USAAF
5th AF
374th TCG
41st TCS
Previous Assignments
417th
BG "hack"
Justin Taylan 2003
Pilot 1st Lt. Victor N. Gibson (KIA)
Co-Pilot - 2/Lt Michael L. Reitman (KIA)
Engineer S/Sgt Everett L. Ahmann (KIA)
Radio Cpl E. L. Guigno (KIA)
Passenger Cpl Albert E. Peglow Jr., 36129389 (KIA)
Passenger T/5 T G Cucciaro (KIA)
Passenger F/O Frank McLaurin Bartlett, RAAF 265197 (KIA)
Passenger LAC Hector Richard Hore, RAAF 126243 (KIA)
Passenger Sgt Hugh John McClean, AIF NX151913 (KIA)
Passenger Sgt Philip Ernest Nicholls, AIF SX6040 (KIA)
Passenger Gnr Thomas Layton Vinecombe, AIF VX37247 (KIA)
Passenger Sgt Jack Ernest Kerr, AIF NX125184 (KIA)
Passenger Sgt Albert William Lawrence, AIF WX16521 (KIA)
Passenger Gnr Thomas Layton Vinecombe, AIF VX37247 (KIA)
MIA November 21, 1943
Aircraft History
This aircraft had Australian call sign VH-CGC pained
on it. Assigned
to the 41st Troop Carrier Squadron of the 374th TCG at the time but
had also previously served with the 417th BG as a 'hack' in the Philippines.
Mission History
Went MIA on on a flight from Wards
Drome to Archerfield,
via Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton on
21 November 1943. The aircraft
took on 6,700 pounds of cargo in Townsville and mail in Rockhampton.
After leaving Rockhampton the aircraft disappeared without trace.
Wreckage
The wreckage was discovered on June 22, 1948 near Monto, 65 miles west
of Bundaberg by
F. A. Smith. A total of 12 personnel were killed in this crash. The
wreckage was found about six miles north of a property known as "Magpie" in
a steep gully between two high hills and trees. Mr. Smith
reported the find to Monto Police, who notified the RAAF.
Wreckage included the fuselage section, wing & engine, tail and a engine 300-400 yards separate from the wreckage. Also, several engines two MT engines, and one KVA unit and three large and three small cylinders for acetylene and oxygen.
Recovery of Remains & MIA Case Solved
An RAAF Searcher Party, lead by Squadron Leader
Rundel lead the investigation into the crash site. The remains of
the Australian
and American crew members were buried in the Bundaberg
War Cemetery. It
was also found that an unknown American, Cpl Peglow, was onboard as a
passenger,
although he had not been recorded
on the manifest. The
investigation revealed that the aircraft had probably disintegrated in
midair, with both engines running, due to turbulent weather.
Later Wreckage Discoveries
The starboard wing, never found during the investigation, was discovered
1km away from the crash site in 1961. The stabilizer, door, and
other wreckage fragments were not found until 1991. The wide area
of the wreckage further reinforces the tragedy and violence of this crash
site.
Display
One of the aircraft's propellers was recovered, and is on display at
the Monto RSL Club.
References
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information.
C-47
Photo Archive
Star Duster on Australia @ War
MIAResolved
