Yes, ships and airplanes did disappear during World War II under mysterious circumstances. Some of these incidents remain shrouded in mystery, while others were the result of the intense and dangerous conditions of warfare. Here are notable examples of both types of disappearances:
1. The Disappearance of Flight 19 (1945)
One of the most famous aviation disappearances of World War II occurred on December 5, 1945, involving Flight 19, a group of five U.S. Navy bombers (TBM Avenger torpedo bombers) on a training mission in the Bermuda Triangle area, near the coast of Florida.
Flight 19 was supposed to be a routine training mission, but poor navigation and bad weather led to the planes becoming lost. The lead pilot, Lieutenant Charles Taylor, reportedly became disoriented, and the flight path took the planes far off course. Radio communication with the flight was lost, and despite an extensive search and rescue effort, no trace of the five aircraft was ever found.
The disappearance of Flight 19 remains one of the most well-known aviation mysteries in history, with various theories ranging from navigational error to supernatural explanations.
2. The Mystery of the USS Cyclops (1918)
While not a World War II incident, one of the most famous naval disappearances in U.S. history is that of the USS Cyclops (AC-4), a U.S. Navy collier ship that disappeared without a trace in 1918 during World War I. This event predates WWII, but it remains part of the lore of mysterious disappearances. The ship had over 300 crew members aboard when it vanished in the Bermuda Triangle while en route from the Caribbean to Baltimore, Maryland.
Despite multiple investigations, the disappearance of the USS Cyclops remains unsolved, and the ship’s fate is a mystery to this day.
3. The Disappearance of Japanese Aircraft in the Pacific
Throughout the Pacific Theater of WWII, Japanese aircraft occasionally disappeared, either due to combat damage, technical malfunctions, or being lost during long-range flights. One famous example is the disappearance of Flight A6M Zero fighter planes that were lost during raids on Midway Atoll or while attempting to attack Allied ships.
As Japanese aircraft were often flying long distances over vast ocean areas with limited navigation technology and support, several planes simply vanished, their fates unknown.
4. The Mystery of Amelia Earhart (1937)
Although not directly during WWII, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the famous American aviator, is often connected to the World War II era due to its proximity in time. In 1937, Earhart disappeared during an attempt to fly around the world. She and her navigator, Fred Noonan, were last heard from near the Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937. While Earhart’s disappearance predates the war, some theories suggest that during WWII, U.S. military aircraft in the Pacific may have encountered her plane, leading to further intrigue.
The exact fate of Amelia Earhart remains one of the greatest aviation mysteries, with several theories about her disappearance, including a crash at sea or capture by the Japanese, though there is no definitive evidence to support any one explanation.
5. The Disappearance of the USS Scorpion (SSN-589) (1968)
Although this occurred after World War II, it is worth noting that the USS Scorpion, a nuclear-powered submarine, disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean in 1968 under mysterious circumstances. The submarine and its 99 crew members were never found until the wreckage was discovered in 1969. Various theories, such as a mechanical failure or an accident, have been proposed.
6. The Disappearance of the HMAS Sydney (1941)
On November 19, 1941, the HMAS Sydney, an Australian light cruiser, disappeared in the Indian Ocean during a battle with the German raider ship Kormoran. The battle took place off the coast of Western Australia, and both ships were severely damaged and sank. HMAS Sydney had 645 crew members on board, and all perished.
For several years, the wreck of the Sydney was a mystery, and its disappearance sparked numerous investigations and theories. The wreck was finally discovered in 2008, lying at a depth of about 2,500 meters.
7. The "Ghost" Ship of the USS Constellation (CV-64)
While the USS Constellation itself did not disappear, it became famous during WWII for having been involved in mysterious operations. There were reports of ghost-like sightings of the ship off the coast of the Pacific islands. Some claimed that the ship had been involved in covert operations or had suffered technical malfunctions that led to some mystery surrounding its movements.