|
 |
|
|
|||||||
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| RAAF 31 Squadron |
Pilot F/Lt Francis Joseph Gardiner, 407575 (MIA / KIA) South Broken Hill, NSW Navigator F/O Lewis John Lyne, 13986 (MIA / KIA) Carlton, VIC Crashed August 21, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Bristol in the United Kingdom. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number T5053. On March 21, 1942 disassembled and shipped as cargo from the United Kingdom to Australia. Wartime History In early June 1942 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufighter serial number A19-47. On June 7, 1942 reassembled by 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On October 13, 1942 assigned to No. 31 Squadron. On May 19, 1943 took off piloted by F/O David W. B. Delaporte, 407573 on a mission against Penfoei and over the target was damaged by anti-aircraft fire but returned to base. On June 6, 1943 assigned to 14 ARD for repairs and on August 14, 1943 returned to No. 31 Squadron. Mission History On August 21, 1943 took off piloted by F/Lt Francis J. Gardiner as one of seven Beaufighters on a strike mission against Taberfane Seaplane Base in the Aru Islands (Aroe). During the strike, Beaufighter A19-63 and Beaufighter A19-47 made a converging attack, diving from 2,500' on a biplane type floatplane (F1M2 Pete) which had just become airborne. The starboard wing of A19-63 collided with the port wing of Beaufighter A19-47. Both wings broke off and engines caught fire, with both aircraft crashing into the sea in flames approximately 3,000' to 4,000' off Taberfane. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Postwar Memorials References Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Beaufighter  MIA 2 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
