Hmm, I've gone through each month between 1941 and 1945, for overseas accidents, and there is no single incident that comes anywhere that number of losses for a single date/base: http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/AFrptsMO.htm Though the home base losses are not complete, the site claims 100% of overseas accidental losses are listed. Now, I just need to check the USN losses - maybe tomorrow as I've gone a bit cross-eyed scanning the above pages.
Kyt, have found out a little more, perhaps you can expand on this. Maybe this should be retitled how to become an ace! Consolidated PB4Y-1 (USN for B-24J) Liberator "38766" (ex-USAAF 44-40348) assigned to VB-106. Swerved off runway on takeoff from NAB Eniwetok, South Pacific and crashed into parked aircraft while carrying nine 500-lb bombs destroying 106 naval aircraft. Date 9 August 1944. Nine killed, 2 injured. Among destroyed a/c: Hellcats, Avengers, Helldivers For more details you may go to www.vpnavy.org Regards, Leendert Brugge/Belgium
I knew I should have gone back and checked the USN figures. The figures do tally with the total accidental losses for that date. I shall do a quick check of the totals lost for each type, as there seems to be quite a mixture. The Official USN Chronology states that "PB4Y (VB 116) crashes on take off from Stickell Field, Eniwetok, and burns amidst the 340 planes in the carrier aircraft replacement pool area; 106 (F6Fs, FMs,SB2Cs, and TBMs) are destroyed." (which would explain why so many aircraft were in one place) I trying to find details of the crew but they don't seem to be listed on the US version of the CWGC. That seems to imply that they were repatriated to the States, which is highly unlikely.
There's seems to be a number of discrepancies with the description in the above site. The number of aircraft lost seems to be accurate as I've checked against the USN list now, and the USN Serials list. However, apart from the pilot, the names of the crew have either been misspelt or their initials are wrong.
I think the rules were relaxed on bombers as the bomb load was under the belly, but i know in fighters if someone (*cough* Bader *cough*) shot back their canopy and lit up, then the rest of the wing scattered very quickly then waited at a distance for them to explode due to the cordite and fuel fumes.
Could this be this picture be of the occurrence mentioned in this thread? http://www.rafcommands.com/dcforum/DCForumID6/18118.html
Yes it is - well spotted. Clackers (Sorry, Ian McLachlan) did an excellent write-up on the incident in 8th Air Force Bomber Stories: A New Selection giving all the gen. BC
