P38 Lightning Crash Biboorah Qld Australia

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ironrange
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P38 Lightning Crash Biboorah Qld Australia

Post by ironrange »

On the 9th August 1943 2nd Lt Andrew Kendall DUKE was killed at Biboorah, north of Mareeba Queensland Australia in a P38 Lightning. Does anyone have a photograph of DUKE? Anyone know anything at all.

PF
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Re: P38 Lightning Crash Biboorah Qld Australia

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Daniel Leahy
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Re: P38 Lightning Crash Biboorah Qld Australia

Post by Daniel Leahy »

I'm yet to find a photo of Duke, though this might be of interest...

Missing Aircrew Report #15853 seems to deal with this case - it is available at Fold3, HERE.

Duke was serving with the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group at the time of his death. The MACR lists the following:

"Pilot was attempting single engine landing at Bomber Strip at Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. His left engine was feathered. Belly tanks were not dropped. When wheels were lowered plane began to lose altitude and crashed five (5) miles north of Mareeba at Biboohra at 1605, August 9, 1943."

It also goes on to state that "Graves Registration Records show that 2nd Lt Andrew K Duke, 0736157, was buried 12 Aug 43 in USAF Cemetery, Townsville, Australia, in Grave No 296".

A letter from Duke's mother, included in the above MACR, indicates that she had also received word that her youngest son was missing in action.
Daniel J. Leahy
Australia

AIR POWER ARCHAEOLOGY
http://www.airpowerarchaeologyc.com

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