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| Keywords: Two 305th BG B-17's collide over Thurleigh, England (Station 111) on their return from Hanover, Germany, on 22 October 1944. Both crews, numbering 18 men, were killed. The 305th were trying to let down over Chelveston and as they made an approach, over the neighbouring Thurleigh field, some of the formation became aware of aircraft, witnessed as dim shapes ahead, and on what appeared to be a converging course from ahead.... The aircraft which caused the first impact was that of 1LT John Micheal, 364th Sqn, aboard 43-38133 WF-E. Micheal's plane was seen to try and avoid a collision by turning away in a steep banking maneuver. This came too late and an on coming B-17 (number 43-38030 JJ-E 'My Achin' B')) was witnessed to clip a large section of the left wing of 133 off. This and other large pieces of debris caused chaos throughout the remaining formation, with aircraft desperately trying to duck and weave, and still maintain some kind of safe order in such poor visibility. It is said, allegedly, that the 364th Pilot was recently arrived, and had only flown a few missions as 1st Pilot, having taken his very first missions as a Copilot on other more experienced crews. Both planes were seen to drop to the ground above or very close to Thurleigh base. A/C 43-38030 'My Achin' B' JJ-E 422nd Sqn P Phil Lichty CP Rob Coverstone N John Touchet B Mike J Verra ENG Albert B. Zieglmeir R Harold Boling BT Nick Colrivta WG Ersel E. Lennier TG William R. Robinson A/C 43-38133 WF-E 364th Sqn P John Micheal CP William E Shoemaker N Fred Watkins Jr B Phil R. Mifsud ENG Billy F Krug RAD Ashton W Hewitt BT Eldon D Peacock WG Burton G Jenkins TG Lenoard B Lindsey england crash aircraft wwii explosion b17 airfield collision airbase thurleigh chelveston 305thbombgroup 364thbombsquadron 4338133 1ltjohnmicheal 4338030 | ||||
