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These images have kindly been provided to the Society by Christopher Tompkins whose uncle co-pilot Lt.Al Tompkins Jr died, aged 21, in the crash of the B24 Liberator at RAF Woodvale at 12.55 hours on 25th October 1944.
The Liberator was attached to the 446th bomb group of the USAF 8th Air Force and the 20 crew were on there way home or coming on leave to the US Army Air Corps Rest Home in Southport. Most had completed their required tour of duty having together flown 370+ missions.
The incident seems to have been covered up by the US military for a long time and it was only 19 years ago that the relevant documents were declassified.
The Liberator made an approach from the North but was off the line of the runway and heading for the control tower, the airfield controller fired a red verey. He pulled up slightly made a tight circuit at about 100 feet. He then made a curved approach, tried to line up by banking to port then starboard, lost height and crashed in the field just off the end of runway 22, outside the perimeter and airfield boundary.
4 Crew died in the crash and 3 later died at the Station sick quarters. The remainder of the crew, who were all severely injured, were transferred to E.M.S Hospital Southport, either within half an hour or later in the afternoon when medical officers considered it was safe to move them. Three Naval Surgeons from Southport arrived with ambulances approximately 17 minutes after the crash occurred.
Help was also provided by 3 L.M.S railway platelayers who rushed from their work to the scene of the disaster and dragged crew from the burning wreckage.
Only 1 living person remains who witnessed the crash. Joan Braid of Segars Farm Ainsdale. She was returning home from school for lunch and witnessed the whole event and was able to pinpoint the exact location of the crash.
On the 70th anniversary ( 25th October 2014 ) Joan Braid attended the site of the crash with Dr Reg Yorke of the Formby Civic Society and laid a cross and flowers in memory of the dead.
On September 18th 2013, the United States Air Force (USAF) celebrated its 66th Anniversary. Established in 1947, the USAF evolved from the United States Army Air Force and developed into one of the largest, most technologically advanced, air forces in the world.
To mark the occasion, Ambassador Julissa Reynoso hosted a reception at her residence.
Photo: MSGT Richard Ruiz and Ambassador Reynoso proceed to cut the USAF birthday cake.
[U.S. Embassy photo by Vince Alongi / Copyright info]
This fan beam antenna at entrance to the former 722d radar site appears to be symbolic since there is no antenna element with it.
The Thunderbirds put on an incredible show under picture perfect skies at the Kirtland Air Force Base Open House in Albuquerque, NM on October 9th, 2011
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen conduct a high altitude low opening 9999-feet jump from an HC-130 King aircraft assigned to 71st Expeditionary Search and Rescue Squadron over Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Jan. 19, 2008. The Airmen are from 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., deployed with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.
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To assist with the security detail for President Obama's visit to Trinidad, Grenada has offered the use of our airport for visiting USAF aircraft. Exciting stuff for little Grenada!!
58th Fighter Squadron Gorillas