50 years on: Gone, but never forgotten

Remember
By Chris,
February 6 2008

Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the tragic Munich Air Disaster. February 6th, 1958 saw British European Airways Flight 609 crash on its third attempt at take-off from Munich-Riem airport in West Germany. Twenty-three of the 44 passengers were killed, including eight Manchester United players, three members of the backroom staff and a series of local and national journalists.

The 'Busby Babes' were travelling back from Belgrade where they had just secured a 3-3 draw against Red Star to secure safe passage to the European Cup semi-finals. It was a superb performance from United, 2-1 victors in the first-leg, and the team looked well-equipped to win the tournament following impressive wins against Shamrock Rovers and Dukla Prague.

Weather conditions were difficult across Europe but United had to fly back in time to fulfil domestic fixtures. The plane made a scheduled stop in Munich to refuel before attempting to take off again en route back to the UK. Captain James Thain twice tried to take off but both attempts had to be aborted due to engine troubles. The plane attempted take-off for a third and final time - crashing into a near-by fence and then into a building.

The results of the crash was disastrous and sent shockwaves across the country. Seven of the United squad were killed instantly, whilst the great Duncan Edwards died in hospital fifteen days later. Journalists, the flight's co-pilot, a United-supporting racehorse owner and a steward all also lost their lives in tragic circumstances.

The crash took the lives of some the most promising young players ever to grace the Football League. As EmptyRed's tribute said, these were not over-paid pre-Madonna's or pashmena-wearing superstars who are out of touch with the average man on the terraces. These were hard-working, talented young men who so tragically had their lives cut horribly short.

ManUtdWeb pays tribute to our lost heroes. Below are a list of the 23 people who passed away on the 6th of February 1958. May they all rest in peace and always be remembered. Please spare them a thought on Wednesday.

Geoff Bent
Roger Byrne
Eddie Colman
Duncan Edwards
Mark Jones
David Pegg
Tommy Taylor
Liam 'Billy' Whelan
Walter Crickmer
Bert Whalley
Tom Curry
Alf Clarke
Don Davies
George Follows
Tom Jackson
Archie Ledbrooke
Henry Rose
Eric Thompson
Frank Swift
Kenneth Rayment
Bela Miklos
Willie Satinoff
Tom Cable