Martin B-26 Marauder | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While approaching the Dutch coast on a bombing mission, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the sea 5 miles off Ijmuiden. Five crew members were killed while the sixth occupant was rescued and taken PoW.
Crew (452nd BS):
2nd Lt Edward R. Norton,
2nd Lt James A. Norton,
Lt Alvin X. Zeindenfeld,
S/Sgt Ralph H. McDougall,
S/Sgt Harrison E. Kegg,
Sgt Bennett W. Longworth.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder off Castricum: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1943 at 1213 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

41-18086

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

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While approaching the Dutch coast on a bombing mission, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the sea off Castricum. Five crew members were killed while the sixth occupant was rescued and taken PoW.
Crew (450th BS):
Lt Joseph H. Jones,†
2nd Lt Anthony A. Alaimo,
2nd Lt Norris K. Calkins, †
Sgt Marvin L. Harbour, †
T/Sgt Robert Steffen, †
S/Sgt Milton E. Littrell. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder off Ijmuiden: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1943 at 1212 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

41-17979

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

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Circumstances:

While approaching the Dutch coast, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the sea, two miles west of Ijmuiden. A crew member was killed while five others were rescued.
Crew (322nd BG/450th BS):
Lt Col William R. Purinton,
2nd Lt William H. Kinney,
Lt Edward F. Jefferis Jr., †
S/Sgt Jean J. Duhamel,
S/Sgt Robert J. Gunther,
Sgt Lester F. Miller.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder in Bodegraven: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1943 at 1158 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

41-18080

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While flying west of Utrecht, the aircraft collided with another USAAF B-26B Marauder registered 41-17991 and carrying a crew of six as well. Both aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located in Bodegraven, west of Utrecht. Two crew survived in each aircraft while all eight other occupants were killed.
Crew (452nd BS):
Cpt William Converse, †
2nd Lt Berton H. Ramsey, †
Lt Arthur E. Garni, †
T/Sgt James D. Thompson,
Sgt Kenneth H. VonLindern, †
Sgt Frank Lamonica.

Probable cause:

Mid-air collision.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder near Bodegraven

Date & Time: May 17, 1943 at 1158 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

41-17999

Flight Phase:

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The aircraft was hit by debris from the mid-air collision between both Marauder 41-17991 and 41-18080. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a field and the aircraft came to rest near Bodegraven. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all six crew members were taken PoW.
Crew (452nd BS):
Lt David V. Wurst,
2nd Lt Robert L. Starr,
2nd Lt A. E. Speer,
Cpl George Heski,
S/Sgt Robert J. Dempsey,
Sgt Reginald Foster.

Probable cause:

Hit by debris from a mid-air collision.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder in Bodegraven: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1943 at 1158 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

41-17991

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

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Circumstances:

While flying west of Utrecht, the aircraft collided with another USAAF B-26B Marauder registered 41-18080 and carrying a crew of six as well. Both aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located in Bodegraven, west of Utrecht. Two crew survived in each aircraft while all eight other occupants were killed.
Crew (452nd BS):
Lt Richard O. Wolfe, †
Lt Jack E. Vandergrift, †
2nd Lt John H. Burns, †
Sgt Kleber L. Jones,
Sgt Chester J. Walas,
Sgt John L. Nash. †

Probable cause:

Mid-air collision.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder in Maassluis: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1943 at 1152 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

41-18052

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

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While approaching Rotterdam from the west, on a bombing mission, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in the Maas River located in Maassluis. Two crew members were killed while four others were taken PoW.
Crew (450th BS):
Lt Vincent S. Garrambone,
2nd Lt Leonard S. Lang,
2nd Lt James R. Hoel,
Sgt John L. Stefanowicz, †
Sgt John Logan,
Sgt Melvin O. Cage. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder in Rozenburg: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1943 at 1151 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

41-17982

Flight Phase:

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Circumstances:

While approaching Rotterdam from the west, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in a field located in Rozenburg. Three crew members were killed while three others were taken PoW.
Crew (322nd BG/452nd BS):
Lt Col Robert W. Stillman,
Lt Ellis J. Resweber, †
2nd Lt William R. Betz, †
S/Sgt Morgan S. Freeman,
T/Sgt Clyde D. Willis,
S/Sgt Edward K. Hagetter. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Antil Plains

Date & Time: May 12, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

40-1477

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

1477

YOM:

1940

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While landing on a soggy field located in Antil Plains, south of Townsville, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no casualties.