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Extract from Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for First Lieutenant Clarence H Ballagh of the 482nd Bomb Group researched by historian Bill Beigel. The file contains copies of primary documents that discuss the return of personal effects, circumstances and causes of death, and memorialisation of the fallen airman.
If you require access to the full, unedited file please contact Bill Beigel via his website, www.ww2research.com, or the AAM Team at aamwebsite@iwm.org.uk
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Clarence ''Hank'' Ballagh - University of California Berkeley - faculty of engineering graduation yearbook 1942
Clarence Ballagh was on board of B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. Piloted by Captain William C. Anderson, CO of 813th BS, the B-17 somehow flew off course by some 50 miles and crashed into Skiddaw Mountain, near Keswick in Cumbria, United Kingdom. All 10 aboard were killed. 1st Lt Ballagh was listed as a passenger on this plane.
Service
People
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Military | Major | Pilot | 482nd Bomb Group
Major William Anderson was Commanding Officer of the 813th Bomb Squadron. He was pilot of B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. The B-17 somehow flew off course by...
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 482nd Bomb Group
2nd Lt Raymond Diltz was on board of B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. Piloted by Captain William C. Anderson, CO of 813th BS, the B-17 somehow flew off course...
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Military | First Lieutenant | 482nd Bomb Group
Theodore Doe was on board of B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. Piloted by Captain William C. Anderson, CO of 813th BS, the B-17 somehow flew off course by some...
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Military | Major | passenger | 482nd Bomb Group
Major Thomas C. Henderson (also known as Tom C. Henderson) was on board of B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. Piloted by Captain William C. Anderson, CO of...
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Engineer | 482nd Bomb Group
Bryson Hills was on board of B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. Piloted by Captain William C. Anderson, CO of 813th BS, the B-17 somehow flew off course by some...
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator | 482nd Bomb Group
Robert Jacobsen was on board of B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. Piloted by Captain William C. Anderson, CO of 813th BS, the B-17 somehow flew off course by...
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Military | Captain | Bombardier | 482nd Bomb Group
Captain Raymond Oeftiger was on board B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. The B-17 somehow flew off course by some 50 miles and crashed into Skiddaw Mountain,...
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Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 482nd Bomb Group
1st Lt Robert Sudbury was on board B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. The B-17 somehow flew off course by some 50 miles and crashed into Skiddaw Mountain, near...
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Military | Major | passenger
Major Henry B. Williams was on board of B-17E Serial 41-9051 on a navigational training exercise to Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland as final destination on 14 Sept 43. Piloted by Captain William C. Anderson, CO of 813th BS, the B-17 was off the filed...
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Units served with
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Group
The 379th Bomb Group (H) (heavy), based at Kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other Group. The B-17 Flying Fortress Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit...
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Group
The 482nd Bomb Group was a Pathfinder Group, which using radar-equipped aircraft to support bombing missions until March 1944. Aircraft from this Group went ahead of other Bombers and sent information back about the best routes to take and the extent...
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Aircraft
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 342BS/97BG Polebrook 3/42; 327BS/92BG Bovingdon, then 326BS [UX-O] (?407)] /9/42; col with 41-9021 in taxi accident with Roland Sargeant 25/6/43; repaired and transferred 813BS/482BG Alconbury 1/9/43; detailed UK navigation operation 14/9/43,...
Associated Place
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Military site : airfield
Alconbury had been constructed as a satellite airfield for RAF Upwood and Wyton and was used by RAF Squadrons: Nos. 15, 40 and 156. In preparation for the arrival of American heavy bombers, the base was developed in 1942 with the runways extended. When...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Born |
Santa Barbara, California, United States |
16 May 1921 |
1st Lieutenant Clarence H. Ballagh was born May 16, 1921, the son of Leland Edgar and Bernice Irene (Keller) Ballagh.
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June 1937 |
Clarence was the Valedictorian of his graduating class at Arroyo Grande Union High School. He would go on to earn an engineering degree at the University of California at Berkeley and was commissioned a 2nd Lt the day of his graduation due to ROTC service.
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Lived in |
Arroyo Grande, California, United States |
1942 |
Enlisted |
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13 May 1942 |
Trained in Florida as a pilot. Attached initially to 379BG - Kimbolton.
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Died |
Skiddaw, near Keswick, United Kingdom |
14 September 1943 |
In the crash of B-17 #41-9051. On leave at time - hitching a ride to Edinburgh
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Buried |
Arroyo Grande Cemetery, Arroyo Grande, California, United States |
1949 |