United States Air Force

Liberator Explosion

On the 19th October 1944 a USAF B-24 Liberator was flying over the Wirral, west of Liverpool, when it inexplicably blew up killing all 24 on board. There is a plaque situated near Durley Industrial Estate, by Brook Road on the river Fender, which reads:

IN MEMORY OF THE 24 U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE WHO DIED WHEN THEIR AIRCRAFT EXPLODED IN MID AIR

ABOVE THESE FIELDS ON 19th OCTOBER 1944

I have searched the net in vain for information on this incident. As far as I can recall it was flying from Northern Ireland. The plaque also includes the names of the 24 and of the pilot who crashed his P-47 Thunderbolt see my page on the P-47 here.

If anybody has any information on this particular crash I would be most grateful for news. See site front page for email button.