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| RAAF No. 22 Squadron
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Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 3831. No known U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) serial number was allocated. Delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AL899. At the factory, painted with RAF markings and camouflage. 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. On March 29, 1942 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as DB-7B Boston Mark III serial number A28-7. During late April 1942 assigned to No. 22 Squadron code DU-H. This plane was flown to 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby for combat missions. On March 16, 1943 took off from 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby piloted by FLTLT William Ellis Newton with gunner FSgt John Lyon and Sgt Basil Gilbert Eastwood armed with bombs as one of seven Bostons on a low level strike mission against Salamaua. The formation was led by Squadron Leader Stace Dillon with Rocky Mullens, FLTLT William "Bill" Ellis Newton, Dick Fethers, Dick Hunt, Alec McKay and Keith Hampshire. Over the target from the west, Newton flew at treetop height and bombed and strafed two fuel tanks and setting both on fire by was targeted by anti-aircraft fire and damaged. Afer bombing several small and a large explosion were observed causng fire and smoke to rise to 3,000'. Damaged by anti-aircraft fire, Newton was hit in both engines with a six inch hole in the right engine and damaged oil sump in the left engine plus damage to his flight controls nose, instruments and electric system. Forced to shut down one engine, Newton managed to fly 180 miles back to 5 Mile Drome, landing with a flat tire. Safely on the ground, ground crews counted 98 holes in the plane but none of the crew were injured. Afterwards, Newton was nicknamed "The Firebug" for setting the tanks on fire. For his actions, Newton would later earn the Victoria Cross. Victoria Cross citation FLTLT William Ellis Newton: "When leading an attack on an objective on 16 March 1943, he dived through intense and accurate shell fire and his aircraft was hit repeatedly. Nevertheless, he held to his course and bombed his target from low level. The attack resulted in destruction of many buildings and dumps, including two 40,000 gallon fuel installations. Although his aircraft was crippled, with fuselage and wing sections torn, petrol tanks pierced, main-planes and engines seriously damaged, and one of the main tyres fiat, Flight Lieutenant Newton managed to fly back to base and make a successful landing." Afterward, the damaged plane was repaired over several weeks then returned to the squadron. During June 1944 crash landed at Gurney Field near Milne Bay. Afterwards, written off. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Reference Boston in service with Royal Australian Air Force ADF Serials - Boston A28-7 Wings of Destiny (2008) by Charles Page pages 227-231 (March 16, 1943) A Source of Pride A History of No 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron 1936-1946 (2023) pages 145-148 (March 16, 1942) Contribute
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