USAAF B-17C Flying Fortress Crash - Bakers Creek, QLD
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Tuena
S 21° 13.202 E 149° 08.822
55K E 722848 N 7651988
A USAAF B-17C Flying Fortress crashed shortly after take-off on 14 June 1943 at Bakers Creek killing 42 of the 43 American military service personnel on board.
Waymark Code: WMNXHH
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 05/19/2015
Views: 3
The crash is Australia's worst aviation disaster by death toll and was the worst accident involving a transport aircraft in the south-western Pacific during World War II.
The memorial consists of two brick pillars with brass plaques outlining details of the crash & a list of those killed & the survivor (died 2004). A smaller plaque gives details of the model Flying Fortress which sits above the propeller. Two other plaques either side of lighting are of the 5th Air Force Memorial Foundation South West Pacific & 46th TroopCarrier Squadron.
On board were 5 crew & 38 passengers enroute to New Guinea after completing R and R in Mackay. The aircraft was operated by the 46th TroopCarrier Squadron, of the 317th Troop Carrier Group which formed part of the 5th Air Force.
On the 5th June 2009, nearly 66 years after the tragic crash, a second Bakers Creek Memorial was inserted in an area of lawn at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA. The Arlington National Cemetery was the backdrop.
Disaster Date: 06/14/1943
Date of dedication: 05/11/1992
Memorial Sponsors: People of the Mackay District
Disaster Type: Technological
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
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