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| NEAIF No. 18 Squadron |
Pilot Captain Pieter C. A. de la Porte, NEIAF (KIA, BR) Co-Pilot Lt. Jan J. T. Draayer, NEIAF (KIA, BR) Bombardier Lt. Frederik H. Meyer, NEIAF (KIA, BR) Wireless Operator Sgt Martono Samallo, NEIAF 998/A (KIA, BR) Top Gunner 2nd Lt Freddy C. Lie Kok Hian, NEIAF (KIA, BR) Rear Gunner F/Sgt. Maurice Edward Trimnell, RAAF 436623 (KIA, BR) Carnegie, Victoria Crashed August 24, 1944 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 82-8486. At the factory painted with olive drab upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces and U.S. markings. Delivered to the U.S. Army as model B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30321. Purchased by the Netherlands for the Militaire Luchtvaart (ML-KNIL) Army Aviation Corps of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army for use in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) as B-25D Mitchell serial number N5-169. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History In Australia repainted in NEIAF markings with serial number N5-169 and the Dutch flag on the rear fuselage. Assigned to No. 18 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On August 24, 1944 took off from Darwin piloted by Captain Pieter C. A. de la Porte on a shipping reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Larat Island in the Tanimbar Islands. Over the target area, the formation was minimal anti-aircraft fire plus possible rocket or mortar fire from the vicinity. Last seen six miles south of Larat Island headed northward. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage This B-25 crashed on the beach at Watedol near Larat Island. After the crash, the Japanese or local people buried the remains of the crew near the crash site. Recovery of Remains In July 1946 RAAF Searcher Team F/Lt O'Shea advised that a B-25 Mitchell was located on a beach at Watedol, near Larat. Six bodies were buried nearby. Individual identification was impossible. A gold signet ring with the initials "S. M. H." was found in the grave. Locals advised that the aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire from Larat on August 24, 1944. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are buried in a group burial at Ambon War Cemetery at plot 7, row D, collective grave 8-13. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30321 "30321 to NEIAF as N5-169 - missing 8-44" B-25 Mitchell in Dutch Service N5-169 18 Squadron Operations Record Book (ORB) (NAA: A9186, 40) RAAF Casualty Card - Maurice Edward Trimnell CWGC - Pieter Cornelis Andre de la Porte CWGC - Jan Johannes Theodorus Draayer CWGC - Frederik Herman Meyer CWGC - Martono Samallo CWGC - Freddy Cuno Lie Kok Hian CWCG - Maurice Edward Trimnell Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 2, 2022 |
 B-25 |
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