RAAF
30 Squadron
Pilot FLTLT Derrick Robert Stone, 3406 (MIA)
Navigator FLGOFF Edward Burford Morris-Hadwell
1433 (MIA)
Crashed October 12, 1943
Mission History
Departed Dobodura to attack
Tobera Airstrip near Rabaul. The aircraft was last seen two miles east of
the strip, climbing away
after the attack, and was never seen again.
Wreckage
The wreckage of a Beaufighter was known to be 40km SE of Rabaul near Ganai. This wreckage consisted of the two engines,
main spar and other small pieces. In November 2000, one of the family
members visited Rabaul, and Brian
Bennett took him to the site. This wreck
proved to be A19-97, and the remains of the two crew had been buried
at the crash site by the Japanese.
MIA Case Solved
A RAAF recovery team exhumed the remains. Both were reburied
at Bita Paka War Cemetery with
full honors.
References
Thanks to Brian
Bennett for information.
Beaufighter
MIA
Military Funeral for WW2 Airmen
