Production-block:
Boeing B-17E: 41-2393 to 41-2669
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 19th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 93rd Bomb Squadron
MACR: 16432
History of
B-17 41-2650
Delivered Minneapolis 7/3/42; Assigned 93BS/19BG Hawaii 5/5/42; then Townsville, Aus.; Missing in Action Rabual 17/9/42 with Claude Burcky, Co-pilot: Gus Rapisardi, Bombardier: Don Miller, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Lloyd Chamberlain, Radio Operator: John Naglich, Waist gunner: Norris Reyolds, Waist gunner: Larry Johnson,Tail gunner: George Schmid (8RTD, four picked up by RAAF Catalina); Navigator: Bill Meenagh (KIA body never found); crew bailed out near Weiper, Cape York, Qld, Aus; aircraft found on Coen River on Gulf of Carpentaria. Salvaged. Missing Air Crew Report 16432.
Last updated: 7. March 2022
17. March 2018 access_time 6:54
I visited the site of the crash in September 2009. The debris field is scattered over a wide area in a remote part of Cape York Australia and can only be accessed in the dry season and by gps marking. I was fortunate to visit after a fire had cleared the area of grass and scrub making it easy to see small pieces of aircraft on the ground. It would be nice to see a memorial to Bill Meenagh near the site even though he was not killed in the crash.
06. December 2020 access_time 9:48
Hi Bob,
I’m a Weipa resident for about 10 years. When my GPS got stolen I lost the coordinates for 41-2650. I trudged through the bush on my quad for hours today but couldn’t find the wreckage. All tracks from my memory have disappeared. I would really appreciate you providing the coordinates if you have them.
Cheers,
Rod Sisson
0429 342 211
07. September 2022 access_time 11:36
Hi Bob, I finally located some GPS coordinates. Going to the site this Saturday 10th Sept 2022 to check it out and take a few pics.. Cheers, Rod 0429 342 211