A-26 Invader Crash Remains Deadliest In Maine's History

As is the case with so many dark moments of the World War II era, memories of the deadliest air crash in the history of the state of Maine have been buried for decades.

The Portland Press-Herald reports that today, an apartment complex with manicured lawns and swing benches has replaced the Redbank trailer park in the Long Creek area of South Portland, where a twin-engine light-attack bomber crashed on July 11, 1944.

The pilot, Army Air Corps Lieutenant Philip "Phee" Russell, died, as did 18 residents on the ground, most of them young mothers and small children. A total of 18 trailer homes were destroyed, leaving many others injured or homeless.

Today, after six decades of healing, as is also the case with so many dark moments of the World War II era, residents of the area feel moved to create a memorial. Some want to place a marker on a trail to be created on city land at the edges of what is now the Olde English Village apartment complex.

Some residents who were young children at the time of the catastrophe still live nearby, and have vivid memories of the A-26 Invader (similar to type shown above) circling low overhead in fog, trying to find the airport. Others remember the horrific scene which followed.

The exact form of the marker, the costs, and how they'll be covered, are still loose ends. John Kierstead, who is leading the effort, hopes the memorial can be in place for next year's 65th anniversary of the tragedy.

"I want this to be something, when (people) go by, they see it and know it means something," he said.

FMI: www.redbankstreets.com, www.aafha.org/