~~ Mareeba Aerodrome ~~

This is a large monument. Back is straight up and down made of large ‘tiles’ of whitish marble with top stepped

 

****Picture of monument to be supplied

 

Attached to this off side right is a large metal three bladed propeller.
One blade ‘rests’ on a large block of white marble that has a metal plaque set into it.

This block also rests into water which is about 2 feet deep with a circular spray from a spout about 18” in the air. The front of the feature is a semi-circular tiles with dark blue small tiles and the front is also tiled in blue tiles but larger.

Condition:

At the time of transcription on 02/02/07, it had been raining and the front tiles were muddy as the ground in front of this monument is bare of grass as it is under the shelter of trees.

Future Action:

Maybe at a later date this can be rectified with tiles being laid there as this would keep the water monument clean and prevent mud from being thrown up and make it look cleaner and brighter.
Other than the mud it seems in very good condition.

Frontal Plaque:                                  at the Centre - a Model of a Plane

 

On the Left - the RAAF Insignia

 

****Picture of monument to be supplied


On the Right - USAAF Insignia

MAREEBA AERODROME

This aerodrome played a decisive part in
Keeping Australia free from invasion
During second World War-1939 –45
Allied aircraft from the 19th and 43rd
Bombardment groups of the United States’ army airforce
And from the RAAF
Launched an air offensive against the
Japanese invaders in June/July, 1942

Four other plaques are on the left side of the monument.
1.   2.
MAREEBA AERODROME
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of
Those who served with No 5 Squadron RAAF
Based at Mareeba Aerodrome from
28th May, 1943 to 17th November 1944
 
MAREEBA AERODROME
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of
Those who served with No 5 Squadron RAAF
Based at Mareeba Aerodrome from
28th May, 1943 to 17th November 1944
3.  

4.

MAREEBA AERODROME 1939 – 1945
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of
The ten (10) U.S. servicemen,
Aircrew of a B17 Flying Fortress bomber
Who lost their lives when their plane crashed
In the vicinity of the Mareeba Aerodrome in July, 1942
 
MAREEBA AERODROME 1939 – 1945
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of
ANDREW KENDALL DUKE 22 years
Of Oxford, Mississippi USA
Who was killed when his Lockheed P38
Lightning fighter bomber
Crashed near Bibboohra
On 9th August, 1943
 

In the car park there is another monument.
This is of painted cement shaped like a triangle with the point cut off and it could do with some TLC.
There is a metal plaque set in to it with the inscription:
Commemorating
the decisive part
this aerodrome played
in maintaining Australia
free from invasion
1942 - 1945

 

 

****Picture of monument to be supplied