FORCED LANDING OF A KITTYHAWK
ON BEACH 8 MILES NORTH OF COOKTOWN, QLD
ON 25 MARCH 1942

On 25 March 1942, five Kittyhawks allocated to 75 Squadron arrived in Townsville with F/Lt Boyd in charge of the flight. F/O Cox, Sgt Sims and Sgt Havard escorted by a Lockheed Hudson from 32 Squadron left Townsville for Port Moresby.

Sgt Sims was delayed at Cooktown on 25 March 1942 with a damaged tail wheel. Sgt. Havard made a forced landing on a beach 8 miles north of Cooktown on 25 March 1942.

F/O Cox flew back to Cooktown and boarded a motor launch and headed for the beach. F/O Cox successfully took off Havard's aircraft and flew it back to Cooktown. Sgt Havard returned to Cooktown on the motor launch.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

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