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| RAAF No. 100 Squadron |
Pilot Sgt John Robert Duncan, 406777 (survived) Observer F/O John Adrian Mackay, 408607 (survived) W/AG Sgt Victor John Jacobsen, 405912 (survived) W/AG Sgt Norman Bessell Mann, 409271 (survived) Ditched November 24, 1942 at 5:20pm Aircraft History Built by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Assigned to the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Beaufort Mark V serial number T9541. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufort Mark V serial number A9-2. Wartime History Assigned to No. 100 Squadron with code QH-? (single letter unknown). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 24, 1942 at 11:37am took off from Gurney Field (No. 1 Strip) piloted by Sgt John Robert Duncan on a search mission for Japanese ships off the north coast of New Guinea. During a four and half hour flight, the weather was scattered thunderstorms and searched from the "Gona Wreck" (Ayutosen Maru) but saw nothing. Passing Cape Nelson, the weather deteriorated further and the crew to become lost and ran out of fuel. At 5:20pm, ditched into the sea with less than 15 gallons of fuel aboard, and made a perfect landing off Cape Vogel in what they estimated to be 35' of water. Fates of the Crew The entire crew survived unhurt. After landing, they exited the bomber and deployed their life raft. After 45 minutes, natives in canoes reached them and aided them to ashore. and took them to the mission station near Cape Vogel. With the help of an Australian spotter in the area, a signal was sent to report their crash and rescue. The crew was taken aboard a schooner to Wanigela. From there, they were flown to Port Moresby and then to Gurney Field. References RAF Aircraft Serial Numbers - Beaufort V T9541 ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-2 "Confirmatory Memorandum A.F.O. 18/E/2 Paragraphs Beaufort A9-2": note, some numbers/names in this document are actually wrong." 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 February 13, 2024 |
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