Eightieth Anniversary: 1944-2024
(Artwork by Keith Hill)
Glenn Miller, the legendary American bandleader, disappeared eighty years ago over the English Channel. The Army Air Forces Major was an unauthorized passenger aboard a flight from RAF Twinwood Field, Bedfordshire, to USAAF Station A-42, Villacoublay Aerodrome, France. With Glenn Miller’s son Steven Davis Miller, and Alan Cass, Curator of the University of Colorado Glenn Miller Archive, I originally published the following statement about the Glenn Miller disappearance on December 14, 2009. Here it is, updated with facts from the definitive Glenn Miller Declassified, and forever vital:
FATEFUL FLIGHT
Abbey Road Studios, London – September 16, 1944
(Glenn Miller Collections)
At 13:55 BST Friday, December 15, 1944, an Eighth Air Force Service Command Noorduyn C-64 “Norseman” airplane, serial number 44-70285, departed RAF Twinwood Field with three souls on board. The airplane disappeared en-route to Villacoublay Aerodrome, Versailles, France. Major Alton Glenn Miller, the famous bandleader, was a passenger on the flight. Miller was preparing to move his Army Air Forces Band (Special) from England to France. Military observers charted the C-64 airplane south from England over Beachy Head. But it did not appear over France. Subsequently, the Eighth Air Force learned that the airplane was missing with Miller aboard. Meanwhile, SHAEF did not become aware of the situation until Monday, December 18, 1944. Moreover, Maj. Gen. Orvil A. Anderson, Deputy Commander of Operations for the Eighth Air Force, launched a fruitless search and an investigation.
SHOCKWAVES AND TRIBUTES
New York, NY, March 23, 1945
(Glenn Miller Collections)
The gravity of the Glenn Miller disappearance caused shockwaves from London to Washington. Furthermore, Glenn Miller had disappeared without his chain of command realizing it until 72 hours later. The responsibilities of global war were great for Gen. Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold, commanding general of the United States Army Air Forces. Although he cared for every member of the AAF, he could not convey his respect personally for every family of the fallen during the conflict. However, he showed the ultimate respect by taking time out of his intense schedule to telephone Helen Miller and convey his condolences. In 1945, President Harry Truman and Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower made spontaneous tributes to Major Miller. None were as fitting as what Lt. Gen. James Doolittle, commander of Eighth Air Force said to Miller, “next to a letter from home, your band is the greatest morale booster in the ETO.”
DECLASSIFIED REPORT
We now know beyond any doubt that Major Miller boarded the airplane and that it vanished over water. Likewise, the Eighth Air Force investigated the disappearance and issued a classified report on January 20, 1945. Moreover, they concluded the C-64 went down over the English Channel due to a combination of factors. Pilot disorientation and icing leading to carburetor heater failure are the probable reasons. We know beyond any doubt that RAF Lancasters did not accidentally cause the C-64 to crash from an errant bomb jettison. Likewise, recent claims that the airplane may have been located off Portland Bill are unsubstantiated (see my article Glenn Miller Airplane Claims). There is no mystery about the Glenn Miller Disappearance.
GENUINE LEGACY
National Press Club, Washington, DC, November 13, 1945
(Glenn Miller Collections)
The AAF also concluded that Major Miller was a “casual” passenger, who was not authorized to accept an invitation to board the C-64 without informing his chain of command. Therefore, he was in violation of his actual travel orders. However, under pressure to meet a deadline, he had sought to perform his duties as he saw fit. Thus, into the mists of eternity passed a unique, brilliant, and seminal talent. Moreover, we are resolved to honor the truth about this great man, and admire his devoted wife Helen Dorothy Burger of Boulder, Colorado. Their class, style and good taste continue to be models to which we may aspire. Their true legacy matters. Consequently, may we who inherit the legacy be always worthy of our special privilege and govern ourselves accordingly.
For additional information, Here are links to:
— My recent appearance on the History Channel’s “UnXplained” with William Shatner
— My comprehensive interview about the Disappearance of Glenn Miller with the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, VA
MEDAL OF FREEDOM AND MILITARY HONORS
In conclusion, to learn more, please read Glenn Miller Declassified and America Ascendant from Potomac Books. Meanwhile, the many friends of Glenn Miller have recommended that the United States award him the Medal of Freedom. Moreover, he deserves the Legion of Merit and Purple Heart (in addition to his Bronze Star). And a posthumous promotion to Brigadier General, United States Air Force. Honoring a leader of the World War II generation is not a partisan or current events issue. President Biden and Democratic leaders have not replied or taken action. Former and future President Donald Trump and Republican leaders signaled their support in 2020. Therefore, during 2025, let’s work with the incoming White House and Congress to at last properly honor Glenn Miller, a truly exceptional American. His music was clearly the soundtrack of the greatest generation. Learn the full truth about the disappearance of Glenn Miller:
Thank you for sharing this information. I understand the current Glenn Miller Orchestra has ceased touring. This is really sad because I fear that by using regional players for concerts, the quality won’t be as good as the group who plays together all the time. How can we make sure that this wonderful uplifting music isn’t lost?
My father, 101 years next month, is an ardent Glenn Miller fan. Dad has many GM CDs and they continued to be played regularly.
Thank you for what my father calls “great sound” Mr Miller.
Thankyou for sharing this great story. I grew up listening to his wonderful music. I never knew he was a Major or he died in such a tragic way.
Truly a man of talent, character and love of freedom. RIP
My Father had an orchestra in Bloemfontein South Africa for over 50 years and his favorite numbers he played was In the mood and Moonlight serenade my dad played Alto sax my brother Tenor sax Clanet ,flut, myself Alto Glens music is still my favorite hope his making music with the angles
This account is contrary to the investigation carried out by the British military which showed that the aircraft carrying Glen Miller crossed the flight of returning RAF bombers over the designated unused bomb jettisoning site in the Channel.
Absolutely not, Bryan. There was NO British military investigation as the RAF was initially unaware of any issue. There WAS an American investigation with RAF cooperation once it was determined that the C-64 with Miller aboard was missing. The original jettison report (see below) was a complaint by an American troop carrier ferry flight, 90 minutes ahead of Miller’s plane, that had been hit by jettisoned bombs. The jettison story that you cite and worldwide media circulated was made in the 1980s by an RAF navigator who claimed he had seen a “kite” or small plane go into the English Channel underneath bombs jettisoned by planes of his squadron. How he could have seen below a Lancaster from his station, which is impossible, is hard to accept but what is even harder is how many people believed it without verifying the actual evidence. Furthermore, the Ministry of Defence subsequently never confirmed the claim that the RAF Lancasters accidentally hit the C-64. They merely acknowledged that there were jettisons on that day. In fact, we now know with 100% certainty that they did not. it was physically impossible. The RAF squadron records preserved in the National Archives at Kew and the American AAF records held by the USAF Historical Agency at Maxwell-Gunter AFB in Alabama are clear, unmistakable, in alignment and definitive. The jettisons occurred between 13:00 and 13:30 on 15 December 1944. The bombers were all back at their bases when the C-64 with Miller aboard got out over the English Channel between 14:45 and 15:00. And some bombers jettisoned north and east of the proper coordinates over the Air Transport Route between Langney Point and St. Valery. However, a ferry flight of AAF L-1 utility planes flying at 500 feet under 8/10 to 10/10 overcast reported being hit by unfused jettisoned bombs from unidentified planes, either Lancasters or B-24s, at and about 13:15. If anyone aboard the Lancasters flying at 5,000 to 8,000 ft. could see anything below them through the overcast, it was the L-1s, and fortunately, none of them were actually hit by the bombs. Miller’s pilot did not wander into the jettison coordinates. Chapter 7 of my book Glenn Miller Declassified answers all of these questions, and is accepted by military agencies and historians as authenticated and correct. It took 10 years to discover, assemble, cross-reference and publish the truth.
Not much more to determine,seems like all leads have turned up very little.