This B-24 Bomber Vanished Without A Trace

A Fresh Start

In March 1943, nine rookie crew members joined the 376th Bombardment Group in Libya. Soon after, they were assigned a brand-new B-24D Liberator, later named “Lady Be Good.” Their journey together began with a mission to bomb Naples, Italy, on April 4.

Challenges in the Skies

The mission was anything but smooth. Assigned to the second wave of bombers, “Lady Be Good” faced a sandstorm that forced eight out of 13 planes to abandon the mission. Despite this, the crew pressed on, only to encounter heavy clouds over their primary target. Opting to bomb a secondary location, they turned back, unknowingly setting the stage for tragedy.

Lost Without a Guide

The role of 2nd Lt. Hayes, the navigator, was crucial. Yet, for reasons still unknown, he failed to log their return course. When Lt. Hatton radioed for help, reporting a malfunctioning direction finder, the base launched flares to guide them. Unfortunately, the crew had already overshot their airfield.

A Desperate Bailout

Believing they were over the Mediterranean, the crew bailed out as their fuel ran out. Instead, they landed 400 miles inland in the Libyan desert. One crew member, 2nd Lt. Worovka, tragically died due to a defective parachute. The survivors unknowingly walked away from their wrecked plane, which still had a functional radio, heading north instead of south toward an oasis.

Discovery of the Wreckage

Fifteen years later, in 1958, a British petroleum team spotted the wreckage. In 1959, the U.S. military investigated and found the remains of the crew, unraveling the mystery of the doomed flight.

The “Cursed” Legacy

Parts of “Lady Be Good” were salvaged and reused, but their legacy carried a dark twist. Equipment from the plane was installed in other aircraft, many of which encountered mechanical failures and crashes, sparking rumors of a curse.