16 AUGUST 1942
CRASH OF A B-24 LIBERATOR
AT YORKEY'S KNOB, QLD

USAAF B-24 Liberator bomber crashed into the sea near Yorkey's Knob near Cairns on 16 August 1942. No further information.

The list of "Aircraft Crash Sites - Australia" shows the date as 16/20 August 1942.

REFERENCE BOOK

"Diary of WWII - North Queensland"
Complied by Peter Nielsen

SOURCE:-   Aircraft Crash Sites - Australia

Crash:         No. 28

Position:     16.51 - 145.46

Department of Aviation Chart No:       3219

Subject:    WW2 Aircraft wrecks
Date:             Fri, 4 Jun 1999 15:40:35 +1000
From: "Paul Snow" <imocns@unionsteel.com.au>

Just for you info: crash of B-24 of Yorkeys Knob was actually a B-17 (see comments below) and the Gypsy Major in Freshwater Valley is a Dehaviland Dragon (see comments below). You have an excellent web site. My information comes from Steve Fowler, Bayview Heights, Cairns. He actually went and found what was left of the Dragon.

The B-17 was destroyed by a flare igniting in flight.

Many thanks
Paul Snow

COMMENTS:-  My records indicate that the B-17, which was destroyed by an igniting flare, actually crashed the next day on 17 August 1942.  So this may be a different crash of a B-24 on the previous day.  I'll change the Gypsy Major to a Dragon as it looks more correct. The A34 series of RAAF aircraft were Dragons.  Regards Peter Dunn

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 7 February 1999

This page last updated 5 June 1999