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| RAAF No. 22 Squadron   RAAF October 1942  Silk November 26, 1942 |
Pilot S/Ldr Kenneth Roy McDonald, 250430 (MIA / KIA) Ivanhoe, VIC Crew Sgt Charles Roland Napier, 420247 (MIA / KIA) Leichhardt, NSW Crew F/O Thomas Edward O'Neill, 407451 (MIA / KIA) Adelaide, SA Crashed November 26, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 3830. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AL898. 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 Mark III serial number A28-22. Assigned to No. 22 Squadron code Y. Nicknamed "Retribution" in block letters in a banner with the nose art of an eagle releasing a bomb painted in white on both sides of the nose below the cockpit. Mission History On November 26, 1942 took off from Port Moresby piloted by S/Ldr Kenneth R. McDonald on a bombing mission against the Buna area. Over the target area, exploded in mid-air while attempting to dive bomb. It is believed a fragmentation bomb exploded in the fuselage when it was released. On the ground, photographer George Silk photographed the aircraft broken into three pieces on fire in the clear sky. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage During 1946 the burnt out wreckage was found in a clearing at the northwest end of Buna Airfield (Old Strip) and was believed to be this aircraft. At that time, no human remains or traces of the crew were found at the crash site. Recovery of Remains All three crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission and are listed as having "No Known Grave". All three are memorialized at Bomana War Cemetery on the Port Moresby Memorial, panel 9. References RAAF Survey of Aircraft Wreckage, Papua New Guinea page ? "#80 | 08.40-148.24 | Buna Area | RAAF Boston A29-22 | Wreckage recovered burnt out near Buna Strip" Boston in service with Royal Australian Air Force ADF Serials - Boston A28-22 CWGC - Kenneth Roy McDonald CWGC - Charles Roland Napier CWGC - Thomas Edward O'Neill Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated September 29, 2024 |
 Boston  Photo Archive  MIA 3 Missing |
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