B-25 Mitchell crash site

[Naxos]

While hiking in remote mountains my wife and I came across the wreck of a B-25 Mitchell bomber. Sadly all of the crew perished in the crash.

Hardy

Edited October 19, 2007 by Naxos

[Naxos]

[Naxos]

[Chris Boonzaier]

An eerie thing to stumble on deep in the woods.

All the best

Chris

[Naxos]

An eerie thing to stumble on deep in the woods.

All the best

Chris

Yes Chris ,eerie, the crew was missing for five years before the site was discovered by a hunter.

The wreck is almost untouched - you can see the tops of the trees still missing for several hundred meters then you see the sheered wings lying next to each other and the fuselage another hundred meters downhill were it disintegrated. The two large Wright engines are torn to bids.

Hardy

Edited October 19, 2007 by Naxos

[Guest Rick Research]

Most startling is how FRESH all that aluminum debris looks. Since the guns and bombs must have been taken away back then, it would take a real close look to tell this was not... say... that missing billionaire balloonist or some other RECENT crash site.

[Hauptmann]

Tragic that the crew lost their lives. Very glad they found it though so their remains could be returned to their families and given a proper burial. And nice that they've put up a memorial there as well.

Dan

[Paul R]

That is a creepy scene. There could not have been much left of the remains, judging by the cockpit console.

[Naxos]

In Remembrance

The Crew of Mitchell Mk. III D-10 RCAF No. 413 Sqdn. (P)

Lost on Oct. 18, 1947

Pilot Flight Lieutenant

JOHN LESLIE MACLEOD, DFC

Service Number: 20052

Age: 28

Force: Air Force

Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force

Division: 413 Sqdn.

Citation: Distinguished Flying Cross, Atlantic Star, War Medal 1939-45, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, 1939-45 Star, Operational Wings and Pilots Flying Badge.

Honours and Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross

Date of Birth: April 24, 1919

Glen Norman, Ontario, Canada

Date of Enlistment: February 9, 1942

Son of Donald Alexander and Blanche Louisa (n?e Baldy) MacLeod, of Cornwall, Ontario; husband of Dorothy Alice (n?e Veinet) MacLeod of Ottawa, Ontario. Brother of Duncan Rae, Donald Edgar and Marjorie Louise

MacLEOD, F/O John Leslie (J24399) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.160 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron - Award effective 1 December 1945 as per Canada Gazette dated 15 December 1945 and AFRO 183/46 dated 22 February 1946. Born in Alexandria, Ontario, 24 April 1919. Attended Queens University (B.Commerce). Home in Kingston, Ontario; enlisted in Toronto, 21 January 1942 where he had been an auditor. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 29 August 1942), No.12 EFTS (graduated 23 October 1942), and No.9 SFTS (graduated 19 March 1943). As of recommendation he had flown 1,380 hours, 865 operational (105 sorties). Remained in postwar RCAF, first with No.5 Equipment Depot, then AFHQ. Assigned to No.413 (Photographic) Squadron, September 1947; missing on a flight on 18 October 1947 (No.413 Squadron Mitchell). Sent by registered mail to next-of-kin, 7 November 1949.

"This pilot and captain has completed most successfully many operational sorties. His ability to handle his crew resulted in their being selected as one of the best in the squadron. His steadiness in undertaking all task, his courage and cool efficiency have made him an excellent pilot whose service in operational flying is most praiseworthy."

. Flight Lieutenant MacLeod is also commemorated on a cairn at Mount Glory near Rossland, British Columbia.

Flying Officer

GEORGES YVON LEBEL, DFC

Service Number: 26356

Age: 25

Force: Air Force

Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force

Division: 413 Sqdn.

Citation: Distinguished Flying Cross, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, Operational Wings, War Medal 1939-1945

Honours and Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross

Date of Birth: February 20, 1922

Cacouna, Qu?bec, Canada

Date of Enlistment: June 26, 1940

Quebec, Qu?bec, Canada

Son of Jean Baptiste Lebel and Cordelia Lebel, of Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec.

LEBEL, P/O Georges Yvon (J85624) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.429 Squadron - Award effective 21 July 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2052/44 dated 22 September 1944. Born 1922 at Cacouna, Quebec; home there; enlisted Quebec, 26 June 1940. Trained at No.2 WS (graduated 20 January 1941) and No.4 BGS (graduated 15 March 1941). Commissioned 1944. Invested at Buckingham Palace, 11 August 1944. Missing, presumed dead, 18 October 1947 following crash of a Mitchell, No.413 Squadron. DHist file 181.009 D.5524 (RG.24 Vol.20667) has recommendation dated 29 May 1944 when he had flown 47 sorties; he must have been on second tour. Recommended again, 21 June 1944 following his 50th sortie.

As air gunner this officer has taken part in a large number of sorties involving attacks on a wide range of enemy targets. He has proved himself to be a skilful and determined member of aircraft crew and his exemplary conduct in the face of the enemy has won great praise.

Flying Officer

BENJAMIN THOMAS COOK , DFM

Service Number: 19826

Age: 28

Force: Air Force

Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force

Division: 413 Sqdn.

Citation: Distinguished Flying Medal

Honours and Awards: Distinguished Flying Medal

Date of Birth: March 17, 1919

Glenella, Manitoba, Canada

Date of Enlistment: October 1, 1946

Son of William Jefferson Cook and Edith Cook. Husband of Gladys Mather Cook, of Penticton, British Columbia. Father of Barry and Charlene Cook. Brother of William, Stanley, Harold, Edith Cook and Dorthy M. Wood.

Flying Officer

ARTHUR GOLD ROBERTSON

died on October 18, 1947

Service Number: J/28663

Age: 32

Force: Air Force

Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force

Division: 413 Sqdn.

Citation: 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Pilot Flying Badge, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Maple Leaf Emblem, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45.

Date of Birth: November 1, 1914

Stoney Mountain, Manitoba, Canada

Date of Enlistment: July 23, 1943

Son of James Paul and Janet Georgina (n?e Stevens) Robertson of Stony Mountain, Manitoba. Husband of Muriel Irene (n?e McCullough) and father of Brian Arthur of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Brother of James Melvin, Norace E., Robert Edgar, Sidney Allan, Jean Olive and Ruby E. Robertson. Flight Lieutenant MacLeod is also commemorated on a cairn at Mount Glory near Rossland, British Columbia.

Leading Aircraftman

BLISS EUGENE STRADIE BOWMAN

died on October 18, 1947

Service Number: R/195797

Age: 24

Force: Air Force

Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force

Division: 413 Sqdn.

Citation: War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

Date of Birth: January 19, 1923

Winchester, Ontario, Canada

Date of Enlistment: October 26, 1942

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Son of James and Olive Bowman; husband of Joyce Bowman, of Inkerman, Ontario.

Lance Corporal

WILLIAM HUGH MOLYNEAUX

died on October 18, 1947

Service Number: M577343

Age: 24

Force: Air Force

Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force

Division: 413 Photo Sqdn.

Citation: Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal

Date of Birth: April 19, 1923

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Date of Enlistment: October 1, 1946

Son of William H. Molyneaux. Brother of Roy, James, John Molyneaux, Evelyn Hodge and Mrs. A.R. Munro.

Corporal

JAMES NOAH SABOURIN

died on October 18, 1947

Service Number: 22103

Age: 25

Force: Air Force

Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force

Division: 413 Sqdn.

Citation: 1939-1945 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

Date of Birth: May 24, 1922

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Date of Enlistment: February 17, 1941

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Son of Joseph Noah and Edith Sabourin; husband of Ruth C. M. Sabourin, of Moncton, New Brunswick.

Edited November 13, 2007 by Naxos