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The B-17 had been on a routine ferrying flight to Nutts
Corner in Northern Ireland, with a crew of 7 and 24
passengers bound for 3 days leave in Ireland, many on
board had not had a break for nigh on two years, and
were certainly looking forward to a well earned rest.
Elected to fly the B-17 that day was Capt Charles E.
`Chuck`Ackerman, a veteran of many missions with the
381st, and one of the best pilots in the group.He had
just returned from a break in the States, and this
would be just a warm up,prior to rejoining his crew
for another trip over occupied territory.
The weather report that 23rd April 1945 was quite good,
with a cloud base of 2/10ths at 4,000ft, and so there
was little reason for concern as Army `856` left base.
For reasons still not clear, when nearing the Isle of
Man, the B-17 had begun to make a descent, perhaps a
sight-seeing tour was in mind as the fort dropped to
a dangerous 1,780ft asl, weather below the mountains
was clear, but a lingering mist had settled over the
top of North Barrule, and heading straight for its
North-East facing slopes was `856`. At approximately
10.25am the B-17 nosed into the hillside, there were
no survivors.
What really happened that day is still a bit of a
mystery, but what is for certain, is that Ridgewell,
and the United States, had lost 31 one of her finest
young men, in what has now become known as the worst
high ground accident in the UK & Ireland.
Accounts from relatives & friends to those on board are
included in the stories in Vol 1&2 of`Hell On High Ground`.
Also there is an article on the 381st BG website, click on
the crash photo for a link to this.
Crew:
Pilot: Capt Charles E.Ackerman Jr.
Co-Pilot: F/O Edwin A.Hutcheson Jr.
Navigator 1/Lt Martin Matyas.
Bombardier:1/Lt John P.Fedak.
Air Obs: 1/Lt Wayne W.Hart.
Radio Op: T/Sgt Wesley M.Hagen.
Engineer: T/Sgt David H.Lindon.
Passengers:
M/Sgt Edward Z.Gelman.
T/Sgt William E.Geist.
S/Sgt Wayne M.Manes.
Cpl Merle L.Ramsowr.
T/Sgt Joseph W.Sullivan.
T/Sgt Joseph L.Grey.
Cpl Edward G.Bailey.
Cpl Herbert C.Gupton.
Pfc Angelo Quagliarello.
S/Sgt Alfred M.Mata.
Sgt Jose M.Martinez.
Sgt Michael J.Kakos Jr.
Sgt Irvine R.Hargraves.
Cpl Earl S.Ammerman.
Cpl Leslie H.Maxwell.
S/Sgt Ralph L.Gibbs.
Pte Andrew R.Barbour.
1/Lt Lawrence E.McHehey.
Sgt Edwin C.Ullman.
T/4 Andrew Piter Jr.
1/Lt James M.Hinckle.
Cpl Harry Super.
T/5 Walter A.McCullough.
Cpl Thomas P.Flaherty.
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T/4 Andy Piter was a passenger on the B-17, who like the others had earned himself a well deserved rest from hectic life at Ridgewell. Andy hailed from a small town named Banning in the State of Pennsylvania, He was one of 6 children and the only son to Mr & Mrs Piter. After being drafted into the USAAF he did basic training at Fort F. E Warren,Cheyanne, Wyoming in 1942. Then was posted to Pomona Ordnance Base where he successfully completed a course before being shipped overseas to join the 381st Bomb Group, Ridgewell,Essex. At the time of the accident Andy Piter formed part of the 1775th Ordnance Group, 432nd Air Service Group. He was originally interred in Cambridge American War Cemetery, but was repatriated to his hometown Spring 1948. Photo: Don Mader. (Nephew) |
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B-17 43-38856 I of M.
