Pacific Wrecks Forum

Looking for information concerning B-17E # 41-2417, which crashed at Queensland, Australia, on 6 July 1942.
The airplane was part of 63BS / 43 BG. Pilot was Lt. William Thompson.
Looking for any information concerning this accident--Crew listing; Accident location; Mission information.

Any information greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Tony Mireles

Monkey Bizz-Ness

Two books give info on this machine... minor ref in Forgotten Fifth / Clarinbold.. p21. More comprehensive story and excellent pics of recovery in Queensland Airfields of WW2 / Roger Marks. Forced landed in open country on west side of Cape York peninsula. Located 5th July 1943, by Catalina A24-11, Capt, Sqdn Ldr, R A Atkinson DFC RAF at position
S 15.22 E141.56. After 9 weeks on the ground with extensive repairs, engine changes, etc , it was flown out to Charters Towers for further repairs. Amazing effort by all concerned.

rgds Apteryx

Richard Rudd,

Thanks for the information and the references.

TonyM.

A little bit more,

It was a controlled forced landing not a crash

Northern Command Mission Number: TOW43
On the 8th July 42 a Wirraway from 24 Sqn RAAF flew a USAAF Maintenance Officer to the site,..on Rutland Downs Station, to establish the level of damage and whether or not it could be temporarily repaired and flown out. Departed Townsville 0445Zulu and arrived back 500Z/12 (12hours and 15 mins later)


This B-17E aircraft was painted in the very different three tone Hawaian Camo and had a interesting history including the Royce Raid

41-2417 c/n2229 Sumac 88thRS/7thBG-28thBS/later 431st 19thBG Pacific Route Arrived 12-02-42 assigned Sumac 14/03/1942 12/02/1942 Named *San Antonio Rose II */*Monkey BizzNess* (7th BG 38th RS) was one of the planes that arrived over Pearl Harbor Dec 7 1941 with the 38th RCS Arrived Australia 18/02/42 Archerfield. *San Antonio Rose * staged through Batchelor Field to Del Monte Philippines on bombing sortie against Japanese landings at Legaspi Mar 1942 Forced landed Rutland Downs Station near Mitchell River 5/7/42 flown out WFU Jan 31 1944. Used by 43rdBG 42-43 38th RS) was one of the planes that arrived over Pearl Harbor Dec 7 1941 *San Antonio Rose * staged through Batchelor Field to Del Monte Philippines on bombing sortie against Japanese landings at Legaspi Mar 1942 WFU Jan 31 1944

Picture? thought I had one somewhere at Pearce WA post Java in March 42,..again a lengthy search have found it and more interesting ones

Best
Gordy