Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman (1945)

Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman lost over the English Channel in 1945

On 15 December 1945 a Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman piloted by Flight Officer John Stuart Morgan, transporting Lieutenant Colonel Norman Baessell from England to France and including as a passenger Glenn Miller, departed from RAF Twinwood farm near Bedford - and was never seen again.

Glenn Miller was leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra prior to enlistment with the US Army in 1942 and became director of bands for the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command.

Miller's AAF band had moved to France and he was booked on a different flight which was subsequently cancelled. On his own initiative he attempted to rejoin the band by accompanying Baessell on the UC-64 Norseman. After this flight went missing the Major Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Orchestra continued to perform, including radio broadcasts, which were morale boosting to both military personnel and civilians.

Although the details of this missing flight are largely forgotten, the legacy of Glenn Miller and his music continues.

The links below refer to relevant articles on Wikipedia:-

Wikipedia Article Glenn Miller

Wikipedia Article Noorduyn Norseman

Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman
Source: Wikimedia Commons WMC-IMG-065 ‎

United States