d. 23 Nov 41 (Died in ATA Service) - Liberator AL562 caught fire and crashed into the sea south of Burrow Head, Wigtownshire, en route Prestwick to Hawarden. 'Gen' Genovese (q.v.) wrote later that "the ship was one of the first Liberators in England, but ... through some grim blunder on someone's part the anti-aircraft crew had not been advised of its being a new addition to the British Air Force. Elmer Ulich (sic) was shot down and killed by British anti-aircraft fire." The official accident report says "Insufficient evidence to establish cause but thought to be through bad weather causing aircraft to catch fire in the air." The letter to his father says "At the time of writing I can add no further information as the investigation is proceeding and may possibly not yield anything conclusive. You will understand, of course, that in aircraft accidents it is sometimes impossible to ascertain the cause and in such cases it is better not to speculate on them." ... Sounds to me like 'Gen' might be right ... Pilot F/O Francis Bush also killed. Buried Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial:
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
