COMMAND LOSS - ACCIDENT

3 May 1943

Description

B-24D 41-23728 "Hot Stuff" 93BG/330BS is despatched from Bovington with 15 persons aboard to fly Lt Gen Frank M. Andrews, his Chief of Staff Brig Gen Charles H. Barth, Jr., and other high ranking officers of his staff to the United States so that Lt. Gen Andrews can consult with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. The aircraft, pilioted by Capt Robert H. Shannon is scheduled to make a fuel stop in Iceland but crashes into Mt. Fagradalsfjall while attempting a landing at RAF Station Kaldadarnes near present day Selfoss, Iceland. All aboard, except the Tail Gunner are killed.



Lt Gen Andrews was appointed as commander of all United States forces in the European Theater of Operations at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943. Had he not been killed he wold have been the Supreme Allied Commander rather than Gen. Eisenhower.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Dec-2014. Description based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE and biographical information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Maxwell_Andrews.