On 21st June 1944, Martin B-26B Marauder #41-18042 crashed on a non-operational flight over Slieve Gallion having taken off from Toome Airfield, Co. Antrim.
On 21st June 1944, Martin B-26B Marauder #41-18042 crashed while flying a non-operational flight in low cloud over Slieve Gallion, Co. Londonderry. The crew of 6 had taken off from U.S.A.A.F. Station 239 at Toome Airfield, Co. Antrim.
Three members of 3rd Combat Crew Replacement Center, United States Army Air Force died as a result of the incident. They were pilot Joseph Bayard DeVilbiss , bomber navigator Frederick Christopher “Chris” Ahrens, and radio operator Alfred Jacob Knap. Two other Marauder aircraft on the same non-operational flight returned safely.
Authorities declared the Marauder written off, damaged beyond repair. Poor visibility in low cloud over the mountain was likely the cause of the American plane’s fate.
