Zone
Sicily

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL off Gela: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1943 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-5689
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kairouan - Kairouan
MSN:
7383
YOM:
1943
Location:
Gela
Sicily
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the invasion of Sicily on the operation christened 'Husky 1'. While approaching Gela, the twin engine aircraft was mistakenly shot down by friendly fire and crashed into the sea 3 km off shore. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (314th TCG):
Sgt Courtney D. Allington,
1st Lt Harold J. Funk,
T/Sgt William H. Mundy,
2nd Lt Richard S. Steeb.
Probable cause:
Shot down by friendly fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DL off Gela: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23506
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
9368
YOM:
1943
Location:
Gela
Sicily
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the invasion of Sicily on the operation christened 'Husky 1'. While approaching Gela, the twin engine aircraft was mistakenly shot down by friendly fire and crashed into the sea 5 km off shore. All six crew members were killed.
Crew (45th TCS):
Cpt Don Armstrong, pilot,
Maj William N. Dekker,
Cpt Charles M. Dobbins,
Maj Tracy H. Jackson,
M/Sgt William K. Mayo,
T/Sgt Edwin T. Morgan.
Probable cause:
Shot down by friendly fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL in Gela: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23646
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kairouan - Kairouan
MSN:
9508
YOM:
1943
Location:
Gela
Sicily
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While taking part to the invasion of Sicily during the 'Husky 1' operation, just after that all paratroopers jumped, the aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in a field. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-53D-DO in Gela: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-68761
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
11688
YOM:
1943
Location:
Gela
Sicily
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While taking part to the invasion of Sicily during the 'Husky 1' operation, just after that all paratroopers jumped, the aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in a field. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DL near Gela: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23366
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
9228
YOM:
1943
Location:
Gela
Sicily
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While taking part to the Sicily invasion, the aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed 6,5 km northeast of Gela. All four crew members from the 32nd TCS were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
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