Memorial

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A/C 43-38982 hit prop wash and swept upwards right under A/C 43-38879, cutting the plane in half. Both planes were at approximately 9,000 feet, 43-38879 immediately went down into the English Channel. Two crew member from Bachelor's Den (Knoerl and Kennemer) bailed out and were seen going down. Two crew member from the other ship were seen in the water. Two aircraft from the formation, #'s 231 and 560 were ordered to stay in the area and patrol. One of the planes threw out 10 dinghies and when they left the distress area they reported seeing one survivor in one of the dinghies. Air Sea Rescue was contacted. Bachelor's Den proceeded back to England, crash landing at the field in Woodbridge. The following day, March 19, Air Sea Rescue reported that their patrols found some of the dinghies, but no crew members. Knoerl and Kennemer apperently perished in the Channel.