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| RAAF No. 100 Squadron  Spencer c1920s  Bendell 2016 |
Pilot FLGOFF George Douglas Rutherford Avery, 404083 (KIA, BR) QLD Observer FLGOFF Douglas Crawford Bell, 404031 (KIA, BR) Manly, NSW WAG FLGOFF Leslie Joseph Schwartz, 405455 (KIA, BR) Cunnamulla, QLD Passenger Lt(jg) George Frank Glueck, USN (KIA, BR) Philadelphia, PA Crashed October 22, 1942 Aircraft History Built by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number T9565. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufort Mark V serial number A9-26. Wartime History Assigned to No. 100 Squadron with code QH-? (single letter unknown). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On October 22, 1942 took off from Garbutt Field at Townsville piloted by FLGOFF George D. R. Avery as one of six Beauforts on a formation and dive bombing training mission armed with practice bombs. After conducting a mock torpedo attack over Townsville Harbor, the formation climbed to 1,000' into a "V" formation and made practice dive bombing attacks against the City of Adelaide shipwreck in Cockle Bay off Magnetic Island. This Beaufort accidentally crashed approximately 700m from the shipwreck, killing everyone aboard on impact. Wreckage Later that same day at 2:00pm, RAAF F/Lt Bonython inspected the wreckage and found two of the practice bombs. Afterwards, written off and converted to components by a Repair Salvage Unit (RSU). Wreckage of this aircraft remains on the reef to this day. Today, a propeller hub is displayed on Magnetic Island with a sign that reads: "Propeller housing from Beaufort torpedo bomber salvaged from Cockle Bay reef after striking the mast of the square rigger The City of Adelaide in World War II. No survivors." Memorials The RAAF crew members were officially declared dead the day of the mission. After their remains were recovered, the three were buried at Townsville War Cemetery on October 23, 1942 at 4:00pm. Avery at A.C.1. Bell at A.C.2. Schwartz at A.C.3. American Glueck was initially buried at the U.S. Military Cemetery Townsville (Townsville War Cemetery). On August 5, 1945 he was exhumed and reburied at USAF Cemetery Brisbane (Ipswich Cemetery). Later, exhumed and transported to the United States for permanent burial in West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, PA at plot Marlborough 112. References RAF Aircraft Serial Numbers - Beaufort V T9565 ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-26 Republican and Herald "Victim of War" October 26, 1942 page 1 "Philadelphia, Oct. 26. (UP) - A 26 year old naval lieutenant George Frank Glueck, has been killed in action in the Southwest Pacific, his family said today. Glueck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Glueck was a graduate of Lehigh University and the Naval Torpedo School, Newport, R.I." The Philadelphia Inquirer "Death In Action" November 1, 1942 page 12 "Lieutenant (j.g.) George F. Gluck, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Gluceck, of 1504 E. Cliveden St., who was killed in action in the Southwest Pacific, has been buried in Australia, his parents have been notified. Lieutenant Glueck, who attended Northeast High School and graduated from Severn School, Severn Park, Md., and Lehigh University, was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1941." FindAGrave - Flying Officer George Douglas Rutherford Avery (grave photos) CWGC - George Douglas Rutherford Avery FindAGrave - Flying Officer Douglas Crawford Bell (grave photos) CWGC - Douglas Crawford Bell FindAGrave - Flying Officer Leslie Joseph Schwartz (grave photos) CWGC - Leslie Joseph Schwartz FindAGrave - George F. Glueck (grave photo) Pictorial History of Magnetic Island, North Queensland page 139 Oz@War - 22 October 1942 crash of a Beaufort bomber Cockle Bay Magnetic Island Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 13, 2024 |
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