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Crash site
Sgt Gordon W Kinney killed aboard B-24 'Classy Chassis II'
From Mrs. PA Knight: "The memorial commemorates the American B-24 bomber that crashed into Freckleton on August 23, 1944, killing 61 people, including the USAAF crew and school children.
On the day both my parents who attended that school escaped due to the help of the American servicemen who formed a chain to get children over the school wall and into a safe area, several American personnel suffered burns trying to help children trapped.
For the past 74 years, we have held a service at 10:30am on the 23rd August to remember all those affected both sides of the pond."
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | Base Air Depot 2
Assigned to 2BAD, 8AF USAAF. Test pilot on B-24J 42-50291 'Classy Chassis II' which had completed an air test, when hit be lightning in a thunderstorm, having aborted it's landing at base. A/C crashed into the Frekleton school and adjacent snack bar....
Military | Private | Base Air Depot 2
Assigned to 2BAD, 8AF USAAF. Customer of Freckleton snack bar, severely wounded by crash of B-24J 42-50291 'Classy Chassis II'. Died of his wounds two days later. Died non Battle (DNB)
Awards: PH.
Military | Corporal | Base Air Depot 2
Assigned to 2BAD, 8AF USAAF. Customer of Freckleton snack bar, killed by crash of B-24J #42-50291 'Classy Chassis II'. Died non Battle (DNB)
Awards: GC, PH
Military | Private
Assigned to to 10th Station Compliment, 8AF USAAF. Customer of Freckleton snack bar, killed by crash of B-24J 42-50291 'Classy Chassis II'. Died non Battle (DNB)
Awards: PH.
Military | Private | Base Air Depot 2
Assigned to 2BAD, 8AF USAAF. Customer of Freckleton snack bar, killed by crash of B-24J 42-50291 'Classy Chassis II'. Died non Battle (DNB)
Awards: PH.
Military | Sergeant | Base Air Depot 2
Assigned to 2BAD, 8AF USAAF. Customer of Freckleton snack bar, killed by crash of B-24J 42-50291 'Classy Chassis II'. Died non Battle (DNB)
Awards: PH.
Military | Corporal | Base Air Depot 2
Assigned to 2BAD, 8AF USAAF. Customer of Freckleton snack bar, killed by crash of B-24J 42-50291 'Classy Chassis II'. Died non Battle (DNB)
Awards: PH.
Military | Sergeant | Base Air Depot 2
Assigned to 2BAD, 8AF USAAF. Customer of Freckleton snack bar, killed by crash of B-24J 42-50291 'Classy Chassis II'. Died non Battle (DNB)
Awards: PH.
B-24 Liberator
Classy Chassis II was one of two refurbished B-24 heavy bombers, being made ready for delivery when it departed Base Air Depot 2 (BAD2) at Warton on a test flight.
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 17 July 2019 09:41:31 | U.S. Embassy-London | Changes to latitude and longitude |
| Sources | ||
This entry was collected by the United States Embassy as part of a campaign to remember the 75th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy (D-Day). Personal stories from veterans and members of the British public were collected to celebrate the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 17 July 2019 09:30:42 | U.S. Embassy-London | Created entry with name, latitude, longitude, history, person associations and aircraft associations |
| Sources | ||
This entry was collected by the United States Embassy as part of a campaign to remember the 75th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy (D-Day). Personal stories from veterans and members of the British public were collected to celebrate the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. Mrs. PA Knight submitted this entry. |
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