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| RAAF No. 30 Squadron |
Pilot F/Sgt William Nicholas Pax Cosgrove, 400140 (KIA, BR) Elsternwick, VIC Navigator F/Sgt Bernard Albert Le Griffon, 3024 (MIA / KIA) Northcote, VIC Crashed August 11, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Bristol in the UK and assigned RAF Serial Number T5201. Disassembled and shipped to Australia. Wartime History Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufighter Mark VIc serial number A19-74. On October 3, 1942 assigned to 2 Aircraft Park (2 AP). On November 27, 1942 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On December 13, 1942 assigned to 12 Repair Salvage Unit (12 RSU) and four days later assigned to No. 30 Squadron. On March 24, 1943 damaged by Japanese machine gun fire into the starboard engine nacelle. Afterwards, repaired by 15 ARD (15 ARD). On April 10, 1943 returned to No. 30 Squadron. While Beaufighter A19-111 assigned to Cosgrove and Le Griffon was undergoing minor repairs, they were assigned to this aircraft. Mission History On August 11, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield piloted by F/Sgt William N. P. Cosgrove and shortly after take off crashed into the sea off Goodenough. On September 15, 1943 converted to components by 26 Repair Salvage Unit (26 RSU). Wreckage The badly broken up Beaufighter was later spotted lying on a reef in about a meter of water about 2 km offshore and the body of Cosgrove was recovered. Memorials Both crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Cosgrove is buried at the Bomana War Cemetery at A3. E. 2. Le Griffon is memorialized at Bomana War Cemetery on panel 9 and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). References Pilot Cosgrove played three games with Richmond in the Victorian Football League in 1940. He is the uncle of General Peter Cosgrove, retired Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). ADF Serials - Beaufighter A19-74 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 November 22, 2025 |
 Beaufighter  MIA 2 Missing |
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