RNZAF
3 Squadron
Pilot F/L W.O. Rutherford (KIA)
Co-Pilot F/O V.R. Eady (KIA)
Crew Sgt L.G. Smith (KIA)
Crew Sgt W. C. Larkshaw (KIA)
Crew Sgt J. R. McDougall (KIA)
Shot Down July 7, 1943
Aircraft History
Mission History
Took off from Henderson Field at 5:15pm on a flare dropping mission for three TBF Avengers over the Kahili / Buin area. The operation called for 12-15 Flares to be dropped across Tonolei Harbor at 500 yard intervals, with a further 4 flares dropped off Vella Lavella in the return journey to assist the TBF pilots find their way home. One of the American pilots later reported the Hudson had dropped about 12 flares at Tonolei at 7:45pm, as arranged, but nothing further was heard or seen of the aircraft.
The Hudson was shot down by a nightfighter J1N1 Irving armed with upward and downward firing 20mm cannons, piloted by Shigetoshi Kudo on an evening patrol from Ballale Island. Attacked this Hudson, causing it to quickly catch fire and crash over western Shortland Island. There were no survivors.
Memorial
The crew is commemorated at the Bourail Memorial on New Caledonia.
References
Moonlight Interceptor, page 40 mentions this victory. Thanks to John Douglas for RNZAF information.
Hudson
