed after takeoff 2.5 mi N of Accra, Gold Coast Sep 7, 1943. 9 killed.
13 SEP 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33171
33171 (VB-130) caught fire on landing at NAF Fortaleza (Pici Field), Brazil Sep 13, 1943. Crew survived.
17 SEP 43. MARTIN A 30 10-MA BALTIMORE BuNo 43-8534
8534 to RAF as Baltimore V FW377. DBR (damaged beyond repair) swung on takeoff and hit Baltimore FA114
(ex 41-27696) at Val de Cans Airfield, Belem, Brazil Sep 17, 1943.
17 SEP 43. CONSOLIDATED B-24D-125-C0 LIBERATOR BuNo 42-41005
41005 (343rd BS, 98th BG, 12th AF, based at Benina Airfield, Benghazi, Libya)
In takeoff accident at Lete Liberia, West Africa Sep 17, 1943. All crew survived, but aircraft was destroyed.
19 SEP 43. MARTIN A-30 BALTIMORE BuNo 27696
27696 to RAF as Baltimore IIIA FA114. (damaged beyond repair) DBR when hit while parked by Baltimore FW377
(USAAF 43-8534) at Val de Cans Airfield, Belem, Brazil Sep 19, 1943.
23 SEP 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34694
On 23 September 1943 this VB-129 aircraft out of Ipitanga airfield, Brazil, ran out of fuel and landed in a cow pasture near Campos dos Goytacazes, a municipality located in the northern area of Rio de Janeiro State. Unknown injuries to crew but more than likely unhurt.
24 SEP 43. LOCKHEEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33456
33456 to RAF as Ventura GR.V FP539. Damaged beyond repair (DBR )Sep 24, 1943 when swung on takeoff and
undercarriage collapsed at Takoradi, Gold Coast.
26 SEP 42. CURTISS P40-C BuNo 41-13432
Written off 30 Aug 1942 at Zanderij Field, Suriname, condemned Sep 26, 1942.
15 OCT 43. CONSOLIDATED PB4-Y LIBERATOR BuNo 32052
This VB-107 aircraft (ex-USAAF B-24D 42-40566) nicknamed The Galloping Ghost of the Brazilian Coast, was being piloted by Lt Shirley out of Parnamirim, Natal, Brazil. On 15 October 1943 the plane successful launched , although with a higher -then-normal nose-high atitude, the gear retracted, and then the plane settle back down onto the runway. The gear had not been retracted “during take-off roll” nor “before airborne” as some reports mention. Several crew were injured but therewere no fatalities. The aircraft was demolished. An eyewitness to the event , AMM2c Billie Goodell, was aboard. On October the 14th, 1043 my crew had the day off after several anti-submarine patrols. The officer of the day came up ommanding Officer is going on an inspection trip to Ascension Island tomorrow and I want you to get your plane ready.”
The next day October 15th the Commanding Officer Captain Renfro Turner and his inspection crew came out to the plane. We loaded and for take-off we had to move most of the personnel forward. I had a couple on the catwalk in the bomb-bay. My position is always standing between the pilot and copilot. CDR Turner was sitting behind the piloto n a piece of radio gear. He was reading a book called ”The Importance of Living.” We checked the RPM and the tower gave us permission to roll. We were up to about a hundred and fifty miles per hour and lifted off and were about two hundred feet in the air whe the plane started to losing altitude. The left wing hit and number four prop hit and snapped off and hit the engine next to it and it hit the fuselage splittting the side where the Captain was sitting. He had injuries in his back. After the prop hit it glanced to the bow cutting off the plexisglass and setting off about two hundred rounds of fifty caliber ammo. The nose whell came up through the deck and I ended up with cuts in my leg. The men in the bomb-bay had cuts and bruises.
After a few bounces and skids we came to a stop. We got out fast for we had nine bombs and a three-hundred-gallon gas tank in the bomb-bay. By that time all the fire and crash crew arrived and the bombs were so hot they had to spray them down before digging them out. It was a Lucky day for usb ut he end of the Galloping Ghost. BuNo 32052was written off the books.Crew: Pilot Lt Leonard Shirley (injured); Co-Pilot LtJg Guy S. Brown (injured); 3rd Pilot ENS Wayne A. Grimm (injured); LCDR renfro Turner (injured); ENS Arlin E. W. Fitz; AMM2c Billie Goodell (injureed); AMM2c James M. Leftwinch (injured); AMM2c Elza L. Smothers; RM1c Etzio R. Giombi; RM3c Floyd K. Gamble; RM2c Loranzie Wallace; and AOM3c Kenneth J. Schwartz.
15 OCT 43. CONSOLIDATED PB4-Y LIBERATOR BuNo 32084
32084 (ex USAAF B-24D 42-40729) struck off charge (SOC) Jul 31, 1945. Crashed at Parnamirim field Natal Oct 15, 1943
22 OCT 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33194
On 22 October 1943 this VB-131 plane failed to return from its scheduled Bauxite mission on detached duty at Atkinson Field, British Guiana. The crew was composed of pilot LtJg Byron C. Kern, A-V(N), USNR; ENS Irwin A. Silverstein, AV(N), USNR; ARM2c James R. Hale, USN; AMM2c Robert B. Sherman, USN; and AOM3c Charles E. Whitlow, Jr., USNR;. At 16:30 a report was received at Zandery Field, Surinam – the base of FAW Eleven (FAW-11) – relative to the crash stating that Lt Kern had suffered minor injuries, ENS Silverstein moderate injuries, Hale and Whitlow no injuries and that Sheman could not be found. A confidential dispatch was sent on October 31 to SecNav by ComBonRon 131, relative to this accident. The general contentes of this message were to the effect that BuNo 33194 crashed and sank on 22 October 1943. At 21:30 Q, off Georgetown, British Guiana, in water at an estimated position between Essequibo and Demerara Rivers.
The plane took-off from Atkinson at 17:48Q, on a four-and-one-half-hour routine sweep the along the coast. It was fully gassed up before take-off and carried six Mark 47 depth charges, but no drop tanks. The plane had been given a 60-hour-check ride five hours previously and the pilot that took that flight found no discrepancies with the plane. BuNo 33194 was returning to base at night on gyro-pilot, above one thousand feet, when it ran into scattered clouds. LtJg Kern disengaged the Gyro, descended, leveled off below the clouds at one thousand feet and re-engaged the Gyro-pilot. At this point the lights of Georgetown were seen ahead by the pilot who turned in his seat to refer to a chart to check a coastal light, with the aid of the pilot’s fluorescente light. While doing this, LtJg Kern realized his plane was evidently out of control and the next instant he pulled the yoke all the way back but water was already rising to his ankles.
The pilot, radioman and navigator escaped by the pilot’s escape hatch, while the ordnanceman wormed his way out via the bow deck hatch. All mustered on the port wing and proceeded to pump the little raft up which had not inflated. There was no sign of the mechanic, Sherman, who was stationed in the tail of the plane. As the plane was sinking badly, the life raft was cut adrift and propelled to shore. A thorough search was made on October 23rd and 24th by numerous of diferent type planes, and the area dragged by boats – all to no avail. The cause of the accident is unknown. All members of the crew stated definitely that the engines did not cut out. There is a possibility that the Bank and Climb on the Gyro-pilot had slipped to the “cage” position and when the Gyro engaged it could have caused the plane to nose over.
22 OCT 43. CONSOLIDATED PB4-Y LIBERATOR BuNo 33134
33134 (VB-131) lost off British Guiana (Atkinson Field) Oct 22, 1943
30 OCT 43. MARTIN B26-A MARAUDER BuNo 7384
7384 to RAF as Marauder I FK116 Jun 9, 1943. Crashed near Accra, Gold Coast Oct 30, 1943.
03 NOV 43. MARTIN PBM3-C MARINER BuNo 01717
01717 (VP-204) PBM Mariner hit mooring buoy and sank while taxiing near NAS Essequibo, British Guiana Nov 3, 1943.
05 NOV 43. LOCKHEED R 50-6 LODESTAR BuNo 39630
(MSN 14-2530, FAW-16) Lost in landing accident at Caravelas, Bahia, Brazil Nov 5, 1943.
09 NOV 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33412
On 9 November 1943 VB-131’s LtJg John W. Powers returning from investigating a possible submarine contact at night to find Zandery airfield at Surinam closed with rain and fog. Lacking sufficient fuel to proceed to another airstrip. Powers landed the aircraft in a river near Paramaribo. He sent the following message to Base Radio: “Landing River”. No further word was heard and a search commenced at once for the plane and crew.
Crew: Pilot LtJg John W. Powers, A-V(N) USNR; ENS Joseph H. Greene, A-V(N) USNR; AMM1c Luther P. McPherson,USN; ARM2c Bernard J. Weltzman, USNR; AOM2c Donald S. West, USNR; and a passenger 1 StLt Francis Watersreet, a U.S. Army Chaplain. At midnight the area weather began to close in so all flights were ordered to return at once. Lieutenant Powers and his crew and passenger were rescued the following day. The aircraft was destroyed by dynamite.
10 NOV 43. LOCKHEED PV1 VENTURA BuNo 33358 (VB-131)
On 10 November 1943 this VB-131 aircraft took-off from Zandery Field at 09:26Z, to search for BuNo 33412, at that time BuNo 33412 being unlocated. While the crew of BuNo 33412 was waiting in the water for eventual rescue, they watched horrified to see this aircraft flown by LtJg Roger G. Winthers, spin-in at 1500 feet and crash practically on top of the site where they had ditched their on aircraft the day before. Another amphibious plane landed and circled the crash but Winthers and his crew of five had been killed instantly.
Lieutenant Powers and his crew from BuNo 33412 were rescued the following day. Crew killed: Pilot LtJg Robert Gustave Winthers,. JrAV(N) USNR; ENS John G. Sieck, A-V(S) USNR; ARM2c Robert W. Dye, USN; AOM3c Joseph A. Dias, USNR; AMM2c John J. Diamond, USNR; and ARM3c James O. Vinson, USN.
13 NOV 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34653
On 13 November 1943 VB-145’s Lt Jones and his crew took-off from NAF Fernando de Noronha Island some 200 miles from Natal, on an anti-submarine sweep but were forced to ditch at sea after their radio compass failed. Jones had taken the wrong bearinguntil too much fuel had been consumed to make landfall. After the squadron searched the area for six days , hope was given up of finding the crew.
Finally, on the seventh day, the crew drifted ashore and was saved. They survived on a gallon of water and ate three seagulls raw during their days at sea. They had drifted 300 miles from where they crashed before being close enough to row ashore. Crew: Pilot Lt Ernest Melton Jones; Co-Pilot ENS Samuel W. Pryor; RM3c C. A. Smith; AOM3c Frank A. Stavole; and AMM3c Walter H. Marquardt, Jr.
19 NOV 43. CONSOLIDATED B-24 H BuNo 42-52138
Crash landed at Val de Cans Airfield Belem 19 Nov 1943.
19 NOV 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 29853
29853 (VB-129) lost off Ipitanga Airfield, Brazil Nov 19, 1943.
19 NOV 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 29910
29910 (VB-129) lost off IpItanga Airfield, Bahia, Brazil, Nov 19, 1943.
19 NOV 43. FORD B-24 10 FO BuNo 52128
(448th BG, 712th BS) crash-landed in Brazil (location unknown) while on its way to Seething, Norfolk, UK Nov 19, 1943.
19 NOV 43. DOUGLAS R4D-1 BuNo 01988
(MSN 4552) To US Navy Aug 3, 1942 – VR-7 Apr 03, 1943 – NATS Nov 15 1943 – VR – 7 Nov 19 1943. Hit mountain 30 miles E of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 18 killed SOC (Struck of Charge) Nov, 22 1943.
19 NOV 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 29863
On 19 November 1943, the Army Operations Officer responsible for airport operations at Ipitanga , Bahia, Brazil, closed the airport at 11:15 local time due to severe cross-winds across the runway. Na earlier PV-1 flight to Natal did depart before the airport shut down operations. This was also the day that 6 members of the squadron were killed when the NATS plane they were flying in crashed 35 miles east of Rio de Janeiro It is possible that VB-129‘s BuNo 29863 and 29910 suffered damage from the severe winds while they tied down on the tarmac.
23 NOV 1943. DOUGLAS A-20-D-L HAVOC 2711
(MSN 504) w/o Nov 23, 1943 at Kano Airport, Nigeria.
28 NOV 43. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5A CATALINA 2472
LT Stritter, in BuNo 2472, took off from Val De Cans, Belem, Brazil, at 22:10 local time on 28 November 1943. the purpose of the flight was flight convoy coverage of a convoy. At about 22:20 a communication check was made with the plane, this was the last contact made with the plane. The plane failed to return at its ETA of 09:00 LCT. A search was conducted in the area for the following six days until 3 December. Items were discovered scattered along the beach on the Para River, 55 miles north of Belem, Brazil. the recovered gear included the following items: starboard wing-tip float, pilot seat cushion, part of a inflatable life jacket, sections of navigation table, a K-20 camera, chronometer case, Radio Direction finder (RDF) cushion, aerial float light, pitot tube cover, radio tubes, life raft paddle and other buoyant articles. The above gear was found to be in a general state of severe damage.
Lt Stritter was an experienced and capable pilot with an excellent flight record. The plane had 59.5 hours flight time since overhaul by ABATU (Amphibious Base Advanced training Unit) at NAS Norfolk. A check of the plane's operations since overhaul reveals nothing but the usual minor discrepancies. The weather was reported good by the plane covering the same convoy earlier that evening and also as reported by a plane approximately 200 miles from the convoy later that night. For the lack of cause this accident cannot be determined. It is the opinion of the Board however, that the probable causes may be by enemy action, material failure, personal error, or weather - in the order listed.
From appearance from recovered wing-tip float it appears fairly certain that the float was not in the "up" position at the time of impact. The floating locking pin socket showed no signs of mutilation as no doubt would have been the cause if the float were in the "up" position. This would lead to the conclusion then that the pilot was attempting a force-landing. From other appearances of the float it seems that the plane entered the water with the right wing low, as in a glide to the right.
It is the opinion of the Board that the cockpit and navivigator's compartment were demolished on impact. This may be assumed from the fact that virtually all the items recovered were from these compartments. The recovered items , with the exception of the life jacket, were identified as being a plane attached to this unit by the markings: FAW-16 on the camera case, "ABATU" on the seat cushions, and that the camouflage paint on the wing-tip float. The life jacket has not been identified. OP16V has the plane listed as show down by enemy submarine AAA. Crew killed: Pilot LT Theodore Smith Stritter, USNR; Co-Pilot LT Kenneth Paul Rauer, USN; Third Pilot LtJg Joseph Daniel Engels, USN; AMM2c Edward Jones Webb, Jr.,USN; AMM3c William Alonzo Sexton, USN; AMM3c Lonnie David Johson, USN; AMM3c Charles Robert Strickland, Jr., USN; ARM3c Demos Stavros, USN; ARM3c William Francis Maher, USNR; and AOM3c Harold Francis Cunniff, USNR.
02 DEC 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA. BuNo 33189
Attached to VB-131, crashed shortly after take off from Paramaribo Zandery Airfield, for a convoy coverage. Crew of five rescued.
03 DEC 43. MARTIN A-30A-20-MA BALTIMORE BuNo 43-8690
8690 to RAF as Baltimore V FW533. Damaged Beyond Recovery (DBR) when swung on takeoff from Val de Cans Airfield,
Belem during ferry flight Dec 3, 1943.
05 DEC 43. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 6583
6583 at Quantico Air Museum. Another report has the plane being with FAW-6 and lost off Georgetown, British Guiana
Dec 5, 1943.
09 DEC 43. MARTIN A-30A-20-MA BALTIMORE BuNo 43-8717
8717 to RAF as Baltimore V FW560. DBR when swung on landing and tipped up, Zandery Airfield, Paramaribo, Dutch
Guiana Dec 9, 1943
Squadron VCS-2. On 10 December 1943 this OS2U-3, attached to USS Marblehead (CL-12) was lost off Recife , Brazil. The Pilot was Howard A. Jacobs; the Observer was ACMM Dale Leonard Kibby. The December 1943 War Diary of Marblehead states: “10 December 1943. Lost port plane over the side upon catapulting. Failure of material apparent cause. Appointed Board of Investigation to inquire the facts.”
Data kindly provided by Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. (LCDR), USNR, Retired
13 DEC 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 29879
29879 (VB-145) On 13 December 1943 this VB-145 aircraft was out of NAF Natal , Brazil, on an engineering test flight.
When the pilot returned to Parnamirim Field he landed but then ground-looped the aircraft , causing some damage but
none of the crew were hurt. Crew: Pilot LtJg H. H. Woodward; Co-Pilot J. F. Witten; J. D. Blanchette; P. B. Gaston; and
Reis S. Carlos.
14 DEC 43. MARTIN B-26B-45-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-95770
95770 (Air Transport Command) in takeoff accident at Val de Cans Airfield, Belem, Brazil Dec 14, 1943 while on ferry
flight. All crew survived, but aircraft was destroyed.
15 DEC 43. MARTIN B26B-45-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-95749
95749 (Air Transport Command) crashed on takeoff at Wideawake Field, Ascension Island Dec 15, 1943 while on ferry
flight. Unknown number of crew killed, aicraft was destroyed.
18 DEC 43. CURTISS C-46A-20-CO BuNo 41-24702
24702 lost Dec 18, 1943 at Balourou Village, French Guiana. (MACR 1244)
21 DEC 43. MARTIN B26B-45-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-95778
95778 (437th BS, 319th BG, 12th AF) in ground accident at Roberts Field, Liberia while on ferry flight Dec 21, 1943. All
crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.
21 DEC 43. DOUGLAS C-47A-65-DL SKYTRAIN BuNo 42-100503
100503 (MSN 18966) to USAAF Oct 22, 1943, 8th AF Dec 20, 1943. (written-off) w/o Dec 21, 1943 at NAF Amapa, Brazil
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21 DEC 43. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34989
On 21 December 1943, during the trans-Atlantic flight from Quonset Point, RI, to Port Lyautey, French Morocco, this VB-132PV-1, being flown by Lt Roy G. Schults, A-V(N), USNR, suffered an engine failure. An emergency landing was made at 10:32Z, 21 December, into Conakry Field, French Guinea. The plane was damaged beyond repair but there were no personnel injuries. Lt Schults and his crew returned to Roberts Field, Marshall, Liberia, on 23 December 1943 to await transportation to final destination. The aircraft was later salvaged by the 8th Army.
25 DEC 43. MARTIN B-26B-45-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-95776
95776 (Air Transport Command) in taxiing accident at Roberts Field, Liberia Dec 25, 1943. All crew survived, aircraft
badly damaged, unknown if repaired.
31 DEC 1943. MARTIN A-30 BALTIMORE. BuNo 41-27764
27764 to RAF as Baltimore IIIA FA182. Caught fire on ground at Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil Dec 31, 1943
