USAAF B-24 bomber 42-50668, Black Hameldon

USAAF B-24 bomber 42-50668 on Black Hameldon, Lancashire Looking West toward Burnley. 1st Lt. Charles A. Goeking, Pilot, Injured 1st Lt. George H. Smith Jr, Co-pilot, Died of Injuries T. Sgt. Howard E. Denham Jr, Engineer, Died of Injuries T. Sgt. Leslie E. Johnson, Radio operator, Injured 1st Lt. Frank E. Bock, Navigator, Died of Injuries Sgt. Robert E. Hyett, Passenger, Injured 2nd Lt. Joseph B. Walker III, Passenger, Killed F/O David A. Robinson Jr, Passenger, Killed F/O Gerald Procita, Passenger, Killed 2nd Lt. Elmer R. Brater, Passenger, Killed Sgt. Randolph R. Mohlenrich Jr, Passenger, Killed USAAF B-24 bomber 42-50668 of the 854th Bomb Squadron was flying from the American airbase at North Pickenham in Norfolk to Burtonwood airbase near Warrington on 19 February 1945. Pilot 1st Lt. Charles A. Goeking had descended through low cloud trying to get a visual fix. Seeing a town below, which he thought was Liverpool, Lt Goeking headed East towards where he expected Burtonwood to be. Tragically the aircraft was 40 miles North East of Liverpool and the town he saw was in fact Burnley. Heading East took the B-24 towards the moors of the South Pennines. Lt Goeking became aware of the dark shadow of Black Hameldon ahead and tried to lift the aircraft over but without success; the B-24 struck the moor, tail first and under full power. The tail section broke away, killing the crew members within. The front section of the aircraft continued some 100 yards up the slope, catching fire as it broke up. 5 of the crew died at the scene, 3 more died within days of wounds. Charles A Goeking visited the site with his wife in 1972. He died in 1989.