CRASH OF A P-40 KITTYHAWK
AT GARBUTT AIRFIELD,
TOWNSVILLE, QLD
ON 22 JUNE 1943

On Tuesday 22 June 1943, just as the 15th Air Depot Group had started to work in their hangars, Major George S. Aubert, Commanding Officer of the 15th Repair Squadron of the 15th Air Depot Group, was killed in a crash of a P-40 Warhawk (Kittyhawk) at Garbutt airfield, in Townsville. In addition to being Commanding Officer he was also a test-pilot.

The cause of the crash was unknown. He was buried in the American section of the cemetery at Townsville with some twenty of his countrymen.

The following is from the American Battle Monuments Commission Home Page:-

George J. Aubert

Major, U.S. Army Air Forces

0-385368

15th Repair Squadron, 15th Air Depot Group

Entered the Service from: Louisiana
Died: June 22, 1943

Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Carl C. Jordan of the 15th Air Depot Group for providing most of the above information.

I'd also like to thank Dave Cartwright for his assistance with this home page. Dave's mother, Mary Louise Johnson Aubert Cartwright (deceased 1975), married Major George Aubert, in a ceremony in Orlando, Florida in 1942. 

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 22 July 2000

This page last updated 02 February 2020