Home » Themes » Conflict » World War Two
Catalina A24-24 Memorial Print Page 
The plaque unveiled on the 70th anniversary commememorates those on board the Catalina A24-24 who were killed when the aeroplane crashed off Bowen during World War Two. A plaque has also been unveiled at the crash site.
The Catalina, A24-24, of 20 Squadron RAAF, took off from Bowen on 17 August 1943 on an air to sea gunnery training exercise flight. At the conclusion of firing practice, the aeroplane was making a run across the wave tops over a choppy sea and it is assumed that the port wing hit the water and the aeroplane crashed into the sea and sank approximately 8 kilometres east of Bowen.
Six crew members were killed and in addition eight Army Medical Corps (AAMC) personnel of the 2nd / 7th Australian General Hospital who were passengers on the Catalina, were missing believed killed. Two crew members were rescued. It was the largest fatality toll in regards to a Catalina crash during World War Two in Bowen.
Location
| Address: | Santa Barbara Parade, Catalina Memorial , Bowen , 4805 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -20.01806 Long: 148.246695 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 17-August-1943 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 17-August-1943 |
| Link: | http://www.dva.gov.au/consultation-… |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 17th August, 2013 |
|---|
In memory of the 14 young men lost in the crash of Catalina A24-24 on the 17th August, 1943 off the coast of Bowen during World War II
Royal Australian Air Force :
20 Squadron
[ Names ]
Australian Army Medical Corps :
2 / 7th Australian General Hospital
[ Names ]
They shall not grow, as we that are left grow old :
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget
