CRASH OF A WIRRAWAY
NEAR AIR TO GROUND GUNNERY RANGE
NEAR URANQUINTY, NSW
ON 19 AUGUST 1943

Wirraway

RAAF CA-9 Wirraway A20-569 (Construction No. 770) of 5 SFTS Uranquinty, appeared to stall at 1,000 feet whilst turning on to a target during an Air to Ground Gunnery exercise with live rounds at Collingullie Bombing and Gunnery Range at about 1320 hours EST on 19 August 1943.  The Wirraway appeared to stall and went into a spin when turning in to attack the target and crashed approximately 100 yards behind the markers shelter. The pilot, and only occupant of the Wirraway, LAC Sydney Hogarth "Garth" Starmer (429410), was killed in the crash.

The Preliminary Report (External) of Flying Accident or Forced Landing held in the National Archives of Australia has him incorrectly shown as LAC S.H. Sturmer and his Serial No. is also shown incorrectly as 429460.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Gordon Barker for his assistance with this web page. Gordon knew LAC Garth Starmer.

Does anyone know the pilot's name?

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 13 June 2006

This page last updated 27 January 2020