30 September 1944 - Crash of a B-25 Mitchell in Moreton Bay

30 SEPTEMBER 1944
CRASH OF A B-25 MITCHELL
IN MORETON BAY, QLD

B-25D-30 Mitchell, #43-3488 of the Fifth Bomber Command, USAAF, crashed into Moreton Bay off Brisbane on 30 September 1944, 100 yards seawards off the Queensland Pile Light after taking off from Eagle Farm airfield. The water in the area was 12 to 25 fathoms deep. An eye witness stated that the aircraft was flying faitly high when it suddenly went into a steep dive and appeared to disintegrate just before it struck the water.

The aircraft was piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Ross A. Sieh, 0-874047, of the 15th Weather Squadron from the Fifth Bomber Command. He is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea. He is shown on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery. A Queensland Police launch was quickly on the scene of the crash. Three of the crew were killed in the crash. A total of 5 people were killed.

2nd Lt Ross A. Sieh
W/O John Newton
Drierst
Kryk
Flora May Logan, 21 years old, of Wooloowin, civilian employee of the Americans

The bodies of Drierst and Kryk were eventually recovered by Queensland Water Police. There is a S/Sgt Edward L. Kryk (13012280) shown buried at the US Military Cemetery at Ipswich. No entry for Drierst.

There is a Warrant Officer Junior Grade, John W. Newton, Jr, #W2107177, of the 15th Weather Squadron shown on the American Battle Monuments Commission We site who was killed on this date and is probably the same person as listed above. He entered the service in South Carolina and is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea. He is shown on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.

Apparently this wreck was never recovered and may still be visible to this day. (Has anyone been diving on this wreck?) UPDATE:- An article listed below of 9 October 1944 suggests that the wreckage was salvaged.

REFERENCES

"5 Killed in Plane Crash", Goulburn Evening Post, 6 October 1944

"5 Killed in Plane Crash", Singleton Argus, 9 October 1944

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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

SOURCE:- Aircraft Crash Sites - Australia

Crash: No. 19

Position: 27.22 - 153.12

Department of Aviation Chart No: 3340

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products