Post by Frederick Galea on Facebook on the 24/03/2023
The following information was derived during an interrogation of Lt Chilcott, T/Sgt Bullock, T/Sgt Hord and S/Sgt Robinson, by Intelligence Officer Captain Stephen C Van Fleet, United States Air Corps:
343 Squadron of the United States Army Air Force based in Lete in the Middle East Theatre of war flew an operation on 6 May 1943, with five of its Liberator B24-Ds, No.112 code U, 082 – T, 268 – Z, 761 – R, 840 – P. One of these aircraft failed to return to base. Aircraft U, 42-40112 crashed off Malta, the crew was rescued by the services in Malta.
343 USAAF Squadron formed part of 98th Bombardment Group, when on 6 May, thirty B24Ds (Liberators) set out to bomb shipping in Reggio Calabria Harbour, Italy. Take-off was at 05:30 GMT, assembled in three sections of ten planes each, which were to be on course by 06:05 GMT. Time over target was to be 09:30 GMT at 24,000 – 25,000 feet. All sections were to turn left after attack and reassemble on homeward course.
Sortie Report from B24D, code U, Crew: pilot – Lt Chilcott, Robert E; co-pilot – Lt Williamson, Richard C; navigator – Lt Rutledge, Robert T; bombardier – Lt Brown, Daniel; asst bombardier – T/Sgt Hord, Robert E; radio – T/Sgt Bullock, Howard Z; gunner – Sgt Newman, Irving R; gunner – S/Sgt Robinson, Joseph P; gunner – S/Sgt Widenmier, Malcolm; gunner – S/Sgt Brown, Edgar N.
Made landfall at about Bovalino Marina. After crossing mountains and nearing target, No.1 engine prop governor ran away to about 4,000 or 4,500 rpm and No.4 supercharger ran away to about 60 inches (against stop). Turned 180 degrees from target. Orders given to open bomb-bay doors and bombs jettisoned, one hitting on land and two in water, where made land fall. No pursuit, no anti-aircraft fire.
Got down to 10,000 feet, all the time trying to feather No.1, which was finally done. Then flew heading of 180 degrees until plane trimmed up. Held radio until formation requested local weather. Asked for a time of heading for a course to give at least 100 miles from Cape Passero, which was received. Got on course of 260 degrees QDM from Malta verified this course. Flew between 258 degrees and 260 degrees because of feathered prop. Turned on IFF.
At about ETA sighted land off to right, which was fog covered, no other land in sight. Altitude 7,000 feet; came in probably Cape Passero (narrow peninsula interior fog covered). Came in on heading 340 degrees with wheels down for Malta. Saw small airfield and town, now believed to be Porto Palo, Sicily. Altitude 1,500 feet; anti-aircraft fire opened up as soon as plane was over land. Explosive projectiles, several came in at right of catwalk near flight-deck bulkhead cutting rudder-cable and making long split in main hydraulic line. Believe Lt Robert Chilcott (pilot), Lt Daniel Brown (bombardier), T/Sgt Howard Bullock (radio), S/Sgt Malcolm Widenmier (waist gunner) and S/Sgt Edgar Brown (tail gunner) wounded.
Flew airplane out to left with use of ailerons and motors only. Still believing land to be Malta, gave colours of the day. No response noticed. Flew west along coast to check location and came probably to Pozzallo, Sicily. Saw ship there and great expanse of land ahead. Knew this was not Malta, so flew 179 degrees. Also got QDM from Malta giving this bearing. Started SOS and continued all the way to Malta. Locked key down while Radio Operator was removing his heavy clothes. Told Malta to prepare for crash-landing and that there were wounded aboard.
Had been losing altitude until altimeter reading was about sixty feet. Nursed motors to gain altitude and No.4 engine caught fire which continued all the way to Malta. Got up to a 1,000 feet.
About five Hurricanes came out to escort us in. Gave letter-of-the-day with lamp as each plane came close. One kept weaving in front and led the way to the airport, others followed in the rear.
Just over airport No.3 engine caught fire badly. Finally feathered, which put it out. Made big sweep over the sea in left turn using motors. Came back and started approach to airfield when No.4 engine stopped. Unable to feather because of no oil pressure. Wind milling drag caused loss of altitude and peeling off to the right. Gave orders for crash-landing and information radioed to ground station. Right wing levelled up. Dropped nose to gain airspeed. About twenty feet of water (Marsaxlokk Bay) with airspeed of a 120 flared out to sea as to drag tail. Motors running, no flaps, wheels down, plane hit and turned completely over, floated with bottom up.
All were on flight-deck except S/Sgt Widenmier and S/Sgt Brown, who were braced against the bomb-bay bulkhead.
Lt Chilcott, still strapped to his seat, was thrown clear of the plane. He disengaged himself from the strap and his Mae West, which was caught on the seat and swam to the surface.
T/Sgt Hord climbed out through the broken fuselage. He then went back in and helped S/Sgt Brown to get out. Went back in a second time when he heard Sgt Widenmier calling from tunnel above the bomb-bay where he had been thrown by the impact. It was necessary to disengage him from pieces of wreckage and oxygen bottles around him. S/Sgt Brown then came back in and assisted T/Sgt Hord in getting S/Sgt Widenmier out of the waist window.
T/Sgt Bullock believed he was thrown clear of the wreck, he was unconscious. Lt Rutledge got him on top of a floating wing and had to repeat several times as T/Sgt Bullock would get back in the water. Lt Rutledge also got on the wing and had to repeat it several times as with T/Sgt Bullock.
S/Sgt Robinson was unconscious and pinned in the wreckage. Lt Williamson worked under water to free him and succeeded just as his head was being pulled under by the sinking wreck. Lt Williamson’s coolness was of great help. He assisted crew-members on many occasions.
Sgt Newman possibly hit by shrapnel. He came on flight-deck and crouched to the right of radio-desk. Seemed dazed and would not brace himself although told to do so several times. He was not seen after the crash.
Before the crash, Lt Chilcott reminded the crew of the raft but as it was not of the lever and spring releasing type, it could not be gotten out from its compartment which was under water when the plane turned over. Most of the Mae Wests were punctured by shrapnel. Gasoline floating on the water caused great skin irritations, later peeling.
Crashed at 11:30 GMT, off Benghajsa Point. Water calm. Wreck floated for about five minutes. Tail went down first. Nose was last to submerge. Crash-boats were on the scene before the plane sank. Escort planes flew back and forth from wreck to shore to give position on water.
The wreckage of Liberator B24-D, code U, 42-40112 still lies on the seabed about one mile off Benghajsa Point.
NOTE: Today, in place is Maltese legislation protecting underwater cultural heritage.
Photo Credits: Veronica Busuttil
