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Air Crash Investigation 1 - Ben Nevis Multi-Cache

This cache is temporarily unavailable.

Bunjil: This cache is an an area subject to fire fighting operations (22-23 Feb) and may have been impacted by the fire.

It has been disabled until it is safe for the CO is able to check the current condition of the cache.

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Hidden : 4/20/2018
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


This cache is about one of two aircraft crashes that have occurred on Mount Cole.

At about 10.30am on Thursday 21st May 1942, an RAAF Avro Anson aircraft from No.2 Air Observer School Mt Gambier, was flying in poor visibility. It is believed that it clipped a tree, subsequently crashing into the mountainside, not far from this location here at Ben Nevis.

Five airmen were on board. Sadly four were killed in the crash. The fifth escaped with a broken arm, but tragically was killed in action two years later.

DH-84 Dragons and Avro Ansons lined up at Mount Gambier, circa 1941.
(Photo: Australian War Memorial P08233.004)

 

The Canberra Times reported the crash two days later:

FOUR KILLED IN PLANE CRASH

A pilot officer and three airmen were killed and a trainee injured when an R.A.A.F. plane from a South Australian training school crashed at Eversley, near Mt Cole.

Those killed were Pilot Officer George William Holman, 32, of Bright on (Vic), Flight Sergeant Edward Hope Illingworth, 22, single, of Narrogin (S.A.), Sergt. Denis Alloysius Lenihan, 31, single, of Gilberton (S.A.),and Leading Aircraftman Edwin Cyril Snell, 25, of Brisbane (Q.)

Leading Aircraftman Arthur Edward Potts, 22, single, of Bowen (Q.) sustained a broken arm and was admitted to Ararat Hospital. The cause of the accident is obscure and is being investigated by the R.A.A.F. Inspectorate of Aircraft Accident.

Holman was born at Leeds (Eng.) He received instruction at the Mo? State school and at the Brighton secondary school. Prior to enlistment in July, 1941, he was an accountant.

Illingworth enlisted in February 1941, and received his training in Western and South Australia. Prior to enlistment he was a clerk.

Lenihan was a wireless navigator and prior to enlistment had experience as a jackeroo, mechanic and dealer in live stock. He was educated at the Christian Brothers' College, Strathfield.

Snell was a bank officer before enlistment. He joined the R.A.A.F. in August and was trained in Queensland New South Wales and South Australia. He was educated at the Church of England Grammar School.

Potts was also a bank clerk, He joined the R.A.A.F. in June and was trained in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

 

The Cache

Park / Start at the posted co-ordinates.
Fly on a bearing of 317.7 degrees for a distance of 157.5m.
(or follow the path to WP2).

At WP2 you will find a plaque commemorating this plane crash. Use the first three lines on this plaque to determine your answers. Include both upper and lower case letters.
A = The number of As.
B = The number of Hs.
C = The number of Rs.

Also at WP2 you will see a wooden telephone pole. Locate the small circular disc about 2m high. There are 9 numbers (and two letters - MS) on this disc. Read left to right, top to bottom.
D = The 3rd number minus the 7th number.
E = The 1st number.
F = The 5th number plus the 6th number.

The cache can be found at:
S 37 13.ABC
E 143 12.DEF

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[WP1:] Purpxfhz F34 R16 [Cache:] fghzc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)