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| RAAF No. 100 Squadron |
Pilot F/O Robert Barclay Anderson, 409070 (MIA / KIA) San Remo, VIC Observer F/Sgt Jeffrey Alan Heath, 412440 (MIA / KIA) Curlewis, NSW WAG F/Sgt Robert Harrison, 410054 (MIA / KIA) Korumburra, VIC WAG Sgt Lawrence Vincent McMahon, 409931 (MIA / KIA) Wycheproof, VIC Crashed September 5, 1943 Aircraft History Built by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufort Mark VIII serial number A9-183. Wartime History Assigned to No. 100 Squadron with code QH-? (single letter unknown). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On September 5, 1943 at 5:20am took off from Gurney Field (No. 1 Strip) near Milne Bay piloted by F/O Robert Barclay Anderson as one of ten Beauforts on a bombing mission against Gasmata Airfield. Over the target, shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost were Beaufort A9-186 (MIA), Beaufort A9-374 (MIA) and Beaufort A9-362 (force landed, crew unhurt). Officially written off on September 9, 1943. Wreckage During April 1946, the crash site of this Beaufort was located by a RAAF Searcher Team led by S/L Keith Rundle. The remains of the crew were located and recovered. Memorials The entire crew are officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, the entire crew was buried at Bitapaka War Cemetery in collective grave D. A. 8-11. References NAA RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 100 Squadron Mar 42 - Aug 46 (NAA: A9186, 123) page 225 "5/Sept/43 Strike against Gasmata - Ten aircraft from this squadron. Three Beauforts failed to return. Two seen to be hit by enemy A.A. fire and crash. Fire and smoke observed about 7 miles N.E. Gasmata assumed to be the third. Details of missing aircraft and the crews which are posted 'Missing, Believed killed' are: A9-374 F/Lt R. H. Woolacott [sic Woollacott] pilot A9-183 F/O R. B. Anderson pilot A9-186 F/Sgt C. B. Wiggins pilot A9-362 was damaged by enemy A.A. fire and ground looped and crashed on landing at Goodenough due to tyre being shot away. The aircraft was not repairable and was converted to component parts. Crew, none of whom were injured, comprised: F/O. C. S. Walsh pilot." ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-183 CWGC - Robert Barclay Anderson CWGC - Jeffrey Alan Heath CWGC - Robert Harrison CWGC - Lawrence Vincent McMahon Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 13, 2024 |
 Beaufort  MIA 4 Missing Resolved |
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