CRASH OF A B-24D LIBERATOR
AT FENTON AIRFIELD, NT
ON 21 NOVEMBER 1943

B-24D-90-CO Liberator #42-40683 "The Colossal Fossil" of the 528th Bomb Squadron, 380th Bomb Group crash landed at Fenton Airfield in the Northern Territory on 21 November 1943. It was out of fuel after a mission to Manokwari.

The "Colossal Fossil" had earlier been attached to the 403rd Bomb Squadron, of the 43rd Bomb Group.

Photo:- Bob Livingstone collection

#42-40683 "The Colossal Fossil"

Photo:- Jean-Louis Delattre

#42-40683 "The Colossal Fossil"

Note:- The book "King of the Heavies" - 380th Bomb Group 1942-1945" has an incorrect entry at top right hand column of page 130 for the crash of B-24D Liberator #42-63683 of 528th BS at Fenton Airfield on 7 Nov 1943. Aircraft #42-63683 was not even a B-24 Liberator and was not in the 380th Bomb Group. It is most likely confused with the above entry for #42-40683 "The Colossal Fossil".

REFERENCES

Data Sheet - B-24D-90-CO #42-40683

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Bob Livingstone and Barbara Gotham for their assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 20 May 2022

This page last updated 20 May 2022