15 May 1942 - Crash of a B-26 Marauder at Reid River near Townsville

15 MAY 1942
CRASH OF A B-26 MARAUDER AT REID RIVER

visits since 10 April 2007

A B-26 Marauder, aircraft #40-1390, "Lil de Icer", of 408th Squadron, 22nd Bombardment Group, crashed on 15 May 1942 on take off at Reid River, Australia near Townsville.

Tragically, the following crew were killed in this crash:-

Lt. John A. Phipps, pilot
Lt. Robert "Bud" M. Rye, pilot
Lt. James W. Currie, bombardier
S/Sgt. George H. Bullock, engineer
T/Sgt. John E. Cunningham, crew chief
Cpl. Duward R. Davis, Jr., engineer
Cpl. Joseph A. Kovach, mechanic
Lt. Jack W. Oliver, pilot (passenger)

NOTE:- The book "The Forgotten Fifth" shows the nickname of this aircraft as "Lib De Icer" whereas the 22nd Bombardment Group Home Page shows its nickname as "Lil de Icer"

SOURCE:- 22nd Bombardment Group Home Page

REFERENCE BOOK

The Forgotten Fifth
A Classic Photographic Chronology of the
Fifth Air Force in Action in the Pacific in WW2
By Michael Claringbould

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