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  DB-7B Boston Mark III Serial Number A28-20 Code W
RAAF
No. 22 Squadron

Pilot  F/Lt Herbert James Bullmore, 402045 (KIA, BR) Double Bay, NSW
Crew  Sgt John William McKay, 405492 (KIA, BR) Mt. Isa, QLD
Crew  Sgt Ian Cameron Stodart, 413801 (KIA, BR) Greenwich, NSW
Crashed  November 29, 1942

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 2750. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AL369. 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 from the RAF production allocated to the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) and over painted with the markings of the Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy). Disassembled and shipped overseas bound for the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). 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 serial number A28-20. Assigned to No. 22 Squadron code W. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On November 29, 1942 took off from 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby pilot F/Lt Herbert J. Bullmore armed with fragmentation bombs on a bombing mission over Gona. Over the target, the bombs struck the fuselage and caused the plane to explode over the Gona area. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). After the loss of this aircraft, the use of fragmentation bombs was stopped to prevent further accidents.

In fact, this Boston crashed near Australian Army 2/16 Infantry Battalion "Cha Force" positions to the west of Gona was in full view of Japanese defenders at Gona. The Australians observed the body of the pilot thrown out of the crashed plane and landed in the sea.

Recovery of Remains
In the early evening, a party of volunteers under the command of Lt. Allan C. Haddy, WX3636 recovered the remains of the two crew from the tail wreckage. Lt. Haddy swam out and recovered the body of the pilot. All three were buried together at Gona. Later, all three were exhumed and transported to Port Moresby for permanent burial

Memorials
The entire crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission. All three are buried at Bomana War Cemetery. Bullmore at C6. A. 5, McKay at C6. A. 22 and Stodart at C5. F. 8.

Wreckage
The wreckage of an unknown aircraft wreck at Gona is likely this Boston.

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - Herbert James Bullmore, 402045
WW2 Nominal Roll - John William McKay, 405492
WW2 Nominal Roll - Ian Cameron Stodart, 413801
Boston in service with Royal Australian Air Force
ADF Serials - Boston A28-20
AWM Australian Army 2/16 Infantry Battalion November-December 1942 (AWM52 8/3/16)
(PDF page 79 of 130) Map: Trace of Gona Area Disposns [Dispositions] Night 29-30 Nov 42 Trace No. 1
(PDF page 91 of 130) "Nov. 29 - An allied plane crashed among Cha force posns [positions], the 3 occupants [of the plane] were killed. The pilot had been thrown into the sea but his body was recovered almost immediately. Pilot's name was Sgt [sic F/Lt] J. Bullmore. The rear gunner and operator were jammed in the tail portion of the plane which had fallen within full view of the enemy on the Gona River bank.
A party of volunteers under comd [command] Lieut Haddy recovered the these bodies during the evening, Haddy swam out and brought the pilot's body a shore. All three airmen were buried together. The names of the two others were:- 405492 Sgt. J.W. McKay and 413801 Sgt J.C. Stoddart."
CWGC - Herbert James Bullmore
CWGC - John William McKay
CWGC - Ian Cameron Stodart
Wings of Destiny (2008) page 168-170
Sabretache "The loss of RAAF Boston A28-20, Gona, Papua, November 1942 by Daniel Leahy Vol LXII, No. 2, June 2021, pages 32-40
Thanks to Daniel Leahy and Edward Rogers additional information

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Last Updated
August 28, 2024

Tech Info
Boston

Map
Map
Nov 29, 1942
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