Hello everyone. We are doing some research on a C-87 that crashed near Accra, Ghana on 7 Sep 43. Looking for any additional information regarding the crash itself and specificially the RCAF passengers that were on board. Here are the details of the Canadians who died in the crash: Name Rank Service Number Date of Death Age Regiment / Service Cemetery / Memorial Name CRAM, JOHN SAMUEL Pilot Officer J/27370 07/09/1943 26 Royal Canadian Air Force CHRISTIANSBORG WAR CEMETERY DONEN, SAMUEL JACOB Warrant Officer Class II R/110578 07/09/1943 Royal Canadian Air Force CHRISTIANSBORG WAR CEMETERY GARDNER, WILLIAM ALEXANDER Pilot Officer J/26245 07/09/1943 Royal Canadian Air Force CHRISTIANSBORG WAR CEMETERY LOUNSBURY, RONALD CYRUS Pilot Officer J/29631 07/09/1943 Royal Canadian Air Force CHRISTIANSBORG WAR CEMETERY MACLEAN, JOHN SCOTT Flying Officer J/10685 07/09/1943 23 Royal Canadian Air Force CHRISTIANSBORG WAR CEMETERY MACRAE, JOHN Warrant Officer Class II R/71345 07/09/1943 Royal Canadian Air Force CHRISTIANSBORG WAR CEMETERY RENNICK, ERLE DONALD Flight Sergeant R/138274 07/09/1943 20 Royal Canadian Air Force CHRISTIANSBORG WAR CEMETERY SMITH, ERIC OGILVY Flying Officer J/26221 07/09/1943 Royal Canadian Air Force CHRISTIANSBORG WAR CEMETERY This is part of a memorial activity so we would appreciate any additional information that we can get our hands on. Thank you very much in advance. Coaker
It was common practice for airmen to leave the logbook behind in their locker when they went on each mission, explained Paul Marsden, senior military archivist at Library and Archives Canada headquarters in Ottawa. Sam Donen would complete seven transatlantic missions before a mysterious crash outside of Accra, Ghana on Sept. 7, 1943 killed him and nine other crewmen on board the giant American Liberator transport. It crashed into the jungle about a minute after takeoff. Donen and his tired crewmates were not working; they were passengers. The ten are buried at the Christiansborg War Cemetery in Accra. Donen was 24. Although the government would send back Sam’s flying goggles and a few other personal effects, including an African knife and a bullet, the logbook went missing. 2 stories of Jewish Manitoba airmen killed in WWII ASN Aircraft accident Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express 41-24140 Accra Airport Accident C-87 Liberator 41-24140
