Flight 19 Part 2

BACKGROUND At approximately 6:00 p.m. on 5 December 1945, an HF/DF signal fix was obtained for Flight 19, placing its location somewhere within a 100-mile radius off the east coast of Florida, but that would be the last trace of the squadron's existence.  It wouldn't be the last tragedy of this story.  Around 7:27 p.m., two Martin Mariner rescue planes were launched from NAS Banana River, FL to conduct a search.  Three minutes later, one of the planes, PBM-5 "Squadron Training No. 49" would send its "out report" over the radio, but it too would never be heard from again.  About 20 minutes later, a tanker cruising in the area, the SS Gaines Mills would report seeing an apparent explosion, with flames leaping 100 feet high and lasting for 10 minutes in the vicinity of where PBM-5 should have been.  The ship would search for survivors or floating wreckage but would find only a pool of oil and it is believed all 13 crew members aboard PBM-5 perished in that explosion.  At least with PBM-5, there is a likely explanation of their fate but with Flight 19, to this day there is none to be had.  The lingering question may sound simplistic, but it can be put before every speculative answer ranging from the commonplace to the paranormal -- "Where did they go?" Special Offers from our Special Sponsors: SQUARESPACE - It's what we used to make this cool looking website you're looking at right now!  Go to squarespace.com and use the promo code "LEGENDS" at checkout for 10% off any website subscription or domain purchase. Audible - Audible is a leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment on the Internet.  Just go to audible.com/AL to get your choice of any audiobook for FREE with a 30-day trial membership. The Great Courses Plus: Go to TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/legends and get one month of FREE, UNLIMITED access OR just take out your phone and text the word LEGENDS to the number 86329.  To get the reply text, standard message and data rates apply. Harry's - Get a close, comfortable shave that's convenient and affordable. Go to harrys.com/alp to get their most popular Trial Set for FREE when you sign up.  Just pay a small fee for shipping. For more information on this episode visit our website! Credits: Episode 66 - "Flight 19 (Part 2)" Produced by Scott Philbrook & Forrest Burgess; Audio Editing by Sarah Vorhees; Ryan McCullough Sound Design; Research Assistance by Tess Pfeifle and the astonishing League of Astonishing Researchers, a.k.a. The Astonishing Research Corps, or "A.R.C." for short. Copyright 2017 Astonishing Legends Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved.