Friday, September 23, 2011

THE LAST DAYS OF GLENN MILLER

HERE IS THE FINAL PART OF OUR THREE PART SERIESE ON THE LIFE OF GLENN MILLER...

Legendary bandleader Glenn Miller spent his last night alive at Milton Ernest Hall, on the outskirts of Bedford, Bedfordshire. On December 15, 1944, Miller was to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris, France, to play for the soldiers there. His plane (a single-engined UC-64 Norseman, USAAF serial 44-70285) departed from RAF Twinwood Farm in Clapham, Bedfordshire and disappeared while flying over the English Channel. No trace of the aircrew, passengers or plane has ever been found. Miller's status is missing in action.

There are three main theories about what happened to Miller's plane, including the suggestion that he might have been hit by Royal Air Force bombs after an abortive raid on Siegen, Germany. One hundred and thirty-eight Lancaster bombers, short on fuel, jettisoned approximately 100,000 incendiaries in a designated area before landing. The logbooks of Royal Air Force navigator Fred Shaw recorded that he saw a small, single-engined monoplane spiraling out of control and crashing into the water. However, a second source, while acknowledging the possibility, cites other RAF crew members flying the same mission who stated that the drop area was in the North Sea.


Further research by British scholars also seems to indicate that this is the most likely probability, making Miller's death a "friendly fire" incident. In his 2006 self-published book, Clarence B. Wolfe — a gunner with Battery D, 134th AAA Battalion, in Folkestone, England — claims that his battery shot down Miller's plane. Another book by Lt. Col. Huton Downs, a former member of Dwight D. Eisenhower's personal staff, argues that the U.S. government covered up Miller's death. Downs suggested that Miller, who spoke German, had been enlisted by Eisenhower to covertly attempt to convince some German officers to end the war early. The book goes on to suggest that Miller was captured and killed in a Paris brothel, and his death covered up to save the government embarrassment. However the Publishers' Weekly review talks of "breathlessly written suppositions."


When Glenn Miller disappeared, he left behind his wife, the former Helen Burger, originally from Boulder, Colorado, and the two children they adopted in 1943 and 1944, Steven and Jonnie. Helen Miller accepted the Bronze Star medal for Glenn Miller in February 1945.

The Miller estate authorized an official Glenn Miller "ghost band" in 1946. This band was led by Tex Beneke, former lead saxophonist and a singer for the civilian band. It had a make up similar to the Army Air Force Band: it had a large string section. The orchestra's official public début was at the Capitol Theatre on Broadway where it opened for a three week engagement on January 24, 1946. Future television and film composer Henry Mancini was the band's pianist and one of the arrangers. This ghost band played to very large audiences all across the United States, including a few dates at the Hollywood Palladium in 1947, where the original Miller band played in 1941. In a website concerning the history of the Hollywood Palladium, it is noted "[e]ven as the big band era faded, the Tex Beneke and Glenn Miller Orchestra concert at the Palladium resulted in a record-breaking crowd of 6,750 dancers." By 1949, economics dictated that the string section be dropped.

This band recorded for RCA Victor, just as the original Miller band did Beneke was struggling with how to expand the Miller sound and also how to achieve success under his own name. What began as the "Glenn Miller Orchestra Under the Direction of Tex Beneke" finally became "The Tex Beneke Orchestra". By 1950, Beneke and the Miller estate parted ways. The break was acrimonious and Beneke is not currently listed by the Miller estate as a former leader of the Glenn Miller orchestra.


When Glenn Miller was alive, various bandleaders like Bob Chester imitated his style. By the early 1950s, various bands were again copying the Miller style of clarinet-led reeds and muted trumpets, notably Ralph Flanagan Jerry Gray,and Ray Anthony. This, coupled with the success of The Glenn Miller Story (1953),led the Miller estate to ask Ray McKinley to lead a new ghost band. This 1956 band is the original version of the current ghost band that still tours the United States today. The official Glenn Miller orchestra for the United States is currently under the direction of Gary Tole. The officially sanctioned Glenn Miller Orchestra for the United Kingdom has toured and recorded with great success under the leadership of Ray McVay. The official Glenn Miller Orchestra for Europe has been led by Wil Salden since 1990.

Glenn Miller's widow, Helen, died in 1966. Herb Miller, Glenn Miller's brother, led his own band in the United States and England until the late 1980s. Herb's son, John continues the tradition leading a band playing mainly Glenn Miller style music. In 1989, Glenn Miller's daughter Jonnie purchased her father's house where he was born. The Glenn Miller Foundation was created to oversee the subsequent restoration.

The years that Glenn Miller had a hit band was not even a decade, and yet he left a lasting imprint into big band, popular, and jazz music. Sixty seven years after Miller's disappearance his final resting spot is still not known. However, his music lives in...

33 comments:

  1. This was such an interesting post. I didn't know any of that information. I had never heard that it may have been "friendly fire" that took his plane down. I always assumed it was a weather-related thing.

    I love Big Band music and am a huge Glenn Miller fan. I think my all-time favorite song (all genre) is Moonlight Serenade. It even beats out Sinatra's "My Way" as my favorite.

    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I've heard two theories. One was that the carburetor on his plane may have iced up due to the cold, foggy weather they were in, This particular carburetor apparently was known to ice up in cold weather.

      The other theory was the returning bombers dumping their bombs over the English Channel. Unfortunately, unknown to them, Major Millers plane was flying southbound at the same time. Because of the fog, the bombers wouldn't have known the smaller plane was under them. The falling bombs hit Millers plane and took it down. As I said, these are just theories, and there are others. Bottom line is, we lost a great musician. Go watch "The Glenn Miller Story" with Jimmy Stewart and June Allison and Col Potter -- Oops, I mean, Harry Morgan, lol. It's a great story.

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    2. Replied on December 15, 2022, the 78th anniversary of his death. The deaths of Major Glenn Miller, Flight Officer John Morgan nor Lt.Col. Norm Baessell on December 15, 1944 were NOT the result of friendly fire, nor any other fire, shooting nor bombs. Allied planes were NOT in the air that day. It was the day before the Battle of the Bulge which did not begin until the next day 16 Dec 1944 and due to the weather, planes were grounded. “All conspiracy theories surrounding his death were debunked before December 15, 2019, the 75th anniversary of Miller's death.”

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Miller#Death

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Twinwood_Farm

      https://www.dennismspragg.com/glenn-miller-declassified/

      "Glenn Miller Declassified, the definitive biography by Dennis M. Spragg". Dennismspragg.com. Spragg, Dennis (September 1, 2017). Glenn Miller Declassified.

      Shenkle, Kathy. "Glenn Miller: America's Musical Hero". Arlington National Cemetery Exhibit, 1993, Pentagram (Dept. of Defense paper), and Clarinda Herald-Journal (Clarinda, Iowa), 1993, 1994.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Miller#Death

      The conclusive document concerning the military career and disappearance of Major Glenn Miller appeared during 2017 in the book “Glenn Miller Declassified” by Dennis M. Spragg, director of the Glenn Miller Archives. On behalf of the Glenn Miller Estate and with the full cooperation of American and British authorities, all relevant and many new documents concerning the circumstances of the accident were discovered and published, including the inquiry findings of January 20, 1945. Major Miller was an important public figure. He had no other duties than as a musical and broadcasting officer, which consumed his time. His high profile and schedule ruled out any clandestine role as later speculated by sensationalists. He was not the victim of foul play or friendly fire. All conspiracy theories surrounding his death were therefore debunked before December 15, 2019, the 75th anniversary of his death.

      In 2019, the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) was reported to be investigating a report that Miller’s airplane was possibly discovered many miles west of its required flight path but nothing further has been reported or found. Given modern technology, a well-funded and patient exploration could possibly find and identify the debris of the airplane along the required air transport corridor between Langney Point (Beachy Head) and St. Valery, France. All conspiracy theories surrounding his death were debunked before December 15, 2019, the 75th anniversary of Miller's death.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Twinwood_Farm

      On January 20, 1945, an Eighth Air Force Board of Inquiry determined that the airplane went down over the English Channel due to a combination of human error, mechanical failure and weather. Remains of the UC-64 have never been found and Major Glenn Miller remains Missing In Action to the present day. The names of all three missing servicemen are inscribed in the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial. Major Miller is listed as Alton G. Miller.

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  2. The trumpeter in the photo is Jim Murray of Clementon NJ. He went on to be a high school band director and taught music right up to the very end. A great man himself

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  3. Glenn Miller was the one man who won WWII.

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  4. I am amazed at the great impact that the Miller music made. I am of Hispanic decent and can truly appreciate the soft and fun tunes created by this talented man. My best to the family and all who cherish his music.

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  5. LOVE THE MUSIC IS SO RELAXING AND EASY TO LISTEN TO.

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  6. I thank you for this additional information because i can show my friends that it was a friendly fire as i have been told them all along NOT weather related as most movies portray.......it is too bad that we have lost such great artist.,,,,,,,love the music.

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    1. It was NOT friendly fire, 78 years ago today. The Allies were not in the air the day before the Battle of the Bulge began, 78 years ago tomorrow.

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  7. it.s too bad that his wife passed away and there was nothing in the newspapers. I am 75 and still listen to his wonderful music! But I know they are together dancing to his music.

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  8. I have loved the Glenn Miller music since I was three. Now purchasing all the music I can get

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  9. The sorrow of War! I remember that the great trumpet player also died violently in an automobile accident: he was only 26 years old. I JUST WISH THAT WRECKAGE OF THE PLANE WAS FOUND FOR "CLOSURE.

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  10. I have Loved Glenn ever since I was { as the perverbial saying goes } I was knee--high to a grass--hopper!
    Guess my long Love affair with Glenn's Exquisite and Ethereal sounds, has its genesis with me being truly my Mother's son.
    She was an Extremely devout Admirer of Glenn; I remember my dear Grandmother telling me how my Mom, failing to be home for dinner--realizing she had gone to the huge Public Pool at Columbus, Ohio to swim, found my Mother near the Juke--Box listening to Glenn's records ( after having put a lot of coins in ). She told me my Mom would rather listen to Glenn than eat!
    I still remember the massive number of Glenn's LP's
    she had and would play them often. . .so yes, Loving Great music and [ as a baby--boomer ], I Absolutely adore Glenn Miller's flawless sounds! !
    Some Love Benny Goodman, Guy Lombardo, H. Mancini, the Dorsey Bros. and other Big Band names. . .for me though, no one, clearly no Big Band group has or ever will eclipse the Greatest of them all: Glenn Miller! ! !

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  11. Music of this legendary jazzman was and even is very popular in different layers of Russian society.

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  12. Glenn Miller's sound defines the forties and America's involvement in World War II.

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  13. It's my all time favourite Christmas Movie (I'm 55). Have always loved his music - came from my Dad

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  14. I believe that the Norseman Airplane in which Glenn Miller was
    riding exploded from gas leakage as did one other such
    Norseman airplane.

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  15. Glenn Miller is the very first man to receive a gold record! Well done. His death is not the end, it's the beginning.

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  16. Is his daughter Jonnie still alive?

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    1. Yes. She was in attendance at this year's Glenn Miller Festival in his birth city of Clarinda, Iowa.

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  17. Is his daughter Jonnie still alive

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  18. Born in 1959, I was already far removed from the big band era. However picking up a trumpet in high school was the start of a wonderful part of my life. A local older gentleman approached me to play in his big band and I agreed. He was a huge Glen Miller fan and we played exclusively Glen Miller arrangements. Obviously I never met or heard Glen Miller's orchestra but became a huge fan. I will miss those days. I am also so grateful to have had the pleasure of playing these wonderful songs. Now I listen to his music on the internet. A HUGE Thank you to such a talented wonderful man.

    Scott Shipley November 6 2017

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  19. Con la música de Glenn Miller hice mis mejores amistades en Colombia

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  20. What kind of man that was so talented and gifted must never be forgotten. I hope he is in heavens band so we will always know the joy we have heard and loved.

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  21. I got my love of Glen Miller from my dad. Growing up with 78’s of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and the other big bands, Glen Miller was always the favorite. That smooth, easy-listening sound that no one else could ever get close to.


    For me St Louis Blues March is the ultimate, though of course I love Moonlight Serenade, Perfidia, etc. My children, born in the 80’s, have grown up with Glen Miller and there is no doubt that his music will live on for generations to come. Nikki, Cape Tiwn, South Africa

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  22. The research also turned up other factors, any of which could have had fatal consequences: First, logs for the UC-64 Norseman carrying Miller and Col. Baesell reported problems with fuel-system icing; however it had received only minor repairs because as a small personnel transport a full fix was at the bottom of the priority list versus combat-related equipment. Second, while pilot John Stuart Morgan had made the trip to Villacoublay France on numerous past occasions, he wasn't instrument-rated and could only fly during clear weather. With near-freezing temperatures over the Channel and no way to know that cloudy weather was closing in, F/O Morgan could easily have been faced with a clogged fuel system, obscured visibility, and/or so-called "loss of situational awareness" - any one of which would be sufficient to send the plane into the water.

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  23. Back in the late thirties my girlfriend and I were teenagers and we both liked to dance and listen to Glenn's music.
    Later, while I was in the Air force and stationed at Bedford, England I got to see Glenn's Air force band in the concert hall in downtown Bedford.
    I finished my 30 missions and was ready to go home when I heard the news about Glenn being missing.
    I am 94 now and still playing his music.

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  24. I watched the Glenn Miller Story tonight. I wasn't even a gleam in the universe when Glenn disappeared but any educated person should have at least heard the name Glenn Miller. Rest easy, Major. Your band marches on.

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  25. One of the greatest Band leaders to grace us. I'm so very grateful that my Mom and Dad turned me onto the Big Bands of the Forties. My favorite song is Moonlight Serenade! Thank you Glenn Miller.

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  26. The best of the big bands, i still listen to Glenn's music today. He is greatly missed

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  27. Many great bands back then, but Glenn Miller tops them, always. Always had trouble picking a favorite song, so I, at 83, just enjoy them all. So many good memories.

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  28. I'm the same way. I love so many of his pieces that it's not easy to choose a favorite. I've always loved "In The Mood" for it's surprising change in tempo but I also absolutely love "St. Louie Blues". Duck danceable music whether you want to jitterbug or slow dance, you can do both in one song! You know his music is special to have endured several generations. Heaven sent music, I say.

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  29. I'm just watching Glen Miller film with James stewart for the umpteen times. I was born on December 15th 1945. I was so sad I never got to ever see him and his band. There is no one like his band. I used to go each year to Ray mcfee band here in Clacton UK. It was so good. Oh I can't tell you how great it was to hear his music. Linda

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