Cemetery
Bundaberg General Cemetery, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
Locality on Enlistment
360 New Jersey Avenue, Kings, New York, USA
Notes
Son of Rubin and Rose Reitman. Crash of C-47 Dakota of the 374th Transport Group. C-47-DL, Dakota, #41-18648, Directorate of Air Transport radio call sign VHCGC, "Star Duster", of the 21 Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Transport Group, was lost on its final leg from Ward's airfield in New Guinea to Archerfield via Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton on 21 November 1943. It took on 6,700 pounds of cargo in Townsville and mail in Rockhampton. After leaving Rockhampton at 1147K hours, headed for Brisbane, the aircraft disappeared without trace. The wreckage was located on 21 June 1948 in the Monto area, 65 miles West of Bundaberg at 24.55S by 151.20E by stockman, Mr FA Smith. A total of 13 personnel were killed in this crash. The wreckage was found about six miles North of a property known as Magpie Station in a steep gully between two high hills, in timbered country. Mr Smith reported the find to Monto Police. The wreckage was identified by an RAAF search officer. The subsequent investigation revealed that the aircraft had probably disintegrated in mid-air due to turbulent weather. There had a been a severe fire on the ground in the vicinity of the main wreckage. The starboard wing and engine were initially not found. The starboard mainplane and both elevators were eventually located about 1 km from the fuselage. The starboard motor was located 300 to 400 yards from the main wreckage. As there was no damage to nearby trees it was determined that this engine had come adrift in mid air. The American crew consisted of: 1st LT Victor Noah Gibson, pilot; 2nd LT Michael L Reitman, co-pilot; S/SGT Everett Louis "Bussie" Ahmann, aerial engineer; CPL John F Giugno (or Guigno), radio operator. American passengers: Technician 5th Grade Albert E Peglow Jr (from Bay City, Bay County, Michigan) T/SGT Thomas G. Cucciaro. Australian Passengers: A/SGT Hugh John McClean (Australian Army NX151913 - HQ Moresby Base Sub Area); SGT Philip Ernest Nicholls (Australian Army SX6040 Accounts Office QLD L of C); Gunner Thomas Layton Vinecombe (Australian Army VX37247 - 2/3 Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment); SGT Jack Ernest Kerr (Australian Army NX125184 - 165 General Transport Company); SGT Albert William Lawrence (Australian Army WX16521 - 2/4 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment RAA); F/O Frank McLaurin Bartlett (RAAF 265197 - 25 Operational Base Unit); LAC Hector Richard Hore (RAAF 126243 - 20 Squadron)
John Monash (Monasch) born
in Melbourne, Australia on 27 June 1865, the son of
German Polish Jewish migrants, can be researched in any
military history encyclopaedia or in fact by just
‘Googling’ his name on the internet. His history
and list of achievements are long and far too many to detail
in this brief summary. However, might I say that reading his
history is well worth the effort and I can assure you that
his deeds will amaze you. I have found that the deeds are
better labelled on more than one man and in more than one
lifetime.
An
announcement was made in the weeks leading up to the
Centenary of ANZAC by Judy Landau, President VAJEX Aust.
She stated that it gave her great delight to announce
that VAJEX Aust (Victorian Association of Jewish Ex
& Servicemen & Women Australia Inc) has
successfully raised the required funds to build a new
Victorian Jewish Memorial after the style of the
historic Memorial located in the Jewish section of the
Melbourne General Cemetery. After an extensive two year
process, Judy has single-handedly sought letters of
support, raised the funds, and obtained approval from
the City of Port Phillip.
