Mission History
On October 12, 1943 took off from Dobodura on a mission against Tobera Airfield near Rabaul. Over the target, this aircraft was last seen two miles east of the enemy airfield, climbing away after the attack, and was never seen again.

Wreckage
Japanese forces visited the crash site and buried the remains of the crew at the site. Postwar, this crash site was noted to be near Ganai, 40km southeast of Rabaul, The crash site was not investigated and the remains of the crew were never recovered.

During November 2000, a relative of one of the crew visited Rabaul, and Brian Bennett took him to the crash site. At that time, the engine consisted of both engines, the main spar and other small pieces of wreckage.

Recovery of Remains
Later, a RAAF searcher y team recovered the remains of the crew where they were buried at the crash site in the coconut plantation. During October 2000, a RAAF Searcher Team returned to the crash site and recovered the remains of the crew.

Memorials
Officially, both crew were declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, both were buried at Bita Paka War Cemetery on November 11, 2000. Stone at H. D. 12. Morris-Hadwell at H. D. 13. The funeral was attended by Stone's relatives.

References
Thanks to Brian Bennett for additional information
ADF News Release "Military Funeral For World War II Airmen" November 15, 2000
ADF Serials - Beaufighter A19-97

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018