Tragedy over Kettlebaston

[muckaroon1960]

Located 3 miles east of Lavenham in Suffolk is the small village of Kettlebaston, just a few miles south of Rattlesden with both villages being south east of Bury St Edmunds. During the second world war RAF Rattlesden (Station 126) was built and occupied by the US Army Air Force 447th Bomb Group consisting of four bomb squadrons, 708th, 709th, 710th & 711th. The 447th was part of the 3rd Air Division flying B17’s and recognisable by its tail marking of the letter K in a square and had been at the airfield since December 1942 following its construction by George Wimpey & Co that same year. The 447th had been involved with bombing missions over Germany and occupied Europe. One such mission (No 152) planned for October 2nd 1944 was a primary target of an industrial armoured truck factory in Kassel, Germany. 458 B17s in total were dispatched by the 3rd AD to also include other industrial targets of opportunity at Wiesbaden and Gesecke.

Following their briefing the crews would make their final checks 15 minutes before take-off and would be at their stations in the aircraft and make final adjustments to any equipment. Take off would be at 30 second intervals and the aircraft would climb at a speed of 150mph, 400ft per minute. Assembly starting at around 500ft would consist of a V formation of 3 aircraft which would form into a squadron and finally assemble into a group. The basic principle was to form a combat box which would provide an all-round defensive position for those defending the aircraft and also tighter grouping of bombs dropped. This assembly of the aircraft was fraught with danger especially that of a collision with other aircraft. Some of the crews said that this was the most perilous time when flying and felt safer once they were on their way even though they had Flak and the Luftwaffe to contend with once over the coast of mainland Europe!

This is where this tragic story begins to unfold. A B17g of the 710th BS No 44-6460 was being piloted by 2nd Lt William M Wilder and was left wing man to Lt Eldon Henningsen who was right wing of a flight of three. They were flying at 14,000 feet in formation and heading east towards the coast when Lt Henningson noticed a B17 off to his left nose diving towards the ground and then saw Wilder’s B17 start to bank away to the left with the tail section of a B17 stuck in the bomb bay. Wilder’s plane then began to nosedive towards the ground and disappeared from Henningsen’s view with no parachutes reported as opened.
The first B17 that Lt Henningsen saw go down was B17g 43-38245 of the 711th Bomb squadron piloted by Capt Clifford T Leach. Capt Leach who was on his second tour of duty having already completed 25 missions on his first tour was climbing through cloud cover when his plane collided with the underneath of Lt Wilders B17. The propellers from 8245 sliced off the plexiglass of 6460 and realising something was wrong Capt Leach pushed the controls of 8245 forward only for the tail section to wedge itself in the bomb bay of Lt Wilders plane 6460. This resulted in the tail stabiliser section to snap off and plunge Capt Leach and his crew down towards the ground with no one being able to escape the doomed aircraft and all nine men lost.

Leach’s B17g 43-38245 crashed at Wetherden Hall Farm, Hitcham with its tail section landing near to Kettlebaston Hall. Some reports say that the stabiliser was wedged into Wilders plane and as Leachs B17 dropped forward the rest of the tail section was cut off by Wilders plane propellers.
Wilders B17g 44-6460 crashed at Treacles Farm (now demolished) with eight of the crew killed and one survivor. The navigator 2nd Lt Eliot G Mishler grabbed a chute and exited the plane via the missing front plexiglass nose, attaching the chute on the way down and successfully opening it! He suffered a broken ankle on landing and was assisted by two farm boys only for Mishler to throw himself on top of these boys when the ammunition from the crash started to explode. Wilder and the Bombardier 2nd Lt Charles B McQuire also escaped the aircraft but their chutes failed to open. 2nd Lt Mishler was sent home and survived the war. I believe he passed away a few years ago.

Crew Names.
Wilder Crew. 710th BS B17g 44-6460
2nd Lt William M Wilder - Pilot
2nd Lt Norman D Manock - Co-Pilot*
2nd Lt Eliot G Mishler – Navigator (survived)
2nd Lt Charles B McQuire - Bombardier*
Sgt William D Eakins – Top Turret/Engineer
Sgt Ciriaco A Genova – Radio Operator
Sgt Eduard B Suarez jr – Ball Turret Gunner*
Sgt Thomas J Wiltze – Waist Gunner
S/Sgt Harold J Lee – Tail Gunner

Leach Crew 711th BS B17g 43-38245
Capt Clifford T Leach – Pilot
2nd Lt David W Bowen – Co-Pilot*
1st Lt Donald B Rubin – Navigator*
1st Lt William L Rogers – Bombardier
Sgt Earl L Riggs – Top Turret/Engineer
S/Sgt Clyde R Klee – Radio Operator*
Sgt William A Haines – Ball Turret Gunner*
Sgt John K Henry – Waist Gunner*
S/Sgt Carl S Reitsel – Tail Gunner (S/Sgt Reitsel had survived a previous crash on 43-38245 along with two others in April 1944 at Thorpe Morieux and suffered burns but returned to flying operations. The rest of the crew perished in the crash).

*Names of those buried at Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge England.

My interest in this tragic story stems from a purchase I made of a Purple Heart attributed to Harold J Lee Tail Gunner in B17g 44-6460. I have done a certain amount of research and acquired an excellent book,
“Pictorial Tribute to the men and aircraft of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) 1943-1945”. Written by Derek Smith and published by East Anglia Books to whom I am indebted to Marilyn Bishop reference copyright of pictures.
Harold J Lee was born 4th January 1919, Oregon. Enlisted San Francisco, Ca, 13th Jan 1942. Army serial number 19065386. Originally in the Medical Admin Corp he then transferred to the US Army Air Corp. He was a resident of Butte County; California and his occupation was that of an Actor. I suspect this is incorrect as Harold J Lee's 2 brothers were Doctors and being primarily in the Medical Corp would back this up. His ethnicity was that of Chinese American and he was single with no dependants. His remains were interred originally at Madingley, Cambridge, England but in 1948 they were returned to the United States for burial at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, Ca, 22nd July.
Harold J Lee is 3rd from the right back row in the picture of Wilder’s crew. First thing that strikes me is how happy they all look and how young they all are, Lee being just 25 when he died. Wilder is 2nd from right and Manock the co-pilot 2nd from the left, front row.
They all must have realised every time they climbed aboard that plane the dangers involved, yet they still did it and some even signed on for a second tour! Massive respect for not only these two crews that perished in this tragic accident but all those that volunteered for duty in the mighty 8th Air Force.

Once again, my thanks go to Marilyn Bishop of East Anglia Books of Stansted. Essex.
Reference material I have used:
Pictorial Tribute to the men and aircraft of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) 1943-1945. Derek Smith and published 2006 by East Anglia Books, Stansted, Essex, CM24 8UZ.
The Mighty Eighth in the second world war by Graham Smith. 2001 published by Countryside Books, Newbury, Berkshire.
USAAF Handbook 1939-1945. Martin W Bowman 1997 Sutton Publishing Ltd, Phoenix Mill, Thrupp, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2BU.
Mighty Eighth War Diary, Roger A Freeman, 1981, Janes Publishing Co Ltd, 238 City Road, London EC1 2PU.
Harold J Lee’s military information supplied by Daniel Griffin, Shomakersville, Pennsylvania. USA.
**== **== **==

N.B The Wilder crew picture is of the original crew. 3 of those in the picture were not involved in the air crash. Far left hand side back row, Christoff, Centre back row, Leehouts. Front row far right, Stone.

[muckaroon1960]

Captain Clifford T Leach far right enjoying better times.

[muckaroon1960]

Aerial view of RAF Rattlesden and the control tower.

[muckaroon1960]

Pictures taken of the crash scene.
1 & 2 Wilders plane 6460 at Treacles Farm.
3 & 4 Leach's plane 8245 at Wetherden Hall Farm.

[muckaroon1960]

Harold J Lee's Purple Heart which started my research into this post. The original ribbon was in a bad condition and was literally falling apart in my hands so I replaced it with a new old stock ribbon but retained what was left of the old one.

[muckaroon1960]

19065386 S/Sgt Harold J Lee – Tail Gunner USAAC final resting place. Plot C,642 Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, Ca. **== **==

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

Outstanding research once again Paul. Congratulations on a fine thread. A real dedication to this tragic event that does justice to their memory. Well done.

Regards Mark.

[The Devil's Bank]

I remember when me and a mate from work went to "Thorpe Abbotts" years ago, home of the "Bloody Hundredth".

We went up the stairs into the control tower and the inside was turned into a Museum with lots of period pictures.

One paricular group of photo's was of a same sort of tradgedy.

B17's of the 100th Bomb Group were "forming up" overhead when two collided with both crews being lost.

We stood in the same spot the photographer stood, and a local historian came out and described the events of this tragic moment.

I'm sure one plane exploded and the other plummeted to the ground after breaking up in mid air.

Very sad indeed.

A great Museum too :ymapplause:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXMWILOvm6U

[muckaroon1960]

Area where both planes crashed near Kettlebaston. 44-6460 Wilders B 17, 43-38245 Leach's B17 and the tail section. There were no reported civilian casualties. **==

[muckaroon1960]

Found another picture from the book on the 447th BG. This is Captain CT Leach and crew 59 taken in 1943. This would have been during his first tour of 25/30 Missions. Leach is standing far left back row. Note they are all wearing their A2 leather jackets with the 711th squadron patch. I'll try to find any other crew members listed from both planes as the book contains lots of crew pictures. **==

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

Keep digging Paul we are all reading with great interest on this.

Regards Mark

[muckaroon1960]

2nd Lt David W Bowen (Kneeling front row second from the left with headphones), Capt Leach's Co-pilot aboard B17g 38245 pictured with 1st Lt Fred A Gunn and crew 711th BS. David Bowen is buried at Madingley Cemetery, Cambridge, England. **==

N. B. I have also found some more crew pictures but none of those in the pictures are individually named. 1st Lt Donald B Rubin and S/Sgt Carl s Reitsel from Leach's plane 8245 and T/Sgt William D Eakins from Wilders plane 6460. Not sure if these guys were on their second tour when the tragedy occurred or had been transferred.

[Andyb]

Fantastic thread Paul , what a read :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[muckaroon1960]

Fantastic thread Paul , what a read :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thanks Andy, the more i delve into this story the more poignant it becomes and to then find more pictures of those involved is really quite sad. To think some of those guys were probably on a 2nd tour and experienced at combat missions. Tragic!!!

[muckaroon1960]

There are eight graves at the American Cemetery at Madingley, Cambridge, England. These are some of the crew members of the B17's that collided over Kettlebaston, October 2nd 1944. I visited Madingley on Sunday 28th August 2022 to pay my respects. Lest we forget.
**== **== **== **== **== **== **== **==

[muckaroon1960]

2nd Lt Normand D Manock Co-pilot 710bs B17 6460 burial plot F-2-133. Newspaper report of his death states he was engaged recently, tragic not only for his family but his fiancee also.

[muckaroon1960]

Sgt Edward B Suarez Ball Turret 710bs B17 6460 burial plot E-4-1

[muckaroon1960]

2nd Lt David W Bowen Co-pilot 711bs B17 38245 burial plot D-7-76

[muckaroon1960]

1st Lt Donald B Rubin Navigator 711bs B17 38245 burial plot F-5-28.

[muckaroon1960]

Sgt John K Henry Waist Gunner 711bs B17 38245 burial plot E-1-32.

[muckaroon1960]

Sgt William A Haines Ball Turret 711bs B17 38245 burial plot E-6-29.

[muckaroon1960]

S/Sgt Clyde R Klee Radio Operator/Waist Gunner 711bs B17 38245 burial plot E-3 100.

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

One of your best Paul.

Regards Mark.

[muckaroon1960]

2nd Lt Charles B McGuire Bombardier B17 46460 plot D-6-76 (behind 2nd Lt David Bowen).

Update March 2024: After a weeks holiday in Suffolk visiting some US airfields, I stopped off at Madingley and took some pictures of McGuires grave **==
P.S. Found the picture online of 2nd Lt McGuire. :thumbsup:

[Andyb]

A total credit to you Paul, what a fantastic post ^:)^ ^:)^

Brings home reality when you put faces to graves . So sad

Brilliant pictures as well :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[muckaroon1960]

Further research and by a process of elimination leads me to believe that this is 2nd Lt Elliott George Mishler, Navigator aboard B17 46460, who parachuted to safety being the only survivor. (October 6, 1924 – March 21, 2018) Mishler was born in Astoria, New York in 1924. After completing his degree at the University of Michigan in 1951 he later became Professor of Social Psychology in the Department of Social Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He taught research methods to psychiatry residents. He also published important works on qualitative research. In 1991 he published what was to become his most classic work on Research Interviewing.
He was involved with anti war demonstrations especially against the Vietnam War in 1965 and later the Iraq war. He also fought against racism, militarism, and injustice. One would assume his anti war stance was a by product of his time served in WW2 and his survival. His obituary doesn't contain any information on his war service. He passed away March 21st 2018.

(With thanks to Kevinh001, Cal, USA, for providing the Information on Professor Mishler).

[muckaroon1960]

Further research has found the following information about both B17's involved in this tragedy.

B17G-50-DL. 44-6460 flown by Lt Wilder was part of the production block 44-6251 to 44-6500 and was built by Douglas Aircraft, Long Beach, Cal.
Delivered to Kearney 1/08/44 and RAF Rattlesden 26/08/44 so was a relatively new aircraft at the time of the crash the same as B17G-80-BO 43-38245 flown by Capt Leach. Production block 43-38074 to 43-382743 built by Boeing, Seattle, Washington. Delivered Cheyenne 12/07/44 and RAF Rattlesden 02/08/44 exactly 2 months before the tragic crash involving both aircraft.

The numbering system B17G-50-DL indicates the block number = 50 and manufacturer DL= Douglas Aircraft, BO for Boeing and VE for Lockheed Vega, Burbank, California. **==

Picture from USAAF Handbook by Martin W Bowman (Sutton Publishing Ltd) shows B17G-5-VE models built at Lockheed Vega, Burbank, Cal.

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

Interesting reading Paul and great research as always :thumbsup:

Regards Mark

[The Devil's Bank]

Great post, fantastic research ^:)^

[muckaroon1960]

Lest We Forget..2nd October 1944. **==

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

Indeed.

[muckaroon1960]

Found some more interesting documents on a website called "447bg Smugmug.com" and I'm indebted to Hal Kiena, Florida, USA for the following documentation. (Hal's interest is due to his Father serving in the 447th during WW2).

First document is for the take off and Landing 2nd October 1944 and shows indication that Wilder and Leach's planes had crashed.
Second is an Ops Chart for same day with Mission 152 Kassel, Germany.
Third is Field Order #437 and this shows the flight formations and where Wilder and Leach were positioned or should that be meant to be positioned!
Fourth is the combat report for that day and states in section 3 the accident during that raid. Note: "No aircraft were lost to enemy action". **== **==

[The Devil's Bank]

Great research mate :thumbsup:

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

The details still available are amazing and very fascinating to read. Great stuff Paul.

Regards Mark

[muckaroon1960]

Just uploaded a few more pictures of the airmen buried at Madingley. John Henry, Donald Rubin and William Haines. I'm off to Suffolk in a few weeks and planning to visit Rattlesden and also Thorp Abbots museum. Plenty of pictures to take and upload. :thumbsup:

[The Devil's Bank]

I look forward to that mate, the old airfields are great for a wander round. :wink:

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

Geez has it been over 12 months since last post? How time flies. I too am interested in any new updates you can add to this thread Paul. :thumbsup:

Regards Mark.

[muckaroon1960]

Rattlesden Control Tower March 2024.

[muckaroon1960]

Existing Main Runway looking North east as used by the Rattlesden Glider club.

[muckaroon1960]

Remaining main south west runway. Special thanks to Mr Charles Portway of the gliding club for being my host on my visit.

[muckaroon1960]

Memorial to both sets of crews at Wetherden Hall Farm are where B17 43-38245 piloted by Capt Leach crashed. I also visited the area around where the other B17 flown by 2 Lt Wilder crashed. Couldn't identify the exact spot but was in the right area.

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

It must be a special moment to be able to visit historic sites such as these that you read and studied. I’d imagine it would be a very moving experience.

Regards Mark

[The Devil's Bank]

There's just something about the "old" airfields, the watch tower, the remaining parts of the runways and the real quietness of the area.

I went to West Malling airfield (it's gone now :oops: ) years ago for a airshow and stayed the night in the car.. on the airfield...

Now, that was one spooky night...

Looking at the areas of the two crashes, you wouldn't think any thing bad had happened.

It looks so peaceful now, with a lovely memorial.

Just another tragic memory lost in time.

[fischer]

Fantastic thread...enjoyed your photos and background history. :thumbsup:

[muckaroon1960]

Kevinh001 (California, USA) has forwarded an updated picture of the Wilder Crew which incidentally has 10 crew but this was reduced to 9 with the Radio Operator becoming a waist gunner when required.
From the names identified on the picture Christoff, Leenhouts and Stone (who was injured during their second mission) were reassigned and replaced with Lt McGuire who replaced Stone and Sgt Eakins who replaced Leenhouts.
The crew arrived at Rattlesden 24th July 1944 and the 9 man crew flew their first combat mission 16th August. Mighty Eighth War Diary (Roger A Freeman) indicates that the 3rd AD sent 234 B17s to primary oil installation targets at Zeitz and Rositz south of Leipzig.

N.B I've also updated information about Lt Mishler and Sgt Suarez.

[The Devil's Bank]

Great picture :ymapplause:

[Andyb]

As mentioned before Paul, an outstanding piece of work :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[muckaroon1960]

More research completed on the 447bg web page and found the following about the aircraft and the pilots. Whilst researching the missions not all the targets, dates etc tied in with one another with some of the dates and places not lining up properly against the information provided in the mighty 8th war diary (Freeman). Have made an educated guess based on the information to hand.

43-38245 Missions.
No - Date - Pilot - Target - Type
131 24/08/44 D W Leach. Brix, Czechoslovakia. P Oil Installation
135 30/08/44 D W Leach. Bremen, Germany. P Port
137 03/09/44 D W Leach. Brest, France. P Gun Batteries
138 05/09/44 D W Leach. Brest, France. P Area
139 08/09/44 H B Barton. Besancon, France. Op Grassy (1)
141 10/09/44 H B Barton. Giebelstadt, Germany. P Airfield
142 13/09/44 E T Helms. Stuttgart, Germany. P Oil Installation
145 17/09/44 L Phillips. Arnhem, Holland. P Flak Batteries (2)
147 22/09/44 E T Helms. Kassel, Germany. P AFV Factory
148 25/09/44 E T Helms. Ludwigshafen, Germany. P Marshalling Yards
149 26/09/44 E T Helms. Bremen, Germany. P Motor Transport
150 27/09/44 E T Helms. Ludwigshafen, Germany. P Industry Transport
151 28/09/44 E T Helms. Merseburg, Germany. P Oil & Industrial
152 02/10/44 C T Leach. Kassel, Germany. P Industrial Target (3)


Type P=Primary S=Secondary O=Target of Opportunity L=Last Resort


14 missions in total including the fateful No 152. This mission was the first time Clifford T Leach had flown this aircraft. This would have been his 34th mission having flown on Mission No 2 his 1st on December 30th 1943 and completing his first tour of 30 missions circa June 1944. He returned to active duty 25th September a week before being killed.
Wilder had completed 12 missions with mission 152 his 13th and last mission. He flew 6 aboard 44-6460.


44-6460 Missions.
No - Date - Pilot - Target - Type
140 09/09/44 B Fargason. Besancon, France Op Grassy (1)
141 10/09/44 W M Wilder. Giebelstadt, Germany. P Airfield
143 12/09/44 W M Wilder. Bohlen P, Fulda O, Germany. Oil Installations
144 13/09/44 W M Wilder. Stuttgart, Germany. P Oil Installation
145 17/09/44 W M Wilder. Arnhem, Holland, P Flak Batteries (2)
148 25/09/44 W M Wilder. Ludwigshafen, Germany. P Industry Transport
149 26/09/44 R E Whiting. Bremen, Germany. P Motor Transport
152 02/10/44 W M Wilder. Kassel, Germany. P Industrial Target (3)


Type P=Primary S=Secondary O=Target of Opportunity L=Last Resort
1. Operation Grassy. 180 container drop to French Resistance.
2. Part of Operation Market Garden.
3. 43-38245 collided with 44-6460 over Kettlebaston 17 killed.


Missions in bold type are missions both planes were involved in.


Sources of Information:

447bg.com website.https://

Mighty Eighth War Diary. Roger A Freeman. Jane’s Publishing Co Ltd.


**== **==

[muckaroon1960]

80 years to the day. Lest We Forget. **==

[muckaroon1960]

Found this interesting document on line, its the crew orders from July 1944 for the original Wilder crew members. This document officially allowed 2nd Lt Wilder and his crew (crew 70) to be assigned to the 710th bomb squadron to participate in "frequent and regular aerial flights". Not all those mentioned in this document were on the ill fated flight of 2nd October 1944 (Leenhouts, Christoff and Stone). There are also other orders for personnel who were to attend fire fighting school, air sea rescue training and also being granted leave.**==