Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Getaway Gertie
- Type: Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length 67 ft (20.4 m); Wingspan 110 ft (33.5 m); Height 18 ft (5.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Ontario, near Oswego, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Aircraft Type: Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber
Description
The B-24 Liberator was a key component of U.S. and Allied air forces during World War II, designed for long-range bombing missions.
Specifications:
- Length: 67 feet (20.4 meters)
- Wingspan: 110 feet (33.5 meters)
- Height: 18 feet (5.5 meters)
- Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines
- Maximum Speed: 290 mph (467 km/h)
- Cruising Speed: 215 mph (346 km/h)
- Range: 2,850 miles (4,586 kilometers)
- Armament: Multiple .50 caliber machine guns positioned for defense in the nose, tail, belly, top turret, and waist
- Payload: 8,000–10,000 pounds of bombs
The B-24 was known for its versatility, capable of carrying heavy bomb loads over extended distances. Its high-mounted wing and twin-tail design gave it a distinctive silhouette.
History
On February 18, 1944, Getaway Gertie, a B-24 Liberator bomber, departed from the Army Air Base at Syracuse, New York, on a routine training flight. While flying over Lake Ontario, the plane encountered severe weather conditions, including a blinding snowstorm. Running dangerously low on fuel and unable to land due to poor visibility, the crew was ordered to bail out.
Tragically, neither the crew nor the wreckage of Getaway Gertie was ever found. The unforgiving conditions of Lake Ontario during winter, combined with the vast size and depth of the lake, have made the wreck particularly difficult to locate.
Significant Incidents
- February 18, 1944: Incident occurred due to low fuel and inability to land during a blinding snowstorm.
Final Disposition
Despite multiple search efforts, including high-tech searches by the U.S. Navy and surveys by the Oswego Maritime Foundation, the wreck of Getaway Gertie remains unlocated. Diving groups and underwater exploration teams have also attempted to locate the wreck, but it continues to elude discovery.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of Getaway Gertie is currently unlocated, and its condition remains unknown. The harsh conditions of Lake Ontario during winter contribute to the challenges faced in locating the wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”getaway-gertie” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The disappearance of Getaway Gertie remains a poignant chapter in the history of World War II aviation. It serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by aircrews, even during training missions, and highlights the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. Efforts to locate the wreck continue as part of ongoing historical and preservation projects.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Getaway Gertie
- Type: Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber
- Date of Incident: February 18, 1944
- Location: Lake Ontario, near Oswego, New York
- Incident Cause: Low fuel and inability to land due to a blinding snowstorm
- Crew Members: Eight crew members (names unconfirmed in public records; all lost)
- Wreck Status: Unlocated; remains elusive despite multiple search efforts
Aircraft Description
The B-24 Liberator was a key component of U.S. and Allied air forces during World War II, designed for long-range bombing missions.
Specifications:
- Length: 67 feet (20.4 meters)
- Wingspan: 110 feet (33.5 meters)
- Height: 18 feet (5.5 meters)
- Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines
- Maximum Speed: 290 mph (467 km/h)
- Cruising Speed: 215 mph (346 km/h)
- Range: 2,850 miles (4,586 kilometers)
- Armament: Multiple .50 caliber machine guns positioned for defense in the nose, tail, belly, top turret, and waist
- Payload: 8,000–10,000 pounds of bombs
The B-24 was known for its versatility, capable of carrying heavy bomb loads over extended distances. Its high-mounted wing and twin-tail design gave it a distinctive silhouette.
History of the Incident
On February 18, 1944, Getaway Gertie, a B-24 Liberator bomber, departed from the Army Air Base at Syracuse, New York, on a routine training flight. While flying over Lake Ontario, the plane encountered severe weather conditions, including a blinding snowstorm. Running dangerously low on fuel and unable to land due to poor visibility, the crew was ordered to bail out.
Tragically, neither the crew nor the wreckage of Getaway Gertie was ever found. The unforgiving conditions of Lake Ontario during winter, combined with the vast size and depth of the lake, have made the wreck particularly difficult to locate.
Search Efforts
- Over the decades, several search efforts have been conducted, including:
- High-tech searches by the U.S. Navy.
- Surveys conducted by the Oswego Maritime Foundation as part of their submerged cultural resources program.
- Diving groups and underwater exploration teams have also attempted to locate the wreck.
Despite advancements in underwater mapping and sonar technologies, the remains of Getaway Gertie continue to elude discovery, contributing to its enduring mystery.
Commemoration of the Crew
To honor the crew of Getaway Gertie and other airmen lost during training missions in World War II, a commemorative event was held:
- Event Date: June 24, 2023
- Location: Breitbeck Park, Oswego, New York
- Key Features:
- Opening ceremony conducted by the New York State Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing Honor Guard
- Flyover by the last remaining operational B-24 bomber in the world
- Attendance by family members, including relatives of Wendell Keith Ponder, one of the lost crewmen.
Sponsors:
- Oswego County
- City of Oswego
- Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
This moving tribute ensures that the sacrifice of Getaway Gertie‘s crew is never forgotten.
Legacy
The disappearance of Getaway Gertie remains a poignant chapter in the history of World War II aviation. It serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by aircrews, even during training missions, and highlights the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. Efforts to locate the wreck continue as part of ongoing historical and preservation projects.
Resources & Links
- Oswego Maritime Foundation: Submerged cultural resources and search efforts.
- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force: Information on the B-24 Liberator’s history.
- Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary: Dedicated to protecting and researching underwater cultural heritage.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- National Air and Space Museum – B-24 Liberator
Suggested Keywords & Categories
- Keywords: Getaway Gertie, Lake Ontario B-24 crash, WWII training accidents, Syracuse Army Air Base, Oswego aviation history, B-24 Liberator bomber.
- Categories: WWII Aviation History, Lost Aircraft, Great Lakes Aviation Incidents, Lake Ontario Shipwrecks, Military Training Losses.
Glossary Terms
- B-24 Liberator: A heavy bomber extensively used during WWII for long-range strategic missions.
- Bail Out: The act of exiting an aircraft via parachute during an emergency.
- Submerged Cultural Resources: Historical artifacts and wrecks located underwater that hold cultural significance.