Rewan USAAF Douglas C-47A Crash Memorial

A concrete and stone cairn with inset plaques

Memorial information

Description

This memorial commemorates the crash of USAAF Douglas C-47 Dakota 42-23589 on 16 November 1943, which claimed the lives of 5 US and 14 Australian servicemen.

A large US star roundel made of concrete and stones displays an upright wing, an engine and landing gear consolidated from the aircraft wreckage. It also contains a concrete and stone cairn into which a plaque is mounted. Outside of the circle, the other wrecked wing is mounted atop three poles.

Inscription

[Circular plaque on cairn]

This cairn was erected by members of Roma Boys Scouts Group (Venturers) and Roma and Injune R.S.L. in memory of American and Australian personnel aboard the C47B Dakota aircraft which crashed here during a violent electrical storm on 16th November 1943 while en route from Darwin to Brisbane, there being no survivors.

The following personnel were killed in this crash

United States Army Air Corps
First Lt. R.E. Anglin (Pilot)
Second Lt. J.W. Kennedy (Co-Pilot)
Sgt. Ropinski (Engineer)
Sgt. H.L. Baumstein (Radio Operator)
Sgt. R.L. Adkins

Royal Australian Air Force
F/Lt. R.E. Abbot
F/Lt. A.E. Watkin
Act/Sgt. R.K. Pitchford
Cpl. W. Brady
Cpl. F.P. Morris
LAC. J.G. Maxwell
LAC. S.K. Sims

Australian Army
Lt. H.H. Lockie
Lt. R. Rowsell
Sgt. V.F. Bishop
Sgt. W.J. Parker
L/Sgt. T.W. Davey
Gnr W.H. Dorman
Pte A.H. Mildren

The American personnel were returned to USA for interment.

The Australian personnel were interred at Rockhampton Cemetery.

[Square plaque on cairn]

The Assault Pioneer Platoon 25 Battalion RQR assisted in the recovery of the wreckage and the erection of this memorial.

Oct 1979

Conflicts

World War II

Memorial type

Stone/cairn/plinth, Structure

Contributions

John and Kerry Dickson

Photos