Visit to lend-lease B-25 crash

[spartakle]

On August 11, 2009 I visited the crash site of a lend-lease B-25 J Mitchell near Whitecourt, Alberta. The B-25 crashed during a ferry flight on September 15, 1944 while on an instrument-cleared flight between Edmonton and Fort Nelson (en route to Fairbanks, Alaska and hand-over to the Soviet Military Mission). Investigators took 4 days to reach the scene on horseback back when it happened because of the remote location and determined that the pilots (Lt. Frederick Reardon & co pilot F/O Robert Ambrust) had lost control of the aircraft and were unable to pull out of a spin before striking the ground and were killed.

I visited the crash site with Mike Reardon Howell, the 65 year-old son of the pilot (Mike was 3 months old at the time of the crash) and we put a plaque up on site.

Thanks to Nathan Coulson for guiding us in to the spot, which would otherwise have been nearly impossible to find because of the dense bush.

See pictures on Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23057174@N02/3831406413/
Blake W. Smith

[tom d. friedman]

great pics from a truly unique wreck!!! hope the black flies didn't chew you up to bad!!

[RMAllnutt]

Thanks for posting this moving story... quite a feat that you accomplished, and it must have been especially touching for the pilot's son.

All the best,
Richard

[spartakle]

Thanks for the comments Tom & Richard. The wreck of the B-25 was not as difficult to reach as it was in 1944 thanks to new roads and the oil/gas cutlines that criss-cross that area of north-western Alberta these days.

Accompanying the son of the pilot to the crash site was a moving experience for all involved but, of course, especially for Mike Howell.

Thanks, Blake Smith

[mlenoch]

Just curious, were dog tags recovered at the original search?
Thx for posting.
VL

[Django]

Did he take a piece home with him?

[spartakle]

I'm not sure if dog-tags were removed from the scene at the time investigators first reached the crash site on September 18, 1944 but remains of the pilot/co pilot were recovered so I assume tags were also recovered.

There are a few ranches and farms near the crash and some locals are aware that the bomber is in the bush and have been to look at it. Over the years bits & pieces of the bomber have been taken as souvenirs but most of what is there are larger pieces and whatever remains in the bottom of the muddy impact crater. We did visit a local resident that had the compass and we handled it, the resident said he found it underneath one of the wings...the compass still had the fluid inside.

Mike Howell (son of the pilot) took a small piece home to Alabama with him but we could not identify what part of the B-25 it came from. It was a length of aluminum with a 3/4 inch thick piece of clear plexiglass, or some similar type material, rivetted to it.

Blake

[Tom H]

Afternoon all

The B25 wreck is very well known in Alberta and our Museum has been up at least twice over the years, but have not removed any artifacts.

The information we have is that a full recovery or remains and personal effects took place at the time of the original accident.

Edmonton was the start of the Staging route to Alaska and then the USSR and literally thousands of aircraft passed though. there were many wrecks and while most have been very well documented there is still the odd surprise that shows up once in a blue moon.

Tom H