Country
code

Manche

Crash of a Douglas DB-7 Boston off Saint-Marcouf Islands: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944 at 0610 LT
Operator:
Registration:
BZ213
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Three French crew members took place on board this RAF Boston on behalf of the 342th Squadron of the Free French Forces of the Groupe Lorraine. With 11 other similar airplanes, the Boston was engaged in a flare smoke dispersion to hide the ships. While approaching the coast, the airplane was shot down by German antiaircraft fire and crashed into the sea off Utah Beach. The aircraft was lost and all three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Roger Boissieux, pilot,
1st Lt Bernard Canut, navigator,
Sgt Jean-François Henson.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL in Négreville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944 at 0232 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-23638
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
9500
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy when flying some 15 km south of Cherbourg, the aircraft was shot by the German Flak. All but one paratroopers were able to bail out. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing but the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area. A paratrooper and a crew member were killed.
Crew (9th TCC):
1st Lt William R. Hitzaler, pilot,
2nd Lt Stanley E. Edwards Jr., copilot,
2nd Lt John Herbert Hendry, navigator,
S/Sgt Orlo A. Montgomery, radio operator, †
T/Sgt Alvin F. Vezin, flight engineer.
Paratroopers (507th Parachute Infantry Division):
1st Lt Walter C. Heisler,
Sgt Carl R. Letson,
Sgt Harry E. LaChance Jr.,
T/5 William P. Emmet,
Cpl Joseph E. Romas,
Pvt Ricardo R. Alvarez,
Pvt Donn W. Cummings,
Pvt Bernard D. Ely,
Pvt John L. Ponder,
Pvt Olivier Lindberg,
Pvt Weldon F. Truett,
Pvt Charles G. Stout, †
Pfc Glenn Ball,
Pfc George R. Hitchcock,
Pfc John E. Hollmann,
Pfc Robert T. Hurley,
Pfc Blair W. Terryberry,
Pfc John C. Wagner,
Pfc Robert R. Taylor.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in Magneville: 22 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944 at 0200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-100905
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
19368
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Exeter Airport in the night and was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy on a paratroopers mission. While cruising at an altitude of some 3,000 feet 10 km south of Cherbourg, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Magneville. All 22 occupants were killed.
Crew (440th TCG / 95th TCS):
1st Lt Ray B. Pullen, pilot,
2nd Lt John M. Greeley, copilot,
S/Sgt Finney W. Gordon,
S/Sgt Sidney H. Saltzman, radio navigator.
Passengers (paratroopers):
1st Lt Gerald V. Howard Jr.,
Sgt Robert L. Todd,
T/4 John T. Bray Jr.,
Cpl Donald E. Bignall,
Cpl Marvin M. Stallings,
T/5 Orville Vanderpool,
Pfc Gilbert Amabisco,
Pfc Richard L. Calhoon,
Pfc Warren K. Carney,
Pfc John J. Kittia,
Pfc William E. Olson,
Pvt James J. Farrel,
Pvt Frederick P. Smith,
Pvt Paul J. Weber,
Pvt Howard Phillips,
Pvt Glen L. Weirich,
Pvt Clarence M. Wright,
Pvt John A. Wright.
Probable cause:
Shot down by German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL in Carentan: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944 at 0133 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-101019
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Merryfield - Merryfield
MSN:
19482
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy with several paratroopers on board. Just after the paratroopers bailed out, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in a field located near Carentan. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (441st TCG):
Cpt John Burke McCue,pilot
2nd Lt Ernest Eugene Wheeler, copilot,
S/Sgt Archer Bruce Hughes, flight engineer,
Sgt James Andrew Freda, radio operator.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL near Chef-du-Pont: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944 at 0116 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-100876
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
19339
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The Dakota was involved in a paratroopers mission and was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy. While cruising by night some 35 km south of Cherbourg, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak. All the paratroopers were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed in a field located near Chef-le-Pont. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (93rd Transport Squadron):
1st Lt Marvin F. Muir,
2nd Lt Kenneth C. Bell,
2nd Lt John A. Martsay,
S/Sgt Clifford L. Burgess,
Sgt Philip Snyder.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL in Picauville: 20 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944 at 0114 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-100819
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Upottery - Upottery
MSN:
19282
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
The Dakota was involved in a paratroopers mission and was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy. While cruising by night some 35 km south of Cherbourg, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located near Picauville. All 20 occupants were killed.
Crew (91st Transport Squadron):
2nd Lt Marston F. Sargent,
F/O Steve C. Baran,
T/Sgt Walter F. Gendron,
S/Sgt Melvin B. Shullanberger.
Paratroopers (501st Parachute Infantry Division):
1st Lt Kenneth A. Beatty,
Sgt Colin Campbel,
Sgt Roy H. Speake,
T/5 John D. Hall,
T/5 John L. Davis,
Cpl Eugene E. Middleton,
Pvt Jay E. Cheel,
Pvt Augustine Gonzales,
Pvt James D. King,
Pvt Salvatore Laferrera,
Pvt Luther F. Morrison,
Pvt Benjamin Winn,
Pvt Hugh F. Williams,
Pfc Frederick J. Feneran,
Pfc Robert J. Hensel,
Pfc Robert M. Naimola.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Beuzeville-au-Plain: 22 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944 at 0112 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-93095
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
12969
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
The aircraft was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy and was carrying paratroopers. While cruising some 30 km southeast of Cherbourg by night, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in a field in Beuzeville-au-Plain. All 22 occupants were killed.
Crew (91st Squadron):
1st Lt Harold Andrew Capelluto,
2nd Lt John Joseph Fanelli,
2nd Lt Bernard Friedman,
Sgt Albert R. Tillotson Jr.,
Sgt Norman E. Thompson.
Paratroopers (506th Parachute Infantry Division):
1st Lt Thomas Meehan,
1st Sgt William S. Evans,
S/Sgt Murray B. Roberts,
Sgt Elmer L. Murray Jr.,
Sgt Richard E. Owen,
Sgt Carl N. Riggs,
T/5 Herman F. Collins,
T/5 Jerry A. Wentzel,
T/5 Ralph H. Wimer,
William McConigal,
Pvt George L. Elliott,
Pfc John N. Miller,
Pfc Sergio G. Moya,
Pfc Gerald R. Snider,
Pfc Elmer L. Telstad,
Pfc Thomas W. Warren,
Pfc Earnest Oats.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL off Cherbourg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
42-100914
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Exeter - Exeter
MSN:
19377
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the D-Day in Normandy and was flying back to his base in Exeter after dropping 17 paratroopers. While just flying over The Channel, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the sea some 10 miles north of Cherbourg. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL near Cherbourg

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
42-101006
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
19469
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy. After all paratroopers bailed out, the aircraft was hit by the German Flak. The pilot was able to make an emergency landing in a field near Cherbourg. While all four crew members were rescued, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (99th TCS):
1st Lt Harvey W. Doering Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Thomas R. Westrope, copilot,
Sgt John A. Delistovic, radio operator,
T/Sgt James E. Smith, flight engineer.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL near Cherbourg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
42-100803
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ramsbury - Ramsbury
MSN:
19266
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy. After all paratroopers bailed out, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak, dove into the ground and crashed in a field near Cherbourg. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Donald W. Handegaard 3.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.