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Bakers Creek air crash anniversary commemorated amid ongoing mystery

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Bakers Creek air crash anniversary commemorated amid ongoing mystery
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Simple Flying | Simple Flying

A B-17 Flying Fortress crash at Bakers Creek in 1943 resulted in the tragic loss of forty lives. The cause of the crash remains unclear, with potential factors including weather conditions and pilot inexperience. The incident went unreported in wartime media but is remembered annually in Virginia.

On June 14, 1943, a US Army Air Forces Boeing B-17C Flying Fortress, Serial No. 40-2072 and nicknamed "Miss Every Morning Fixin," took off from Mackay, Australia. The aircraft was carrying six crew members and 35 passengers returning to Port Moresby, New Guinea after an R&R break. Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed at Bakers Creek, Queensland, about five miles south of the airfield. Forty people perished; only Foye Kenneth Roberts survived until February 4, 2004.

Joseph Gordon Roberts was scheduled to be on the flight but missed it due to oversleeping. The aircraft had been converted into a transport following heavy battle damage earlier in its service life. Despite passing a test flight before the tragedy, it stands as Australia's deadliest aviation disaster by death toll during WWII.

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The cause remains unknown; however, foggy conditions and pilot Vern J. Gidcumb's limited experience may have contributed to the accident. Due to wartime censorship, families were not informed about details surrounding their loved ones' deaths for several years.

Cynthia Overstreet expressed surprise upon learning details about her granduncle through Dr. Robert Cutler's book: "What was said in the book about not notifying the parents was very true," she stated.

The Bakers Creek Air Crash is commemorated annually at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall near Arlington National Cemetery. This year's service featured performances by SSG Jocelyn Pride and SSG Anthony Sadlon of "Pershing's Own." Remarks were delivered by COL Tasha N. Lowery, Ambassador Kevin Rudd of Australia’s Embassy in Washington D.C., Lt. Gen Bruce Wright (Ret.), and others.

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