Beautiful Betsy Crash Site - Kroombit tops national park

Today we take a look at the crash site of the WWII USAF B24 Liberator Bomber - "Beautiful Betsy".
She left Darwin for Brisbane on a Fat Cat mission on 26th February 1945 carrying 8 men, one of which was on his way to his wedding. She crashed in Kroombit tops national park. All 8 men on board died on impact. The remains of the wreck are along an easy 400m circuit walk.
The drive into the park is relatively easy but slow going due to corrugations.
Follow me on:
Facebook:
/ aussie-adventures-1731...
Instagram:
/ beyondthebackyardaustr...

[@suzannehicks5856]

I am a niece to one of the crew members of this plane. Thank you for documenting this wreckage that I will never be able to see myself but you graciously shared here. Thank you

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

You're very welcome, I am glad you got something out of watching. I can only imagine what it must be like. I hope you found it respectful.

[@sarahpipgodden]

This is my Dear Uncle Roy’s crash site, thanks for sharing!! 😊

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I am sorry for the loss your family endured, it must be good though to have some closure after 50 years of not knowing? It’s a very somber site to visit, knowing what happened. Much respect to your uncle for his service.

[@baasbowing]

❤

[@ElectraRC]

We did this trip 20 years ago. Ex RAAF/ Army this was a very special trip. Thank You.

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Me? No I’m not, I’m just a guy who loves history. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@chopprz]

Were remains of the crew ever identified and released to families? Purely honorable tribute. Well done, sir.

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. I read that they had found a few bone fragments, and personal affects but that was all. Vaguely recall some dog tags may have been found also. Such a sad ending really.

[@sarahpipgodden]

Roy was my great Uncle, there was a ceremony conducted at Arlington Cemetery - Washington DC.. you’ll find a stone there for them all.. no remains were released to us as a family. 😊

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Thank you for watching Sarah, I hope you found it appropriate and honoring. I have a great respect for the men and women who gave their lives for us.

[@rodneyringler3745]

As a son of a long line of Veteran's, that goes back to the American Revolution, as a Veteran Myself, Thank You for Sharing this and keeping the Memory of Brave Men alive. The sacrifice these Men and their Loved Ones made, are in a way still making, are reflected in the comments❣

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Thank you for watching and thank you for your service. I am glad you and others found it respectful.

[@rodneyringler3745]

@@Beyondthebackyard-au We were and still are Allies. To see Our National Cemeteries so well respected overseas is well beyond a comfort. To see sites like Betsy's respected and noted are too! I am Coast Guard. There are still so many thousands of Soldier's, Airmen, Sailor's that will never ever be found or recovered. They are remembered... they are Honored, They should never be forgotten.

[@wombat69r]

Great video, I read about the plane many years ago, I'd love go and see it one day. Thanks for sharing and well done.

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Really recommend it if you’re up that way.

[@violetmarcum5309]

My uncle was on that airplane. McDaniel was his name.

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Thank you for commenting, I hope you found the video respectful? My apologies for the late reply. Such a sad event to take place, like many others. The place definitely had a feel to it.

[@haroldmclean3755]

Betsy certainly Hit hard when she came in, You Never know though , a couple of the Crew may have survived the crash but in such a remote location that would have been incredibly tough to walk out from Lest We Forget ✝️

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Yeah, I read that most of the wreckage was left where it landed, and it was scattered over a large distance. I cant even imagine what that flight must have been like and the seconds before impact. A bit like the Stinson wreck, if anyone survived getting out was going to be impossible on their own. A very sad end for these young men.

[@4WheelsOnTheRoad]

loving the intro, looks like a great place!

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Thanks, still not perfect but it’s not too bad. Your intros inspired me lol

[@johnfrancis6010]

Jeff Brown song beautiful Betsy

[@weFishAU]

Very interesting. I hadn't heard about that wreck before. Can't help wondering if the guns were removed during the war or if the army came and removed them when it was found.

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

The plaques said it was stripped of all armament and even paint before it was retired. In fact there was some evidence that it was supposed to be grounded completely shortly after that flight.

[@Raychristofer]

Hello bro how are you? I see you upped your intro game tremendously, well done.. this video is super interesting, I think adding historical elements to these hikes makes them much more powerful.. this may sound strange but whenever I think about world war II or watch documentaries I never hear about Australia's involvement or anything related happening on the continent. If I could live life over I would be a pilot

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Thanks man :) History fascinates me, it was my favourite subject at high school. Have have some WW2 history here in Aus, not as much Europe, but we had the Japanese knocking on our doorstep ready to invade until you guys stepped in. Darwin was bombed, bit like pearl harbour. We have tank traps setup around the qld nsw border for the plan to retreat south as the Japanese marched forward, I think we were basically preparing for invasion when US started pushing back. Being a pilot would be fun, and pretty exhilarating. It’s not too late for you learn though. My dad has a private pilots license to fly light aircraft. Don’t know about the US but here it’s upward of $10k to get now though :(

[@baasbowing]

Does anybody have a latlong (or a pinpoint location on Google maps) for this site? Great video, thanks!

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

You can google it and find the location. You can drive almost all the way. Maybe a 400m walk from the dirt track in kroombit tops national park.