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| RAAF No. 79 Squadron  William Herbert Robinson September 11, 1943   Phil Bradley 2001 |
Pilot F/Lt Llewellyn Wettenhall, 400109 (MIA / KIA) South Yarra, VIC Crashed December 31, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Supermarine in the United Kingdom. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) as Spitfire Mark Vc serial number EE852. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia during April 1943. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Spitfire Mark Vc and retained RAF serial number EE852. On April 17, 1943 reassembled by 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On May 28, 1943 assigned to No. 79 Squadron with code UP-V in white with a white tail. When lost, Merlin engine number 93749. Nicknamed "Nipponese" with the nose art of a girl. The tail was painted white. During August 1943 moves with the squadron to Kiriwina Airfield. On September 11, 1943 this Spitfire was photographed parked on the flightline. During November 1943, retroactively assigned RAAF serial number A58-176. Mission History On December 31, 1943 took off from Kiriwina Airfield piloted by F/Lt Llewellyn Wettenhall (call sign "Yellow One") as one of six Spitfires on "Mission 86" on a patrol mission over New Britain. After crossing the southern coast of New Britain, thirteen miles from coast the formation entered thick clouds. Wingman "Yellow Two" could hear Wettenhall on the radio but apparently Wettenhall could not receive radio messages. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially reported as Missing In Action (MIA). This Spitfire was officially written off on January 13, 1944. Memorials Wettenhall was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Bitapaka War Cemetery on the Rabaul Memorial, panel 34. Wreckage In fact, this Spitfire crashed near Kimbe on the north coast of New Britain. It is unknown if the pilot bailed out prior to the crash or died with the aircraft. During the 1990s, this aircraft was located by local people and reported to the Australian authorities. In March 1999, a RAAF Searcher Team visited the crash site but found no trace of the pilot and little wreckage was located. During the visit, a landing gear strut and other wreckage was recovered and transported to Kimbe. Display After the March 1999 recovery mission, the recovered wreckage is display at the Sam Remo Memorial. References NAA "AMSE Approval to Write off per File 9/16/1314" ADF Serials - Spitfire A58-145 WW2 Nominal Roll - Llewellyn Wettenhall CWGC - Llewellyn Wettenhall The history of this crash written by George Robertson (RAAF 30 Squadron Beaufighter pilot from Rockhampton Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 28, 2022 |
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