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

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

                   119 PLANES LOST IN 1944

The year 1944 saw an increase in the number of accidents in the South Atlantic. This was due in large part to the incessant increase in the flow of aircraft to England in order to undertake the great effort of the invasion of France. In addition, a large number of allied aircraft were already concentrated at bases in Sicily and in the Italian territory recently conquered and from there attacked German targets in the south of the continent.

The following aircraft were lost in 44: 11 B-24 LIBERATOR - 13 B-26 MARAUDER - 5 VULTEE VENGEANCE - 3 B-25 MITCHELL - 12 PBM MARINER - 17 LOCKHEED PV 1 VENTURA - 4 GRUMMAN AVENGER - 8 0S2U-3 OS2N-1 KINGFISHER - 2 C-54 SKYMASTER - 3 A-30 BALTIMORE - 7 C-47 SKYTRAIN - 3 A-20 HAVOC - 1 PIPER GRASSSHOPPER - 3 BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS - 3 DOUGLAS A-26 INVADER - 4 CURTISS C-46 COMMANDO - 6 CURTISS SB2C-1C HELLDIVER - 7 PBY5-A CATALINA - 5 TBM WILDCAT - 1 C-87 LIBERATOR EXPRESS - 1 GRUMMAN GOOSE - 1 GOODYEAR ZNP-K BLIMP

02 JAN 44. CONSOLIDATED PB4-Y LIBERATOR BuNo 32065

After eight and one-half-hours of patrol on 2 January 1944, this VB-107 aircraft (exUSAAF B24D 42-40576), flown by Lt Robert T. Johson, flew by Ascension Island to investigate a blockade runner, the SS Weserland, which as it turned out had been the ship that had damaged Liutenant Taylor’s aircraft on the previous day. The ship opened fire, hitting outboard of #4 engine causing a slight gas leak, which the pilot later reported had stopped. However unknown to the crew, the gas leak was not slight and it had stopped because the tank was running out of fuel. Lt Johnson elected to remain on station until relief by another squadron aircraft was iminnent, then later reported that he had two engine failures, that he was running out of fuel, losing altitude and preparing to ditch.

His last transmission indicated three engines lost. None of the crew survived. Arriving squadron aircraft stayed on station until USS Sommers (DD-381) arrived to sink the SS Weserland  by gunfire. The ship was headed for Germany with a load of crude rubber from the Far East. George Brownlee, Jr., the pilot of another squadron aircraft, was able to add to the story. “We were maintaining a blockade across the South Atlantic for the purpose of stopping four German raiders en route from Japan to Germany with essential war materials. Incidentally all four raiders were destroyed. In returning to the base that night the last contact we had (with Lt Johnson’s aircraft) indicated that they were 70 miles from Ascension Island, flying 600 feet with only one engine remaining. My plane was flying about 15 minutes behind this aircraft and sighted flares which they dropped in attempting a forced landing at sea about 10 o’clock at night. We searched for them as long as possible but since our gas supply was low it was imperative that we proceed to our base.

We searched for several weeks for the survivors. You may rest assured that everything possible was done to find them. There is no doubt in my mind that the whole crew was killed instantly. Crew killed: Pilot Lt Robert L. Johson, A-V(N) USNR; ENS James H. Wells, USNR; ENS John D. Cowan, USNR; ENS Eugene Poweres, A-V(S) USNR; AMM2c Russel L. Hamilton; RM2c William B. Winter; AOM3c Edward J. Fisher; AMM3c Donald W. Carpente; RM3c Joslyn E. Simpson; and S2c George E. Roper, V-6 USNR.  

04 JAN 44. DOUGLAS B 26B-MA MARAUDER BuNo 95945

(Air Transport Command) in landing accident at Atkinson Field, British Guiana Jan 4, 1944 while on ferry flight.  All crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.  

04 JAN 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 48774

48774 to RAF as Ventura GR.V JS955.  Wrecked Jan 4, 1944 when skidded off runway and undercarriage collapsed, Atkinson field, , British Guiana Jan 4, 1944   

04 JAN 44. CURTISS  SB2C-1C HELLDIVER BuNo 18488.

18488 (VB-13) stalled on takeoff from USS Franklin (CV-13) off Trinidad in South Atlantic 4/1/1944.

05 JAN 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 48738

On 5 January 1944 VB-131’s Lt Kern and his crew of five crashed during an early morning take-off, resulting in the loss of all hands. The crash occurred at 02:07Q 1500 feet east of the East-West runway of Zandery Field, Surinam. Take-off was under normal conditions and the real cause of the accident was never determined. As part of their mission they were carrying 11 bombs. Crew killed: Pilot LtJg Byron Charles Kern, A-V(N), USNR; ENS Frank Evarts Mills, A-V(N) USNR; AOM1c Wade Vernon Allen, USNR; ARM2c Manuel Ventura Garcia, USNR; AMM2c Harry Mason Purtell, Jr., USN; and a passenger by the name of AMM2c Marvin Buel Pixley, USNR.  

09 JAN 44. FORD B-24H-15-FO BuNo 42-52349

52349 lost Jan 9, 1944, South Atlantic.  (missing air crew report) MACR 1484

12 JAN 44. MARTIN B26B-50-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-95948

95948 (Air Transport Command) in ground accident at Roberts Field, Liberia Jan 12, 1944 while on ferry flight. All crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.  

12 JAN 44.  MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 6644

On 12 JAN 44 VP-211 suffered its first operational loss during a training exercise off Aratu Brazil, when Ensign Donahue and crew of P-8 dropped a Mark 37 650-lb. Depth charge from too low na altitude. The munition exploded near the tail, causing the plane to catch fire, crash and sink. Crew P-4 landed immediately and rescued two officers and three men-all critically injured from the water. Crew P-4 (BuNo 6724) also dropped a life raft and searched with no success for the missing crew-the pilot ENS Donahue, the Co-Pilot ENS Rowe, and crewmembers Mc Grath, Livanis and Obedyne. Crew killed: Pilot ENS Thomas Donahue, A-V(N) USNR; Co-Pilot ENS Frederick A. Rowe, III , A-V(N) USNR; AMM2c William John McGrath, V-6 USNR and AOM3c Stephen Eli Obydine, V-6 USNR.  

17 JAN 44. GOODYEAR ZNP-K BuNo 30158

30158 (K-36) envelope D-203, control car C-94, control surfaces F0142, delivered to Lakehurst Feb 2, 1943, assigned to ZP-14 at Seeksville.  Forced to land at Norfolk, its fuel exhausted.  Landed in sea upon landing approach at Weeksville Jul 8, 1943.  Rebuilt, assigned to Brazil with ZP-42 and on Jan 8, 1944 searched for lifeboats from German blockade runner Burgenland that had been scuttled after attack by the USS Omaha.  Located 3 lifeboats and survivors were rescued by USS Marblehead. Grounded and deflated in trees in fog near Cabo Frio Jan 17, 1944. Assigned to ZP-38 at NAS Moffett Field, CA, named "Hawk Shaw"

17 JAN 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 48816 

48816 to RAF as Ventura GR.V JT801.  Missing during ferry flight from Zandery airfield, Paramaribo, to Val de Cans airfield, Belem Jan 17, 1944.  Wreckage eventually found 100 mi SE of Amapa 

22 JAN 44. MITCHELL B-25D BuNo 45-3633

Lost in the state of  Amapa Northern Brazil *  

22 JAN 44. CONSOLIDATED B 24J-90-CO LIBERATOR BUNo 42-100307

(4th BG) lost Jan 22, 1944, Pici field, Fortaleza, Brazil.  MACR  

23 JAN 44. MARTIN B-26 B-MA MARAUDER BuNo 95975

(Air Transport Command) in taxiing accident at Val de Caes Belem, Brazil Jan 23, 1944 while on ferry flight.  All crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.  

23 JAN 44. VOUGHT SIKORSKI OS2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo FN721

(09554) returned to USN Oct 1, 1943.  To VCS-2 attached to USS Cincinnati (CL-6) lost off Recife, Brazil Nov 23, 1944.

27 JAN 44. DOUGLAS C-54 SKYMASTER BuNo 41-37292

37292 (MSN 3083/DO25) crashed on takeoff at Accra, BWA (Gold Coast, Jan 27, 1944. 

29 JAN 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 48670

To RAF as Ventura GR.V JS900.  Wrecked when swung on takeoff and undercarriage collapsed at Val de Cans airfield, Belem, Brazil Jan 29, 1944 

29 JAN 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 48793

48793 to RAF as Ventura GR.V JS971.  Destroyed by fire after swung on takeoff and undercarriage collapsed at Val de Cans airfield, Belem Jan 29, 1944          

31 JAN 44. MARTIN B-26C-45-MO MARAUDER BuNo 42-107594

107594 (12th Ferry Squadron, 2nd Ferrying Group, Air Transport Command) in landing accident at Atkinson Field, British Guiana while on ferry flight Jan 31, 1944. All crew survived, but aircraft was destroyed.            

01 FEB 44. MARTIN A-30A-25-MA BALTIMORE BuNo 43-8797

43-8797 to RAF as Baltimore V FW640. Crashed after being abandoned during ferry flight after engine cut, Marajo Island, NW from Val de Cans Airfield, Belem, Brazil  

07 FEB 44. VOUGHT-SIKORSKI OS2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo 5343

Bureau Number 5343.  Squadron VCS-2.  On 25 February 1943 this OS2U-3, stationed aboard USS Milwaukee (CL-5), while on an operational flight in the Southern Atlantic, suffered a landing accident requiring a major overhaul of the plane.  The Pilot was Lt.(jg) A. G. Maxwell.  No damage to the plane was reported in Milwaukee’s War Diary; however, on this date Milwaukee moored port-side to Berth #9, Bahia, Brazil, and probably unloaded the damaged plane because it was later found to be attached to the Fleet Air Wing 16 Headquarters Squadron (HEDRON, FAW-16) at Natal, Brazil.

(HEDRON, FAW-16) On 7 February 1944 this same OS2U-3 was being ferried from NAF Natal, Brazil, to NAF Recife, Brazil, when it suffered another landing accident, again resulting in the need for a major overhaul.  Pilot was Thomas L. Curphey (who served in VP-211 from January 1944 to June 1945); Observer was W. H. Barker.

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

08 FEB 44. CONSOLIDATED B-24H LIBERATOR BuNo 41-29293

Lost at Fortaleza, Pici Field.  

15 FEB 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34586

(VB-131) made emergency landing at Zandery Field, Surinam Feb 15, 1944 due to hydraulic failure. Plane was damaged, but crew was OK  

16 FEB 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 48817

48817 to RAF as Ventura GR.V JT802. Crashed on takeoff at Takoradi, Golden Coast, Feb 16, 1944         

17 FEB 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33351

On 17 February 1944, Lt Nafe, one of VB-131’s more popular officers, was making a test hop out of Zandery Field, Surinam (Dutch Guiana), in an aircraft that had been experiencing maintenance difficulties. On board as crew he HEDRON 11 along for the test flight. The pilot radioed that he had a mechanical problem, then the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the jungle three miles NE of the base with a loss of all hands. A rescue party was immediately dispatched to the crash but there was difficulty in getting there due to the density of the jungle in the vicinity.

One of the search parties , consisting of 8 Navy and 10 Army personnel, spent an uncomfortable night in the jungle, being unable to beat their way out of the jungle before darkness. Rather than take the chance of becoming separated in the complete blackness encountered, they decided to camp until daylight when they all returned to base safely except for minor scratches sustained from the heavy brush. Crew lost: Pilot Lt Malcom Elliot Nafe, A-V(N) USNR; ARM3c William Joseph Schofield, USN (VB- 131); ACMM Lioneli Oswald Turcotte, USN (HEDRON 11); and ART1c Roland (n)  Cardone, USNR (HEDRON 11).

18 FEB 44. MARTIN A30A-B25-MA BALTIMORE BuNo 8837

8837 to RAF as Baltimore V FW680.  Destroyed by fire after bouncing on landing and stalling, Val de Caes, airfield, Brazil Feb 18, 1944

19 FEB 44. CURTISS SB2C-1C HELLDIVER BuNo 18227

18227 (VB-14) attached to USS Wasp (CV-18) lost off Trinidad in South Atlantic Feb 19, 1944

20 FEB 44. MARTIN B-26B-55MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-96130

96130 (Air Transport Command) lost over South Atlantic during ferry flight Feb 20, 1944 from Ascension Island to 
Roberts Field, Liberia.MACR 3006(missing air crew report) All 5 crew killed.

21 FEB 44. DOUGLAS C-47A-75DL SKYTRAIN BuNo 42-100848

100848 (MSN 19311) to USAAF Dec 21, 1943.  94th Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group, I Troop Carrier Command, Baer Field, Fort Wayne, IN 1Feb44. Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, FL Feb 44. Ferried overseas via the South Atlantic/African route departing Morrison Field Feb 44.

Routed via Borinquen Field, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Atkinson Field, Georgetown, British Guyana; Val de Cans Field, Belém, Brazil; Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil; Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Lost at sea in a thunderstorm north of Ascension Island enroute to Senegal, Africa 21Feb44. Condemned 1Mar44.

22 FEB 44. MARTIN A30A-B25-MA BALTIMORE BuNo 43-8850

43-8850 to RAF as Baltimore V FW693.  Missing between Zandery and Sao Luis, Brazil Feb 22, 1944

23 FEB 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33384

At 09:40Q on 23 Feb 1944 this VB-131 plane was cleared for take-off out of Zandery Field, Surinam, and just as the plane was about to become airborne the starboard engine failed. The pilot immediately throttled back and due to the nature of the terrain off the end of the runway, the pilot deliberately ground-looped. Considerable damage was sustained by the plane but there were no injuries. While the senior pilot listed was a LtJg John P. Barber, it appears ENS Charles M. Thomas was at the controls. 

28 FEB 44. CONSOLIDATED B-24H LIBERATOR BuNo 42-52645

(484th BG) lost at Pici Airfield, Fortaleza, Brazil during transit Feb 28, 1944. MACR 2623 

29 FEB 44. NORTH AMERICAN B-24G-5-NT BuNo 42-78126

78126 (464th BG, 778th BS) crashed 22 mi S of Georgetown, British Guiana Feb 29, 1944 due to fuel exhaustion.
5 killed, 5 injured.

01 MAR 44. DOUGLAS A20G-35-DO HAVOC 10040

Ditched at sea off Brazil Mar 1, 1944.  Crew saved.  

02 MAR 44. MARTIN B-26B-55-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42- 96159

(Air Transport Command) crashed on takeoff at Val de Caes airfield, Belem, Brazil Mar 2, 1944 while on ferry flight. All crew survived, but aircraft was destroyed. 

04 MAR 44. NORTH AMERICAN B-24G-5-NT LIBERATOR BuNo 42-78130

78130 to RFC at Altus Oct 16, 1945. I have a report that the plane was bellylanded 30 mi SW of Belem, Brazil due to fuel exhaustion Mar 4, 1944 with 464th BG

24 MAR 44. PIPER O-59A GRASSHOPPER BuNo 42-36687

36687 (MSN 8811) 6th Air Force; Headquarters, 99th Service Group; ditched engine failure 6 miles SE of Port of Spain, 
Trinidad 24 Feb 43; 551st Service Squadron, 347th Service Group; damaged when force landed due to engine failure 
near Atkinson Field, British Guiana 24 Mar 44

25 MAR 44. GRUMMAN TBF 1-C AVENGER BuNo 24295

24295 (VC-9) hit ramp landing USS Solomons and crashed off Recife, Brazil 25 March 1944; one dead  

02 APR 44. MARTIN B26B-50-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-95951

(Air Transport Command) in landing accident at Roberts Field, Liberia Apr 2, 1944 while on ferry flight.  All crew survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.  

05 APR 44. DOUGLAS A-20G HAVOC BuNo 43-21343

Lost at Natal Parnamirim Field.

05 APR 44. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 01661

On 05 Apr 1944 this VP-203 PBM-3C was taking off from Rio Potengi (Potengi River) near Natal, Brazil. In doing so they had to follow a bend in the river before having enough speed to take-off. As they rounded the bend they hit a small boat which cause a minor damage to the plane. Any minor damage that occurred in hitting the small boat on 5 April 44 had been repaired and BuNo 01661 was again on a training mission. On 20 September 44 it was practicing full-stall landings in Bahia Bay at Aratu, Brazil, when the final landing landed too hard, resulting in major damage to the plane.  

11 APR 44. MARTIN B26F-2-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-96346

42-96346 to RAF as Marauder III HD419.  Crashed in jungle near Atkinson Field, British Guiana Apr 11, 1944 after engine cut on takeoff.  

11 APR 44. FORD B-24H-25-FO LIBERATOR BuNo 42-95064

Crashed in northern Brazil Apr 11, 1944. Aircraft took off from Trinidad to Val de Cans airfield, Belem. MACR 3500 and 3631. Aircraft and crew remains were located Jul 1995. A team of Americans and Brazilians excavated the wreckage of the plane for about two weeks in a clearing in the forest, in the region of the Caciporé River, in the interior of Amapá. The remains of the plane are still there.There is not much left of the United States Army Air Corps four-engine B-24H Liberator. The crash with the forest, the explosion and the fire shattered the plane. The crew must have died instantly. The rescue team found thousands of pieces of charred bones from the crew. The larger ones are a few inches. “Most of the remains were burned. The bones are white, which indicates that they burned at very high temperatures," says William Grant, an archaeologist at the US Army Central Identification Laboratory and a member of the rescue team. 

Many of those planes went to Europe and Africa, passing through Brazil. That's what B-24 number 42-95064 tried to do, from the 778th Squadron of the 464th Bomber Group. The plane had left the base of Waller Field, in Trinidad, in the Caribbean, bound for Val de Cans airfield, Belem, on April 11, 1944. It took off in the morning at 06:09 local time. It had fuel to fly for 14 hours. The trip to Brazil should take seven and a half hours. At 09:52, the pilot radioed for weather information. A station in French Guiana forwarded the request, but the plane did not acknowledge receipt. He could be having communication difficulties caused by bad weather. Or it could have even crashed at that point. The exact reason for the fall of the B-24 in Amapa is and will remain a mystery. In May 1944, an Indian had informed the authorities that he knew the location of the crash and that he had seen bodies around the plane, but he disappeared when asked to bring some proof of what he was saying. It was only in the 90s that the B-24 was found again, by miners who located the remains in the Cacipore River. 

The American team already knew the names of the ten crew members before they even reached the clearing. All dogtags with their names were found. But they prefer not to disclose them before families are informed of the rescue and to identify the bodies. The fact that the bones are charred indicates that it will be impossible to extract DNA (genetic material) from them, which could help to identify each of the bomber's crew. The only material that still allows individual identification are the approximately 70 teeth found, by comparison with the aviators' dental records.

13 APR 43. DOUGLAS C-47A-15-DK SKYTRAIN

92866 (MSN 12714) to USAAF 09Mar44.  8th AF 08Apr44.  9th AF 31Jul44.  Europe 30Apr47. Oberpfaff 04May48  Rhein Main 01Jun48.  Whellus AFB 07Dec48.  Westover 1600 TSCP 30Aug49.  Brookby 1601 TSP 20Sep49  SOC (struck off charge) 13Feb50.  Also listed as w/o Apr 13, 1944 in Natal, Brazil on ferry flight.

15 APR 44. DOUGLAS C-47A-15-DK SKYTRAIN BuNo 42-92848

92848 (MSN 12694) to USAAF 6 Mar 44. Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, FL Apr 44. Ferried overseas via the South Atlantic/African route departing Morrison Field Apr 44. Routed via Borinquen Field, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Atkinson Field, Georgetown, British Guyana; Val de Cans Field, Belém, Brazil; Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil. Lost at sea in the South Atlantic 300 miles west of Ascension Island 15 Apr 44. Condemned 15 Apr 44.

18 APR 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33457

On 18 April 1944 the VB-143 pilot was returning to NAF Ipitanga (Bahia, Brazil) from a training mission when he landed and the plane ground-looped, the plane suffering some damage although the crew was unhurt. The plane was later seen with VPB-199 on 24 October 1944. Crew: Howard M. Turner, Jr.; LtJg Robert C. Gardemal, USNR, R. S. Davies. In early March 1945 this squadron ferried BuNo 33457 from Kaneohe , HI, to Manus, and turned it over to the proper authorities there before procceding to Tacloban, Philippines, as passengers on a MATS aircraft.

20 APR 44. GRUMMAN TBF 1-C AVENGER BuNo 48090

48090 (VC-9) attached to USS Solomons (CVE-67) lost off Brazil in south Atlantic Apr 20, 1944                                                 

21 APR 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34941

On 21 April 1944 this VB-143 aircraft took off from NAF Ipitanga Field, Bahia, Brazil, to participate in a convoy coverage mission and on their return to base suffered fuel exhaustion. The entire crew successfully bailed out approximately 4 miles SE of Sao Roque some 30 miles from Ipitanga Field. Fleet Air Wing 16 (FAW-16) War Diary: The plane of VB-143 which Peterson, Moluskey and crew bailed out successfully west of Bahia last Friday (crash)-landed near the town of St. Roque some 30 miles due west-northwest Ipitanga Field. Little left of Baker 11 except a few spare parts but no one was hurt and no civilian property damaged.

Our lates member of the Caterpillar Club are now reported to be getting their breath back and that goes for us too. NOTE: The Caterpillar Club Originated in 1922 and is an informal association of people who have successfully used a parachute to bail out a disabled aircraft. Parachutes are made from silk and the club’s motto is Life depends on a silken thread. Crew: Pilot Lt John B. Peterson; Co-pilot Carl F. Moluskey, ARM2c Thomas M. Garret, USNR; Frank R. Wolimena; and AMM2c Walter R Karns, USNR   

23 APR 44. MARTIN B26F-2-MA MARAUDER BuNo 42-96359

42-96359 to RAF as Marauder III HD432.  Crashed on takeoff from Accra, Gold Coast Apr 23, 1944  

23 APR 44. DOUGLAS A20B - DL HAVOC BuNo 41- 3132

(379th BG) lost Apr 23, 1944, South Atlantic

30 APR 44. MARTIN B26F-2-MA MARAUDER BuNo 96362

96362 to RAF as Marauder III HD435. Crashed on takeoff from Accra, Gold Coast Apr 30, 1944                                        

3 MAY 44. NORTH AMERICAN B-25G MITCHELL BuNo 42-32464

Lost May 3, 1944 in Brazil. MACR 4381  

9 MAY 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 48907

48907 (VB-127) w/o (written-off) 9-May-44 off Natal, Brazil.  Ditched.

10 MAY 44. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5ª CATALINA BuNo 46520

Getting away from the frigid cold of Alaska, and only two weeks after arriving for duty at Belem, Brazil, in 1944, VP-45 lost its Commanding Officer and his entire crew plus two Navy supply Corps officerson na administrative flight from Val de Cans Field to Recife, Brazil. The purpose of the flight was fo LCDR Calder Atkinson to personally report to Commander Fleet Air Wing Sixteen, and to obtain needed material for the squadron. The flight took off at 07:10(local time) on 10 May 1944 and was last heard from at 12:52, about ten miles west of Fortaleza. The crash site was located about forty miles west of Natal, Brazil; the plane was demolished and all aboard perished at the site.

Weather conditions were reported to be showers; lower clouds 6/10ths cumulus tops to 9,000; top clouds 6/10ths stratus tops to 10,000; wind from 150, 10 knots. Crew: Pilot LCDR Calder Atkinson, USN; Co-Pilot LTJG George Prescott Shaw, A-V (N) USNR; ENS Philly Bernard Meerians, A-V (S) USNR; LT John Weaver Shoyer, SC-V(S) USNR (passenger); LTJG James Alexander Thompson, SC-V(S) USNR, AMM3c Ezra Clyde Wagner, USN, USN; AMM2c Arthur John Ford, USN; AOM3c Ben “L” Davis, V-6 USNR; ARM2c Vernon Clayton Beck, V-6 USNR; and ARM3c Robert Irvin Joy, V-6 USNR.  

16 MAY 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34736

On 16 May 1944 one of the aircraft in the VB-147 Zandery Field detachment, flying out of NAAF Carlsen Field (Trinidad), became disoriented in a severe electrical storm at night. After fuel was exhausted the pilot had the crew parachute into the jungle below. The pilot followed after pointing the aircraft seaward and setting the autopilot. All parachuted safely, except for one member of the crew who had a broken rib. Ironically, the first aid kit caused the injury, when the crewman fell on it upon impact the ground. The crew was picked up shortly after reaching the ground but the pilot wandered about in the jungle for seven days before being rescued.

The unmanned aircraft crashed somewhere around 03°45’00”N 051°08’00”W in French Guiana. Crew: Pilot Lt Stuart C. Wahlberg; Joseph B. Greenhaw; Joe B. Smith; Kelly S. McGaha; and Curtis R. Dowdy.  

19 MAY 44. CONSOLIDATED B-24H BuNo 42-95292

Crashed at Natal*  

24 MAY 44. NORTH AMERICAN B-24G-10-NT BuNo 42-78300

78300 lost May 24, 1944, South Atlantic. (missing air crew report) MACR 4672

27 MAY 44. CURTISS C-46A 40-CU COMMANDO BuNo 42-61058

(MSN 26933) crashed 3/4 mile past end of runway May 27, 1944 shortly after takeoff from Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil.  Pilot and copilot killed, other 3 on board injured. 

28 MAY 44. VOUGHT SIKORSKI 0S2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo 5880

Bureau Number 5880.  VJ Squadron, HEDRON, FAW-16.  On 28 May 1944 this OS2U-3, flying out of Ibura Field, Brazil, was on a weather mission when it suffered a take-off accident at Recife, Brazil.  The plane required major overhaul.  The Pilot was A. T. MacDonald; the Observer was E. Willner.

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

28 MAY 44. MARTIN PBM 3-C MARINER BuNo 01696

01696 (VP-208) ran aground while taxiing near Brazilian Airline Panair dock at Victoria, Brazil May 28, 1944.  Only minor damage. SOC (struck off charge) San Juan, Puerto Rico Jun 23, 1945   

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

06 JUN 44. DOUGLAS A20J-20-DO HAVOC BuNo 43-22071

22071 damaged in forced landing at Belem-Val de Cans, Brazil Jun 6 1944.  

06 JUN 44. NORTH AMERICAN B-25J 1 NC MITCHELL BuNo 43-3974

Crashed at Parnamirim field, Natal Jun 6 1944.  

15 JUN 44. GENERAL MOTORS FM-2 WILDCAT BuNo 16187

16187 (VC-9) attached to USS Solomons (CVE-67) lost off NAF Recife in south Atlantic Jun 15, 1944  

15 JUN 44. GENERAL MOTORS FM-2 WILDCAT BuNo 16234

16234 (VC-9) attached to USS Solomons (CVE-67) lost off NAF Recife in south Atlantic Jun 15, 1944  

16 JUN 44. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 6552

On 16 Jun 1944 BuNo 6552 was being taxied near NAF Aratu, Brazil,when it hit a Higgins boat, causing minor damage.  

17 JUN 44. BOEING B-29-15-BW SUPERFORTRESS BuNo 42-6383

6383 Delivered to USAAF 14 Mar 44.  Assigned to 40th Bomb Group, Herington, KS, Jun 44. Ditched in ocean off coast of Africa during ferry flight enroute to India via Roberts Field, Liberia, Jun 17, 1944.  Crew survived.

17 JUN 44. DOUGLAS C-47A-35-DL BuNo 42-23906

23906 (MSN 9768) to USAAF Jun 26, 1943.  To RAF as Dakota III FD 935 Jul 5, 1943. 44 Sqdn SAAF. Crashed Jun 17, 
1944, Takoradi, Gold Coast

19 JUN 44. CURTISS SB2C-3 HELLDIVER BuNo 18928

18928 (VB-7) attached to USS Hancock (CV-19) lost off Trinidad in South Atlantic Jun 19, 1944

27 JUN 44. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 6632

On 27 June 1944 na engine fire in BuNo 6632 force LT Jones to make an emergency landing 8 miles offshore NE from Ipitanga Field, Bahia. The plane sank but all hands were rescued.  

29 JUN 44. CURTISS SB2C-3 HELLDIVER BuNO 18694

18694 (VB-80) attached to USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) lost off Trinidad in South Atlantic Jun 29, 1944.
Crew rescued.

03 JUL 44. MARTIN PBM 3-C MARINER BuNo 6571

6571 (VP-74) lost in action with enemy submarine off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 3/4 Jul 1944. 10 crew killed.

16 JUL 44. VULTEE A-35 VENGEANCE Buno 42-101419

Crashed at Amapa State Nw of Belem 101419 force landed due to engine failure at Amapa, Brazil Jul 16, 1944. Remained on USAAF charge.  

19 JUL 44. MARTIN B-26C-45-MO MARAUDER BuNo 42-107552

107552 (Air Transport Command) in landing accident at Parnamirim field, Natal, Brazil Jul 19, 1944 while on ferry flight.  All crew survived, but aircraft was destroyed.

20 JUL 44. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 6679

20 Jul 1944. The squadron’s second operational loss ocurred when Lieutenant Livio DeBonis and his crew failed to return from a routine patrol. A Merchant ship later confirmed that an aircraft crashed and burned, with no survivors, at coordinates matching DeBonis patrol sector. Crew: Pilot LT Livio Debonis; ENS Paul Bishop Blair; ENS Robert James Moots; ARM2c John Charles Bacon; ARM3c Martin Stanislaus Beamko; AM2c Dominic John Campagna; AMM2c Granvelle Sanford Holt; AOM2c Wilmer John Kamp; AMM1c James Worth Reece; and S1c Willie Joe Cameron.  

21 JUL 44. MARTIN PBM-3R BuNo 6474

On 21 Jul 1944 this PBM-3R, attached to the VR-6 Naval Air Transport Squadron, sank at the ramp of NAF Belem, Brazil. The aircraft was refloated and repaired, only to the further damaged in November. On 9 November 1944 this PBM-3R ran aground at Coco Solo, Canal zone. There were no injuries to personnel, the hull suffered major damage, necessitating the aircraft to be transferred to the A&R Shop at Coco Solo for repairs.  

21 JUL 44. GENERAL MOTORS FM-2 WILDCAT BuNo 16001

16001 (VC-9) attached to USS Solomons (CVE-67) lost off NAF Recife in south Atlantic Jul 21, 1944  

22 JUL 44. Douglas R4D-5 BuNo 17128

17128 (MSN 12264) ex USAAF 42-92461.  To US Navy Jan 14, 1944. Olathe Jan 14, 1944  VR-7.  W/O (written-off) Jul 22, 1944 when hit high ground between Recife and Maceio, Brazil  

23 JUL 44. VULTEE A35B-VN VENGEANCE BuNo 42-101446

101446 damaged in landing accident at Vitoria, southeastern Brazil Jul 23, 1944.  

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

30 JUL 44. CONSOLIDATED C-87-CF LIBERATOR EXPRESS BuNo 24139

24139 (MSN 934) lost July 30, 1944, Berbice River, British Guiana. Missing Air Crew Reports (MACR) 6614 

31 JUL 44. GENERAL MOTORS FM-2 WILDCAT BuNo 15990

15990 (VC-9) attached to USS Solomons (CVE-67) lost off NAF Recife in south Atlantic Jul 31, 1944   

03 AUG 44. CONSOLIDATED PB4-Y LIBERATOR BuNo 32249

On 3 August 1944, VB-107’s BuNo 32249

(ex-USAAF B-24J 42-100419) was on a navigational training flight. Upon landing at Fortaleza Adjacento Field, Brazil, the tires blew out and the plane suffered minor damage repairable at the squadron level. Investigation found that the pilot landed with the parking brake on. In May 1945 the squadron later turned the plane over to FAW-7 HEDRON who declared it obsolete and stripped it for parts. The plane was Struck Off Charge (SOC) on 30 June 1945. 

05 AUG 44. MARTIN B-26G-5-MA MARAUDER BuNo 43-34385

34385 (Air Transport Command) crash landed at Roberts Field, Liberia during bad weather Aug 5, 1944 during ferry 
flight. All crew survived, but aircraft was destroyed.

06 AUG 44. GENERAL MOTORS  TBM-1C AVENGER BuNo 46263

46263 (VC-6) attached to USS Tripoli (CVE-64) lost off Brazil Aug 6, 1944.  

10 AUG 44. BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS BuNo 42-24482

24482 Delivered to USAAF 24May44. Destroyed in takeoff accident 3 1/2 mi SSE of Natal, Brazil Aug 10, 1944.  All crew killed. The aircraft outbound for Accra, Gold Coast en-route to join 58th Bomb Wing, Chengtu, China 

16 AUG 44. GENERAL MOTORS TBM-1C AVENGER BuNo 45878

45878 (VC-6) attached to USS Tripoli (CVE 64) lost off Recife, Brazil Aug 16, 1944. 

18 AUG 44. DOUGLAS C-47-DL BuNo 41-38584

38584 (MSN 4533) to USAAF Jul 19, 1942 - Operated by Pan American Airways Jul 22, 1942 -Accra Dec 28, 1942 -
Central Africa Wing ATC May 29, 1943.  Lost Aug 18, 1944, Africa. MACR 7860 Condemned Aug 23, 1944. 

22 AUG 44. MARTIN B-26G-10-MA MARAUDER BuNo 43-34468

34468 to RAF as Marauder III HD605.  Destroyed by fire when undershot landing and undercarriage collapsed, 
Ascension Island, Aug 22, 1944

24 AUG 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34654

34654 (VB-145) w/o 24-Aug-44 during convoy patrol.  Fuel exhaustion, force-landed on beach on coast of Brazil 70 mi S of Fortaleza.  Only one crew member injured, all exited the aircraft and were later picked up.  

27 AUG 44. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5A CATALINA BuNo 33961

On 27 August 1944, while on a training flight from the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, VP-45’s LtJg Emory became lost while practicing on instruments and flying above a .5 overcast on Fernando de Noronha Radio Range. It became necessary to instigate a forced landing due to the fuel exhaustion and being lost. The plane sustained such severe damage on its hull that the plane sank twenty minutes after it landed. The crew were safely rescued. Crew: Pilot LtJg Jerome C. Emory, A-V(N) USNR; Co-Pilot ENS S. Rodney A. Rice, A-V(N) USNR; AMM1c Richard Perry, USN; RMM2c Thomas E. McMahon, USNR; and AOM2c Gregory P. Klodzinski, USNR.  

27 AUG 44. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5 CATALINA BuNo 33961        

33961 (CAC s/n 1345, seq no t002, Hull #1515) (VP-45) force-landed and sank 160 mi off Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil 8/27/1944. Crew of 5 rescued.  

27 AUG 44. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5 CATALINA BuNo 33961

When on a training flight from the island of Fernando Noronha, Brazil, LtJg Emory became lost while practicing on instruments and flying above a .5 overcast on the Fernando Noronha Radio Range. It became necessary to instigate a forced landing due to fuel exaustion and being lost. The plane sustained such severe damage on its hull that the plane sank twenty minutes after it landed. The crew were safely rescued. Crew: Pilot LtJg Jerome C. Emory, A-V(N) USNR; Co-Pilot ENS S. Rodney A. Richard. A-V (N) USNR; AMM1c Richard Perry, USN; RM2c Thomas E. McMahon, USNR; and AOM2c Gregory P. Klodzinski, USNR. 

28 AUG 44. LOCKHEED PV-3 VENTURA BuNo 34654

On 28 August 1944 VB-145’s LtJg C. W. Bleicher and his crew were returning from a convoy patrol and lost their bearings while en route to base due to radio compass failure. With only a few minutes of fuel left, the pilot set the Ventura down in shallow water off the beach approximately 70 miles south of Fortaleza, Brazil. Only one crew member was injured in the crash and all exited the aircraft safely. An Army B-25 spotted the wreckage 10 minutes later and the crew was eventually rescued.                 

31 AUG 44. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 6726

On 31 August 1944 VP-211’s Aircraft P-3, piloted by Lt Lind, from NAF Natal, Brazil, departed on na operational flight in search of survivors from a VP-45 PBY that went down at sea. BuNo 6726 found them, landed at sea and picked up all survivors without loss of any personnel. Because of extreme sea conditions, and the added weight of the survivors, LtJg Rohrs was unable to take-off and was forced to transfer the survivors and all crewmembers to USS Matagorda (AVP-22), which also took the plane in tow. During the towing operation to Fortaleza the plane sank at sea. Reports that the plane sank after collision with na unknown obstacle are in error. Crew: Pilot Lt Robert Henry Lind, USNR; Co-Pilot LtJg John Anthony Carrol, USNR; ENS Edmund Francis Burke, USNR; AOM1c Thomas E. Poquette, V-2 USNR; ARM2c Edward A. Crawford, V-6 USNR and ARM3c Samuel B. Tipton, USN.

The Secretary of the Navy ADM James Forrestal, wrote a letter of condolence to the parentes of LtJg Carrol as shown here: “Your son, Lieutenant (junior grade) John Anthony Carrol, United States Naval Reserve, has been carried on the oficial records of the Navy Department in the status of missin as of 2 November 1944. The plane your son was aboard departed from NAF Natal, Brazil, on a routine night training flight to Aratu, Bahia, Brazil. An unexpected storm struck Aratu approximately seventeen minutes ahead of the estimated time of arrival of the plane. The unfavorable weather conditions continued for about two hours.

A message was sent to the plane indicanting that the base was temporarily closed and that they should not attemp a landing. All attemps to contact the plane were unsuccessful. Thorough search operations were conducted by all squadrons in the area, but no trace of your son could be found. In view of the Strong probability that the plane in which your son was flying crashed at sea due to unfavorable weather conditions, and that he lost  his life as a result thereof, because the area where the probable crash occurred was known and was available to a prompt and exhaustive search which was made without success, and in view of the length of time that has elapsed since he was reported to be missing, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that he is deceased In compliance with Section 5 Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, the death of your son is, for the purpose of termination of pay and allowances, settlement of accounts, and payment of death gratuities, presumed to have occurred on 22 November 1945, which is the day following the expiration of twelve months in the missing status. I know of little solace the formal and written word can be to help to meet the burden of your loss, but in spite of that knowledge, I cannot refrain from saying very simply, that I am sorry. It is hoped that you may find comfort in the thought that your son gave his life for his country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy.  

14 SEP 44. GRUMMAN OA-13A GOOSE BuNo 42-38214

38214 (MSN 1058) ex NC3021.  Impressed Nov 29, 1941.  w/o (written-off) in landing accident at Monrovia, Liberia 
Sep 14, 1944 while in Pan American service.

20 SEP 44. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 01661

01661 (VP-203) suffered minor damage when hit small boat while taxiing in Potengi River, near Natal, Brazil Apr 5, 1944.  Suffered major damage in hard landing on Todos os Santos Bay, Aratu seaplane base, Brazil Sep 20, 1944.  Struck Off Charge (SOC) Jun 21, 1945  

21 SEP 44. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 01656

01656 assigned to FAW-11 lost off Brazil Sep 21, 1944.

30 SEP 44. VOUGHT-SIKORSKI OS2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo 5847.

Bureau Number 5847.  VJ Squadron, HEDRON, FAW-16.  On 30 September 1944 this OS2U-3, located at Ibura Field, Recife, Brazil, was on a familiarization flight when it suffered a taxiing accident which result in substantial damage to the plane.  The Pilot was Maurice D. Barrett; the Observer was William A. Stivers.

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

05 OCT 44. CONSOLIDATED PBY 5A CATALINA BuNo 46520

46520 (CAC no 1714, Seq no. t371, Hull # 1884) (VP-45) crashed 40 mi W of Natal, Brazil 5/10/1944.  10 killed.  

09 OCT 1944. CURTISS C-46A-35-CU BuNo 42-3655

3655 (MSN 26788) with 1202nd AAFBU crashed Oct 9, 1944 near Accra, Gold Coast, British West Africa.

09 OCT 44. DOUGLAS A26B-15-DT INVADER BuNo 43-22333

22333 (33rd BG) lost Oct 9, 1944, South Atlantic.  Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 8876

10 OCT 44. GENERAL MOTORS FM-2 WILDCAT BuNo 47248

47248 assigned to FAW-16 lost off Ipitanga airfield, Bahia, Brazil Oct 10, 1944.  

18 OCT 44. CURTISS C-46A-5CK COMMANDO  46997

(MSN 68) crashed on takeoff at Natal-Parnamirim Field, Brazil Oct 18, 1944.  

 20 OCT 44. VOUGHT-SIKORSKI OS2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo 5876.

Bureau Number 5876.  Squadron HEDRON, FAW-16.  On 20 October 1944 this OS2U-3 was stationed at Val de Cans Field (#118), Brazil, and completing a utility flight when it had a landing accident at Belem, Brazil, resulting in substantial damage to the plane.  The pilot was James Breeze.  The plane was repaired.

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

21 OCT 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 33401

On 21 October 1944 this VPB-134 PV-1 ws attached to a VPB-134 Det out of  NAF Recife (based at NAF Fortaleza, Pici-Field) Brazil, and was involved in a landing accident while training Brazilian aircrews. The plane suffered substantial damage although the crew was unhurt. Crew: Pilot Frank D. Armstrong; John A. Wallace; P. D. Ricketson; H. C. Plasse; and E. M. Weigner. 33401 may have later gone to the French Aeronavale in Morocco for spares. SOC in November 1945 in Morocco.   

09 NOV 44. BOEING B-29-25-BW SUPERFORTRESS BuNo 42-24423

24423 Accident 20Apr44 due to mechanical failure landing at Cessna Airport, Wichita, KS Delivered to USAAF 29Apr44.  Reclaimed at Pyote AFB, TX 21Dec49. Damaged in landing accident at Atkinson Field, British Guiana Nov 9, 1944.  All crew survived. W/o (written-off) 9 Dec 1944 at Atkinson Field, British Guiana. Reclaimed at Pyote AFB, TX 21 Dec 49.

10 NOV 44. VULTEE A35B-VN VENGEANCE BuNo 101407

101407 written-off (w/o) with 4th FRG in crash landing at Itapemirim, Brazil, Nov 10, 1944  

11 NOV 44. DOUGLAS C-54A-15-DC SKYMASTER BuNo 42-72252

72252 (MSN 10357/DC88) missing with 3rd FRG Nov 11, 1944, South Atlantic. MACR (missing air crew report) 9606. This serial number was used by 42-107451 when it flew President Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference. Presently VC-54C 42-107451 is on display at USAF Museum painted as 42-72252 to recreate the appearance of the aircraft when it flew FDR to Yalta.  

16 NOV 44. VULTEE A35B-VN VENGEANCE BuNo 42-101403

101403 I have as being written-off (w/o) in crash landing at Caravelas, Brazil Nov 16, 1944.                                                  

21 NOV 44. MARTIN PBM-3C MARINER BuNo 01669

On 21 November 1944 one of the VPB-211 PBM-3C’s (211-P-2) was lost em route from Natal to Aratu during an intense tropical thunderstorm. Aircraft wreckage, na oil slick and empty life rafts were found at sea at 10º50’S, 38º10’W, but no survivors. It was apparent from those that viewed the scene that the plane hit the water hard. Crew: Pilot Lt Robert Henry Lind, USNR; Co-Pilot LtJg John Anthony Carrol, USNR; ENS Edmund Francis Burke, USNR; AOM1c Thomas E. Poquette, V-2 USNR; ARM2c Edward A. Crawford, V-6 USNR and ARM3c Samuel B. Tipton, USN.  

23 NOV 44. VOUGHT-SIKORSKI OS2U-3 KINGFISHER BuNo 0

Bureau Number 09554.  To Royal Navy as Kingfisher I FN721.  The fifth 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 23 November 1944 this same OS2U-3, now aboard USS Cincinnati (CL-6), was damaged off Recife, Brazil, while the pilot, Lt.(jg) James R. Cottam, was getting checked out in Charlie Recovery, also known as Cast Recovery. 

His Observer was S. Newbery.  From the November 1944 War Diary of Cincinnati: “23 November 1944.  At 0717 catapulted starboard plane for “Cast Recovery” Exercises.  At 0725 catapulted port plane for operational practice.  At 0825 commenced maneuvering to execute Cast Recovery for starboard plane.  At 0910 starboard plane damaged port wing tip float in landing and plane capsized.  At 0930 recovered port plane.  At 1220 recovered capsized plane to starboard.”

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

24 NOV 44. CURTISS SB2C-4 HELLDIVER BuNO 20547

20547 (VB-85) attached to USS Shangri-La (CV-38) lost off Trinidad in South Atlantic Nov 24, 1944

27 NOV 44. CONSOLIDATED PBY-5A CATALINA BuNo 04973

This should be FAW-16 but all reports I se eis that it was assigned to FAW-4. It could be possible that they were ferrying the plane and its crew to NAS São Luis, Brazil. Buo n 27 November 1944 BuNo 04973 crashed into water about 15:45 GMT at Lat 02º25’S, Long 043º35’W – just off NAS São Luis. From statements obtained from native fishermen, the plane was flying to the East at na altitude between 2000 – 4000-ft.

Smoke was seen streaming from the plane and shortly thereafter it was seen to plunge into the water. The plane sank immediately and fire and smoke were seen on the surface of the water. Within five minutes a loud explosion was heard. There were no survivors and the plane, after being examined by Navy divers on 8 December 1944, was considered unsalvageable. Seventeen bodies were recovered, identified and buried at NAF São Luis, Brazil on 11 December 1944. 

Five were not recovered. Crew and passengers killed: Pilot LtJg Ralph Wallace grace, USN; LtJg N.D. Reynolds, USNR; LtJg A. L. Clapp, USNR; ENS R. Sliter, USNR; ENS W. J. Williams, Jr.; USNR; ACRM S. J. Vacanti, USN; ACRM . T. D. Cook, Jr., USN; ART1c W. R. Gile, USNR; AMM1c J. F. Keegan, USNR; RM1c V. J. Rogers, USNR; AMM1c K. W. Septer, USN; PR2c R. A. Cote, USN; RM2c V. E. Meyer, USN; AMM2c J. K. Lewis, USNR; AMM3c J. S. Bailey Jr., USNR; RM3c R. C. Brian, USNR; RM3c W. F. Henshaw, USNR; LtJg J. E. Smith, USN; AMM1c A. P. Andrade, USNR; AEM3c R. F. Brunks, USNR; AOM3c R. G. Donges, USNR; and S1c V. J. O’Rourke, USNR.  

27 NOV 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 49539

49539 (VPB-134) struck the surface while doing training exercise 15 mi from NAF Maceio, Brazil Nov 27, 1944.  Aircraft was able to rise to 200 feet before a controlled crash. All but one of the crew were able to exit the aircraft before it sank.   27 NOV 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 49639 On 27 November 1944 VPB-134’s ENS Rockwell struck the surface while conducting rocket firing training at sea approximately 15 miles of NAF Maceio, Brazil.

All hands except one were able to exit the aircraft without serious injury before it sank. The cause of the accident was diving at too low an altitude while firing, and running into the water spray from rockets, ripping off the port engine and starboard propeller. Rockwell was able to recover with the remaining momentum bringing the damaged aircraft back to 200 feet, then ditching it in a controlled crash.

A Coast Guard cutter standing by picked up the men within six minutes of ditching. Crew: ENS Charles M. Rockwell, A-3 USNR; ENS Theodore R. Potter, A-1 USNR; and ARM3c Arthur N. Lemay, V-6 USNR. A passenger, AEM3c Charles E. Ballard, V-6 USNR; from HEDRON Detachment Maceio, Brazil, was also on board. ARM3c Lemay was the missing crewman.    

01 DEC 44. VULTEE A-35B-VN VENGEANCE BuNo 42-101426

101426 to Brazil AF as FAB-04.  Crashed into Sepetiba Bay, Rio Dec 1, 1944. Would have been 6059.  

04 DEC 44. CURTISS SB2C-4 HELLDIVER BuNo 20154

20154 (VB-85) attached to USS Shangri-La (CV-38) lost off Trinidad South Atlantic Dec 4, 1944

15 DEC 44. DOUGLAS A26B-20-DT INVADER BuNo 43-22424

22424 (ATC) lost from unknown cause over South Atlantic near Brazil while on ferry flight Dec 15, 1944. Fate of crew unknown.  

18 DEC 44. LOCKHEED PV-1 VENTURA BuNo 34933

On 18 December 1944 VPB-134’s LtJg Wolfe and his crew, and four passengers were killed on take-off from Pici Field, Fortaleza, when his port engine exploded and the aircraft spun into the ground inverted from 600 feet altitude.

The crash resulted in a general squadron standown while all the aircraft were inspected. Several were found to have major deficiencies requiring several months to make them airworthy. Crew and passengers killed: Pilot LtJg Charles George Wolfe, USNR; Lt Felix A. Little, USNR; Lt Arthur J. Denzil, USNR; ARM1c Lloyd E. Gregg, USNR; AMM1c John S. Bik, USNR; AOM2c Thomas Rutkowski, USNR; AMM2c Williams C. Harris, USNR; AOM3c George H. Jones, USNR; and ARM3c Darrel G. Burge, USNR.

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

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