USAF - B24 WRECKAGE - FOIL PROOF MARY

Hi again 

 Not long after arriving at Croker Island local people told me of a B24 bomber wreckage from WW2 in the northern part of the island. No one had been to this part of the island for many years due to there being no tracks, access from the sea is tricky due to the reefs and also due to numerous culturally sensitive sites nearby.

The US airforce B24 bomber named 'Foil Proof Mary' was returning from a mission to the north where they had encountered anti-aircraft fire which resulted in two of the four engines being taken out of action. Approaching Croker Island the two good engines were running hot and they were low on fuel. The captain  decided to force land on a clear area near Cape Croker. He order the non-flying crew to parachute. Only six of the nine crew jumped. It is not know why the last three failed to jump however that turned out to be a bad decision as they all died in the post impact fire. The captain died the following day from his injuries. The surviving crew were rescued by HMAS Inverell.  

Below is a Google Earth image showing the wreckage site. 

The drone photo below shows the site - the larger clump of trees at the bottom of the photo. This photo is looking towards the east.

The drone photo below is looking towards the west from above the wreckage and shows the exposed reefs at low tide along this part of the coast.

The drone photo below is looking towards the north. Part of the wreckage can be seen in the trees. Two other ‘man made’ objects can be seen outside the trees - possible B24 parts??

This photo is taken from 30 meters and facing towards the north east. What looks like a wing can be seen in the trees. I could not go any lower without risking loosing contact with the drone. In the bottom left corner is a possible pieces of wreckage.

Below is a photo I have obtained of the B24 wreckage taken in the 1980s with considerably less vegetation around the site.

Below is a photo of the wreckage taken a few days after the crash in 1944. Back then there was no vegetation. The site appears to be an great choice for a forced landing site however a small ditch brought the aircraft to a sudden halt injuring the captain and starting the fire.

Three crew died at this site and the captain enroute to Darwin the following day. Sadly four families in the USA never welcomed home their servicemen.