This Day in History: 2022-11-02
Nr. 335
THE MUNICH AIR DISASTER (1958)
On 6 February 1958 the BEA Ehzabethan aircraft carrying the reigning English League champions Manchester United back from Yugoslavia atter they had claimed a place in the European Cup semi-finals with a 3-3 draw against Red Star Belgrade landed at Munich’s Reim airport to refuel.
Atter a quick stop, the United party reboarded the aircraft, but take-off was twice aborted by the pilots. The tense passengers returned to the airport terminal convinced that ice on the runway would force them to stay overnight in the German city. Duncan Edwards sent a famous telegram to his landlady saying, «All flights cancelled. Flying tomorrow. Duncan.»
The aircraft’s captain James Thain attempted a third take-off, but once again he had problems getting the plane off the ground and as the Elizabethan left the runway it went through a fence, crossed a road and struck a house. The plane brake up and was scattered over an area of 150 square metres.
The final death toll would reach 23 and include United players Roger Byrne, Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan. The United secretary Walter Crickmer, trainers Tom Curry and Bert Whalley, and eight journalists also perished. The United manager Matt Busby was badly injured and given only a 50-50 chance of survival, while Duncan Edwards was also critically ill.
Among many tributes, goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who saved the lives of his teammates and other passengers, said, «The most important thing about the Busby Babes… they say they might have been the greatest team, but one thing’s very sure, they were the best loved team.»
Manchester United line up to face Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup quarter-final.
The mangled wreckage of the plane after the fatal crash.
