22nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Transport Group

22ND TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON
374TH TRANSPORT GROUP

I received the following info in an e-mail from Paul Van Valkenburg vanvalkp@SNYCORVA.CORTLAND.EDU on 26 January 1999:-

I like your web site. I notice that you have documented various plane crashes in the Townsville area. I did not find an account of the following crash which involved the 345th Bomb Group. It's taken from "Warpath Across the Pacific", the unit history of the 345th.

FATAL TRIP TO SYDNEY: DECEMBER 19, 1943
Three Sydney-bound officers on the crew of DOODLE were lost on the 19th when the C-47 they were riding in crashed during bad weather. The plane had taken off from Townsville, apparently enroute Rockhampton, when it spun out of the overcast with an engine on fire. It exploded before hitting the ground, killing all 31 on board. The 499th (squad) lost Capt. Orlen Loverin, who was considered by many to be the unit's most capable pilot. The Squadron Navigator, 1/Lt. George K. Snyder, was rumored to have been planning marriage when he reached Sydney. 2/Lt. William B. Graham was the other fatality.

When American military authorities reached the scene, they found the bodies had been looted; empty wallets were strewn nearby. Since the airmen often carried a hundred Australian pounds or more on trips to Sydney, someone had acquired a small fortune.

Subject:   WWII - Aus - New Guinea
Date:           Sat, 6 Feb 1999 21:57:01 -0600
From:          sgm744@sigecom.net

I am writing to see if you might help me with my research concerning my uncle (Lt. William Randall Crecelius) who was killed in a plane crash in Australia (near Rockhampton) on December 19, 1943. He was a part of the 22nd Troop Carrier Sqdn, 374th Transport Group and served in New Guinea and Australia from early '43 until his death in December.

I have received many related documents and other help from Veterans who were in the same area and from military museums and other historical agencies. I am writing to see if you have any pictures, video, movies or other information concerning the New Guinea and Australia area during WWII. Other topics of interest concerning videos or pictures are: C-47 Transport planes, Sgt Pilots, Troop Carriers, WWII Pilot training and New Guinea. I would sincerely appreciate any suggestions you might have concerning where I might get some help in finding this information.

Thanks for your consideration of this request. I am doing my best to compile an accurate record of my uncle's activities but I need all the help I can get. Our family will always be grateful.

Sincerely,

Steve McDevitt

3815 Wellington Ct.
Owensboro, KY 42303

e-mail: sgm744@sigecom.net

Subject:   Re: WWII - Aus - New Guinea
Date:           Sun, 7 Feb 1999 13:52:18 -0600
From:          sgm744@sigecom.net

Yes, this is the plane my uncle was piloting on 12/19/43. I have been doing some extensive research and have the names of the 3 that are mentioned in the web note - Loeverin, Snyder & Grahm, plus the rest of the passengers and crew.

My information is that the crash was 30 miles north of Rockhampton at Ross Moya Rd, Canal Creek area. It was on route to Rockhampton but I did not know about the Archer destination until I received some additional information from the U.S. Archives that had the destination for most of the passengers listed as "Arc", one was listed as "Rky" and the other listed as "Adelaide".

Hugh MacMaster sent me an article written on the crash, partly based on information I supplied to him, dated 4/25/98 and published in THE ROCKHAMPTON MORNING BULLETIN.

Others whom I have communicated with concerning this research include:

Bob Piper, Higgins ACT.
Dr. Lorna McDonald - Rockhampton & District Historical
Bob Kelly, Buderim QLD
G.K. Joyce, Rockhampton Sub-branch of RSL.

Let me know if you have any additional information concerning this crash.

Thanks for your help.......

Sincerely,

Steve McDevitt

Subject:    22nd TCS - WWII
Date:             Sun, 7 Feb 1999 14:13:59 -0600
From:            sgm744@sigecom.net

I have been doing some extensive research about my uncle, Lt. Willam Randall Crecelius, who served with the 22nd TCS in New Guinea and Aus from April '43 until his death on 12/19/43. His plane crashed while piloting a flight from Townsville to Rockhampton. I have a lot of names that I can give you but your best bet is to get one of the books concerning the 374th Group or 22TCS. You might start with the following people:

Mr. Wayne Monsen (22 TCS)
Camp 12 Rd
Dunbar, WI 54119

Mr. Russell Marsh
RR. 2 Box 441D
Jackson, GA 30233-9440

Herman C. Wood
AAC Enlisted Pilots Assn
P.O. Box 39202
Tacoma, WA 98439

Write if I can be of any additional help.

Sincerely and good luck,

Steve McDevitt
3815 Wellington Ct.
Owensboro, KY 42303

Subject:    Americans in Townsville.
Date:             Tue, 9 Feb 1999 21:14:39 +1100
From:           "Ronald L.Tidd" <rlt@cnl.com.au>

Hello Peter,

I too was born in Townsville, during the war, May 1943.

My father was an American serviceman. He was in the US Army Air Force, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron.

I don't see any reference to the 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron, is there one? (there is now Ron!)

I have found it very hard to get info, on this group. I may not be looking in the right place. Can you help.

I can't recall writing to you before, if I did when did I write?

I must have written to you otherwise how did you get my e-mail address?

Regards

Ron.

Subject:    Address in Townsville.
Date:             Fri, 12 Feb 1999 21:36:42 +1100
From:           "Ronald L.Tidd" <rlt@cnl.com.au>

Hi Peter,

I was just talking to my mother about Townsville, she remembered the address, it was 30 Henry St, West End. Do you know of it ? It may not be there anymore.

Ron.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

I need your help

Copyright

Disclaimer

Please e-mail me
any information or photographs

"Australia @ War"
8GB USB Memory Stick

This page first produced 10 February 1999

This page last updated 14 Nov 2023