CRASH OF P-39D-1 AIRACOBRA
NEAR CAIRNS, QLD
ON 24 MARCH 1943

2nd Lieutenant Paul C. Beaubien (0-667633), from the 35th Fighter Squadron of the 8th Fighter Group, USAAF lost control of his P-39D-1 Airacobra at low altitude near Cairns in north Queensland on 24 March 1943. He tried to bail out at about 200 feet. His parachute did not have enough time to open and his body was recovered near Cairns. Beaubien was from Laredo, Texas and had probably only just joined the Squadron. He was buried at the Townsville US Cemetery on 27 March 1943.

REFERENCE BOOK

"Attack & Conquer"
"The 8th Fighter Group in World War II"
by John C. Stanaway & Lawrence J. Hickey

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 23 September 2000

This page last updated 02 February 2020