23rd August 1944 – Freckleton air crash

World War 2 is littered with events that in different times would have merited far more coverage than they did in the context of a World-wide conflict. One such tragedy was the Freckleton Air Disaster that occurred exactly 65 years ago today, when an American Air Force B-24 Liberator crashed with great loss of life in Freckleton, Lancashire.

At 10:30am on that fateful morning in 1944 two B-24 bombers had flown off from the USAAF Air Base Depot Number 2 at Wharton Aerodrome, near Preston. They were headed for delivery to the 2nd Combat Division following refurbishment. However, not long after take off the planes were recalled to base because of a violent thunderstorm that was closing in.

Two B-24 Liberators

Both aircraft turned back but by the time they got to the airfield the weather had worsened significantly with rain and wind seriously reducing visibility. The two aircraft maintained formation and then, as lightning flashed, B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50291) ‘Classy Chassis II’ piloted by 1st Lieutenant John Bloemendal began the approach to Runway 08.

At almost the last moment, for reasons that were never able to be determined, Bloemendal’s aircraft turned away and he reported to the tower at Wharton that he was aborting the landing and would “go round” to make a second attempt. Some moments later out of visibility from the airfield and the second plane, the B-24 crashed into the village of Freckleton just East of the airfield.

Holy Trinity Church of England School

Following the attempted landing and with the wings almost vertical, probably a result of the prevailing violent winds and downdraughts, it appears that the lower wing tip clipped trees and was then sheered off as it impacted with buildings. The rest of the aircraft careered on through a hedge, across a road, and began to break up.

Holy trinity school

Partly demolishing three houses and a snack bar the fuselage hit the Infants section of Holy Trinity Church of England School. Fuel tanks, still full from the recalled flight erupted and ignited causing a sea of flames.

38 schoolchildren and six adults were killed in the school. In one classroom the clock stopped at 10:47am. The children aged between four and six had only started school the day before. Only 3 young pupils survived the inferno.

In the snack bar, which catered for US servicemen from the base 14 more people perished. 7 Americans, 4 RAF personnel and 3 civilians. The 3 man crew of the B-24 also died bringing the final death toll to 61.Though an unfounded belief arose maintaining this total to have been censored so as not to harm morale and blame the Americans.

Freckleton air disaster

Bing Crosby, who was on a tour of airbases in the UK entertaining the troops at the time, came to Freckleton to visit the surviving children in hospital. He agreed to sing for them, but broke down when meeting badly burned 5 year old Ruby Currell.

An investigation concluded that the exact cause of the accident was unknown. It was possible the pilot had not realised how bad the storm was until well within his final approach (winds were reportedly 60mph at the time of the accident). Airframe failure could not be ruled out, though the complete destruction of the aircraft prevented any proper investigation into this. There was some debate that the Americans appeared to believe storms in England were little more than showers. It was decided that the dangers of thunderstorms in England should be stressed to the pilots.

Memorial to the Freckleton Disaster at the Mighty 8th Museum In Georgia, USA.

The dead from the school and snack bar were buried in a mass grave and a memorial garden and playground were opened in 1945, the money for the play equipment being raised by the American servicemen at Wharton. A fund for a Memorial Hall was also started and the hall was opened in 1977. Additionally a book with photographs of all the children that perished is kept at Holy Trinity Church in the village and a marker was placed at the site of the disaster in 2007.