By HARS media officer Ian Badham
On Sunday, May 18, three vintage aircraft from HARS Aviation Museum will fly an aerial tribute during this year’s service to remember the tragic shipwreck of an American military ship off Bass Point, Shellharbour during the Second World War.
Four Australian soldiers were swept to their death during the rescue of all 62 crew from the oil tanker 'Cities Service Boston', which was supplying fuel to Allied forces.
Thirty five soldiers from the 6th Machine Gun Battalion camped at Kembla Grange were sent to the rescue in heavy seas on 16 May 1943.
All American lives were saved thanks to the rescuer's efforts, but sadly a large wave swept four of the Australian rescue soldiers off the rocks and they were lost.
Shellharbour City Council is urging people to learn the history of the Cities Service Boston and the rescue efforts during this year’s commemorative ceremony at the Bass Point reserve on Sunday, 18 May at 11am.
A former RAAF Dakota/ C-47 and a de Havilland Caribou will make the flight along with the beautifully restored replica of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s 1920’s Southern Cross.
Each aircraft is due to make three circuits above the service from 11 am, subject to operational constraints such as weather and the reality of flying vintage aircraft. The Dakota has been flying for more than 80 years and the Caribou for more than 60 years.
After the flight the aircraft will return to HARS Aviation Museum and be on display for visitors at the museum located at Shellharbour Airport.
Visit HARS Aviation Museum
Closed only on Christmas Day, HARS Aviation Museum offers a largely undercover and hands-on experience for visitors at its Shellharbour Airport hangars.
HARS Aviation Museum is open from 9.30 to 3.30 daily for tours hosted by informative volunteer guides (last tour 2pm). It is located at Shellharbour Airport, off the old Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail and just a short walk from the railway station.
Visitors can make a meal of it when they drop into Café Connie (9.30am to 2pm) where the menu offers a great value selection of delicious home-made hot and cold foods plus excellent coffee.
Details of check-in at HARS Aviation Museum at www.hars.org.au
