AATTV Report.

The AATTV Report for April 1971 clearly indicates that the location of the PZ on 17 April 1971 was changed from GR YS 476 507 to GR YS 477 510.

Rallier.

The report by the rallier who allegedly visited the crash site in early August 1971 gives the location of the wreckage as GR YS 476 511. After receipt of this rallier's report, HQ AFV acknowledged that the initially reported location for GILLESPIE'S death was incorrect and that the location given in the AATTV report was more likely. Also they noted that the location from the rallier's report is close to that reported by AATTV.

Relative Locations.

These three locations are indicated on this map.

Inter-visibility Between Firing Point and PZ.

The chance of inter-visibility between any possible crash site and the suspected firing point from which MAHER'S party was engaged (GR YS 473 509) on in the afternoon of 17 April 1971, at a range of approximately 370 to 410 meters, increases as one moves northwest from GR YS 477 510 to GR YS 476 511. See map.

Comments from Radio Traffic.

When talking to BUSHRANGER 71 just prior to the crash on 17 Apr 1971, MAHER said "… I'm on a different side of the ridge (to BLACKHURST)." MAHER did not see BLACKHURST'S initial purple smoke nor did he observe A2-767 taking fire and subsequently crashing. (Full transcript of radio traffic is here.) Since MAHER was at the bottom of a convex slope leading up to the PZ, the reason for the lack of inter-visibility between himself and the PZ is obvious. It should be remembered that the rugged nature of the terrain with boulders and irregular vegetation limits the deductions that can be made regarding possible inter-visibility using the available maps. Also in the space of 31 years the pattern of the vegetation in the area will have changed and this could inhibit any conclusions that one may attempt to draw today regarding the location of the PZ based on inter-visibility.

Summary.

Most Likely Location of the Crash Site. Based on the officially recorded facts examined above, the most likely location for the crash site is centered on a line joining GR YS 477 510 (AATTV Report) and GR YS 476 511 (Report by Rallier).