1st Army Air Force / Section E / 112th Bomber Unit 

On May 18th 1944 a formation of B-24's consisting of #347, #508, and #5521, had been flying high altitude formation for approximately two and one-half hours. during this time, positions in the formation had been altered so that only one more change was necessary to allow each plane to fly in each position in the formation. Before the last change was made, the formation descended from 20,000 feet to 10,000 feet.

At the time of the last change in the formation, #5521 was in the lead position, with #508 on his right wing an #347 on his left wing. #5521 requested #508 to take the lead and #347 to fly on his right wing. After this change was made, #347 was too far out.

Statements indicate #347 then made a sharp left bank, came into correct position momentarily, and then slid underneath and slightly ahead of #508. Immediately after this, #347 was observed to have climbed slightly, and his tail section hit the nose section of #508. This resulted in the tail section being sheared off, and at the same time put the plane into a steep spiral to the right, which position it maintained until striking the ground.

#508 sustained considerable damage to the nose section and right wing, but was able to make a landing at Westover Field, escorted by #5521. Excerpt from Aircraft Accident Report

#42-7347 Crew Members:
                                            Arnold Moholt (pilot) - Dead
                                            John Goodwin - Dead
                                            Thomas Cater - Dead
                                            Merle Massar - Dead
                                            Anthony Pitzule - Dead
                                            Joseph Talbot - Survived
                                            Robert Kelly - Survived 

Web Site Created By: Benjamin Emerick
Email: cadetemerick@hotmail.com
1/24/03