15 MAY 1942
CRASH OF A B-26 MARAUDER
AT GARBUTT AIRFIELD, QLD

B-26 Marauder, #40-1489 of 2nd Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bombardment Group, crashed during takeoff at Garbutt Airfield on 15 May 1942. It was returning to Reid River Airfield after picking up the mail at Garbutt Airfield. The B-26 blew the tyre on teh nose wheel and also one main wheel. It ran of fthe end of the runway and buckled its fuselage. There were no injuries. The B-26 was salvaged.

Subject:    #1489
Date:             Sun, 25 Jul 1999 14:36:04 -0700
From:           Cyril Klimesh <cyklim@sonic.net>

Re: #1489. reported as having made a hard landing and buckling the fuselage. The ship was flown from the US by Lt. Sutton. A 2nd Sad combat record shows him flying her on a search mission for an enemy convoy on 8 May. This 8 May report concludes: "40-1489 returned to Townsville due to mechanical trouble."

A 22nd Group history notes that 40-1489 was lost 15 May 1942 as a result of "Hard landing, buckled fuselage" due to "Personal Failure". Pilot's name is not given. I found no further mention of the plane. On 16 May and subsequent missions, Sutton was flying 40-1480.

Keep 'em Flying!

Cy

SOURCE:-     22nd Bombardment Group Home Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Cy Klimesh and Gordon Birkett for their assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 20 September 1998

This page last updated 20 September 1998