24 March 1944 - Crash of a B-17 E Flying Fortress at Horn island

B-17E Flying Fortress, # 41-2497, nicknamed "Tojo's Nightmare", crashed during its final approach to the Horn Island airfield on 24 March 1944. The aircraft was assigned to the 5th Air Force Advance Echelon.

Andrew McLean is assisting a family friend whose father, Roy Brown, was involved in the ground rescue of the crew and would like to make contact with any of the survivors of the incident. Andrew has a copy of the accident report including all crew members and a statement from the pilot William B. Compton.

LAC Doug "Blue" Sewell of 12 RSU RAAF assisted with the rescue of the American crew following this crash. When the B-17 hit the water, the fuel tanks burst spreading fuel everywhere. "Blue" Sewell, the unit's electrician, had to disconnect the B-17's batteries because of the risk of an explosion. There was a rising tide and the spilt fuel was covering them very quickly. Another member of 12 RSU stripped off his shorts which "Blue" used to cover the battery terminals to prevent any sparking.

As 12 RSU was a repair and salvage unit, the captain of the aircraft signed it off to 12 RSU. It was loaded with many different articles, but their main concern was saving the cases of different types of grog that was being carried for the American unit's home base. The alcohol was quickly recovered and stored in various places at their camp. The men of 12 RSU had a joint celebration with several of the recovered American crew that night and they all felt worse for wear the next morning.

Photo of "Tojo's Nightmare" taken by a member of the
84th Seabees who were based on nearby Thursday Island

"PLUCKY AUSTRALIANS SAVED
CREW OF FORTRESS CRASH"

Standing shoulder deep in shark Infested waters, plucky Australian ack-ack men formed a human chain across which passed the pain-torn forms of 15 Americans who survived a B17 crack-up at an Island in Torres Strait.

Captain John D. Ewing, a test pilot at a big North Australian air depot, tells the story of the gallantry and resourcefulness of the Australians.

Captain Ewing was at the island on a routine mission, and when he heard of the accident, he hurried to the scene. Stripping down to his underwear, he soon plunged in and directed the rescue efforts.

The plane crashed in a cluster of jagged stumps that just protruded above high-tide, and had it not been for the unhesitating manner in which the Australians went to the rescue, all the occupants might have lost their lives.

At first the Australians thought the 'plane was going to strike their gun emplacement, but when it hit the sea split-seconds later, they rushed to the rescue, swimming and wading to the 'plane, and held the heads of the occupants above water until sufficient aid arrived to enable their removal.

Stretchers were brought out and the Australians standing face to face in the water, passed the Injured from 'plane to shore.

The pilot of the 'plane, with a badly broken arm, sprained ankle, and all teeth knocked out, also displayed heroism by sticking with his machine until the passengers had been removed.

Armed with axes, the Australians cut a hole In the top of the aircraft to remove occupants of the forward compartment, then dived around the 'plane to make sure all survivors had been found.

Medical Corps men arrived on the scene and administered excellent first aid, and then directed the removal of the injured to a field hospital, from which they were flown to a mainland base.

I'd like to thank Andrew H. McLean and Doug "Blue" Sewell (Kevin Douglas Sewell 61715) for their assistance with this home page.

I'd like to thank Edward Rogers for alerting me to the above article from the Townsville Daily Bulletin.

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NAME	RANK	SERIAL No.
Compton, William B.	Captain	0-124916
Donovan, E. G.	1st. Lt	0-735542
Mauske, Paul M.	1st.Lt	0-734574
Paddilla, Paul	T/Sgt	37114233
Matthews, J.C. (dec)	S/Sgt	13043675
Simmons, Julian T. (dec)	Cpl	34058427
?scudaro, Edward ?	2nd. Lt	0-735166
Steinke, Dolbert C.	T/Sgt	37114233
Porter, G.M.	T/Sgt	15082955
Krieg, Charles R.	S/Sgt	17052531
Clark, Cecil H.	T/Sgt	356?0742
Swain, ?.J.	PFC	34231906
Maziarz, John L.	S/Sgt	11096399
Poohman, Daniel	Pvt	32312336
Graf, Paul	Pvt	37401672
Underwood, T.M.	T/Sgt	6997935
Colorusso, James T.	PFC	11023706