CRASH OF A B-24D LIBERATOR
AT QUINTEL BEACH, FAR NORTH QLD
ON 15 NOVEMBER 1042
B-24D Liberator #41-23718 "The Condor" of the 400th Bomb Squadron, 90th Bomb Group, experienced fuel transfer issues on its approach to Iron Range Airfield on 15 November 1942. "The Condor" was landed on Quintel Beach by Lieutenant Dale J. Thornhill collapsing one of its main undercarriage.
Another aircraft saw the forced landing and reported the exact location back to base. The rescue team led by 400th Bomb Squadron Flight Surgeon, Dr. Sanderson, arrived early that afternoon in some jeeps that were driven along the beach. Capt. Thomas C. Fetter removed the top secret Norden bombsight and wrapped it in a blanket for its journey back to their base where he handed it over to the Armament Section.
The crew of "The Condor" was as follows:-
Major Dale J. Thornhill, 416927 - Pilot
1st Lt. Lewis G. Jones, O-728089 - Co-pilot
S/Sgt. Bryon H. Ewick, 19005212 - Radio Operator
T/Sgt. Oscar A. Sjolin, 37109688 - A/Engineer
Capt. Thomas C. Fetter, 726891 - Bombardier
2nd Lt. Milton Drisken, 790947 - Navigator
T/Sgt. Rudolph Vetter, 39381460 - Flight Engineer
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
The aircraft was abandoned after a partial attempt to salvage it over a three day period. The engines and all easily removable equipment were removed and the main body was left on the beach. Today all that is left are just a few small pieces sticking out of the sand when the beach erodes in a storm.
B-24D Liberator #41-23718 "The Condor"
B-24D Liberator #41-23718 "The Condor"
B-24D Liberator #41-23718 "The Condor"
B-24D Liberator #41-23718 "The Condor"
Photo:- Via Bob Tupa
B-24D Liberator #41-23718 "The Condor"
The late Barry Ralph, author of "Savage Wilderness" noted that Dale J. Thornhill's B-24 Liberator, "The Condor", had damaged a wingtip while taxiing at Iron Range. Barry commented that after hasty repairs at Port Moresby the ship continued the mission, but because of the damage the crew were unable to conserve fuel.
REFERENCES
"South Pacific Air War - Volume 5 - Crisis in Papua September - December 1942" by Michael Claringbould and Peter Ingman
"Aircraft Crashes of Northern Queensland Australia 1942 - 1945" by Michael D. Musumeci
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I'd like to thank Bob Livingstone and Bob Tupa for their assistance with this web page.
Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?
"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products
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This page first produced 27 February 2022
This page last updated 01 March 2022