17 January 1945 - Crash of a B-24J Liberator on Cox Peninsula, NT

CRASH OF A B-24J LIBERATOR
ON THE COX PENINSULA, NT
ON 17 JANUARY 1945

On 17 January 1945, USAAF B-24J-15-CO LIberator, #42-73134 "Milady", of the 531st Bombardment Squadron of the 380th Bombardment Group crashed after take-off on the Cox Peninsula west of Darwin in the Northern Territory. All of the crew were killed in this tragic accident. Some remains of the wreckage of "Milady" can still be seen on Cox Peninsula today.

The 531st Bomb Squadron was based at RAAF Darwin and "Milady" was on a practice bombing mission over Quail Island at the time of the accident. The aircraft caught fire and the pilot was able to fly the B-24 Liberator back to the mainland before it crashed killing all of the crew as follows:-

2nd Lt. Bobby T. Neal (O823712)
2nd Lt. Walter E. Scanlon, Jr. (O711027)
2nd Lt. William G. Ward, Jr. (O2064690)
2nd Lt. Richard W. Walsh (O777385)
Sgt. Francisco Caballero (38553915)
Sgt Gerald D. Sacre (17122357)

The above men were all buried in the Rookwood US Military Cemetery in Sydney before their bodies were exhumed and returned the the United States after the war. They may have been buried in the Northern Territory for some time before being relocated to Rookwood Cemetery.

The following entry is from the RAAF Unit History Sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Air Defence Headquarters Jan 45 - Mar 45:-

17 Jan 45

Fatal Crash - B24 Aeroplane Darwin Area. At 170940JK a report was received by Controller, AIR DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS that an aeroplane had crashed at Pt. Charles. An immediate check was made of all aeroplanes in the air and all were contacted except of one five B24's of 380 Bomb Group, engaged upon local flying.

It was found that this aeroplane had crashed in the position referred to, killing the crew of six members.

Five bodies were in the crashed aeroplane and one nearby, all bodies were in a very burnt condition, the only immediate evidence of identification being a satchel marked "2LT. R.W. WALSH".

Recovery and transport of the bodies was carried out under the direction of the Controller, AIR DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS. Effective assistance was given by personnel of Searchlight Units in the area of the crash and by RAAF Marine Section. The number of the aeroplane was 273/134.

The following entry is from the RAAF Unit History Sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] RAAF Station Darwin Jun 40 - Jun 52:-

17 Jan 45

At 0945 hours on 17th One (1) Liberator of the USAAF crashed at WEST POINT. Marine Craft 03-1 was immediately dispatched from Marine Section to the scene of the accident. Six (6) bodies which were badly burned were recovered from the wreckage of the aircraft by Pilot Officer MOODY and a party of Marine Personnel at 1640 hours on the same day.

Photo:- Rick Hanning