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  DB-7B Boston Mark III Serial Number A28-14  
RAAF
22 Squadron

Pilot  F/O Lesland Arthur Kenway, RAAF 405590 (MIA / KIA)
W/AG  F/Sgt Francis Colin Gordon, RAAF 405047 (MIA / KIA)
W/AG  Sgt Horace William Hall, RAAF 414486 (MIA / KIA)
MIA  February 9, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 3824. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AL892. At the factory, painted in RAF markings and camouflage. No known U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) serial number was allocated.

This Boston was one of twenty-two Bostons from the RAF production that were instead allocated to the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) and over painted with the markings of the Kon Marine (Dutch Navy). Disassembled and shipped overseas bound for the Netherlands East Indies. After the fall of Java while still in transit, diverted to Australia.

Wartime History
During March 1942 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as DB-7B Boston Mark III serial number A28-14. Assigned to 22 Squadron. No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On February 9, 1943 took off from 5 Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby piloted by F/O Lesland A. Kenway on a mission against Malahang near Lae. Returning, this aircraft became lost in the clouds and seporated from rest of the formation. When it failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
The entire crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission. All three are memorialized at Bomana War Cemetery at the Port Moresby Memorial, panel 9.

References
Boston in service with Royal Australian Air Force
ADF Serials - Boston A28-14
RAAF Survey of Aircraft Wreckage, Papua New Guinea
"#78 | RAAF Boston A28-14 | Believed lost in this area"
CWGC - Lesland Arthur Kenway
CWGC - Francis Colin Gordon
CWGC - Horace William Hall

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Last Updated
June 4, 2023

Tech Info
Boston

MIA
MIA
3 Missing
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