Covington/Catworth
Aircraft crash site
media-413482.jpg
FRE 4798
The wreck of a B-17 Flying Fortress (LF-F, serial number 43-79180) of the 379th Bomb Group, damaged in a mid air collision. Not To Be Published 6 Jan 1944, Passed for publication 1 Jul 1945. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'LF-F, 379180.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Twenty-Eight Die When Three Fortresses Crash In The Take-Off For Raid On Kiel. Twenty-eight airmen were killed when three Flying Fortresses crashed together while forming up for yesterday's (January 5) raid on Kiel. the crash occurred at 2,000ft. and all three planes exploded when they hit the ground with full bomb-load. The ten crew-members on two of the aircraft died before reaching the ground. Three men escaped from the last plane but one of these died later. Associated Press Photo Shows:- General view of the wreckage of one of the three Flying Fortresses which crashed with full bomb-load while forming up to take part in yesterday's (January 5) raid on Kiel. IRV 263695. 6-1-44-Y.' Censor no: 298986. On reverse: Associated Press, Ministry of Information, US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau Passed For Publication and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau/Press Censor ETO Not To Be Published [Stamps].
Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
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Detailed History
Crash site of three B-17s that collided mid-air whilst forming up for a bombing mission to Kiel, Germany on 5 January 1944. Twenty-eight airmen were killed in the crash.
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 5 January 1944