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| RAAF No. 31 Squadron |
Pilot F/O Wrinch Joseph Charles Budd, 406971 (MIA / KIA) Guildford, WA Navigator F/O Finlay McQueen, 207758 (MIA / KIA) East Kew, VIC Crashed May 6, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Bristol. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) as Beaufighter Mark Ic serial number serial number T5091. Disassembled and shipped from the United Kingdom departing on May 31, 1942 and was shipped as cargo overseas to Australia. Wartime History Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufighter Mark Ic serial number A19-60. On July 31, 1942 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On September 20, 1942 assigned to No. 31 Squadron. On December 15, 1942 took off piloted by Sgt E. J. C. Barnett with navigator Sgt F S Lennon. During the flight the left engine failed during a test flight. On December 16, 1942 while being taxied by piloted Sgt E. J. C. Barnett, the right landing gear collapsed while being taxied during a test flight take off attempt. On December 18, 1942 assigned to 1 Repair Service Unit (1 RSU). On March 5, 1943 assigned to 4 Repair Service Unit (4 RSU) for repairs. On April 18, 1943 returned to No. 31 Squadron. Mission History On May 6, 1943 took off from Darwin piloted by F/O Wrinch J. C. Budd on a mission to strafe Japanese floatplanes moored at the mouth of the Maikoor River and in the vicinity of Taberfane, Wangal or Maikoor in the Aru Islands (Aroe). Over the target, the formation hit the Maikoor River eighteen miles from the mouth of the coast and flew down the down the Maikoor River sweeping from side to side. Entering the Bay, the pilots saw floatplanes in a line from Taberfane to about 1/2 mile south, which were strafed and burnt. Further damage was inflicted on patrol supplies and store houses and after ten minutes on target the flight left. At this moment, this aircraft was noted as missing. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search During 1946 F/Lt O'Shea of the RAAF Searcher Party reported: "Native states that in Aug or Sept 43 Aust aircraft crashed in dense jungle SE of Taberfane - Japs searched for wreckage but could not find it. Possibly Beaufighter A19-60 or Beaufighter A19-118 - No definate news obtained for either of these aircraft." Memorials Both crew members were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Both are memorialized at Ambon War Cemetery on the Ambon Memorial, column 8. References WW2 Nominal Roll - Wrinch Joseph Charles Budd, 406971 WW2 Nominal Roll - Finlay McQueen, 207758 ADF Serials - Beaufighter A19-60 CWGC - Wrinch Joseph Charles Budd CWGC - Finlay McQueen FindAGrave - Flying Officer Wrinch Budd (Ambon Memorial) FindAGrave - Flying Officer Finlay McQueen (Ambon Memorial) 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 May 6, 2022 |
 Beaufighter  MIA 2 Missing |
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