ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY December 15, 1944 Bandleader Glenn Miller disappeared over the English Channel. Alton Glenn Miller was a big band leader who achieved pre-WWII fame and fortune with hits such as Pennsylvania 6-500, Tuxedo Junction, and In The Mood. When America entered the war, Miller tried to enlist in the Navy but was told he was too old. He then approached the Army with the idea of turning an Army band into a modern swing band. The Army accepted him and he was quickly promoted to Captain, then Major. On the afternoon of December 15, 1944, Miller boarded a Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman transport at the RAF airbase at Twinwood Farm near Bedford, England. Technically, Miller wasnt authorized to be on that flight. Lt. Colonel Norman Baessell was headed to Paris on military business and offered him a ride. Really, they shouldnt have been flying in such poor weather---December weather conditions over England and the Channel are notoriously rainy, cloudy and freezing cold. Miller was intended to headline a concert in Paris, but the Norseman never reached the French coastline. Various conspiracy theories have been proposed over the years, but the most likely scenario is that the carburetor froze up and the plane crashed into the Channel. The type of carburetor on the Norseman was prone to icing up in cold weather. Neither the Norseman nor the bodies of Miller, Baessell, or the pilot were ever recovered. Millers fame and musical influence did not end with his death. His Army band was disbanded (sorry!) and sent home, but another similar band was quickly formed and continued entertaining servicemen with Millers signature musical style. Back home, Millers recording label, RCA Victor, formed a ghost band and continued to play Millers hits as The Glenn Miller Orchestra. This orchestra has survived several iterations over the years and continues to perform today. Happy Anniversary, Major Miller.....wherever you are. The Freelance Historian 2014.12.15
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:21:54 +0000
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