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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| RAAF No. 100 Squadron |
Pilot F/O Thomas Hessey Allanson, 415106 (MIA / KIA) Como, WA Observer F/O Mervyn Noel Keehn, 405193 (MIA / KIA) North Ipswich, QLD WAG FLTSGT Denis Hamlin Webb, 405458 (MIA / KIA) Dalby, QLD WAG FLTSGT Keith Grieve, 405850 (MIA / KIA) Randwick, NSW Crashed September 4, 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 A9-204. Wartime History Assigned to No. 100 Squadron with code QH-? (single letter unknown). No known nickname or nose art. On May 20, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island piloted by P/O Parsons at 7:25am on search mission (Gur 87) on a reconnaissance mission over area "C" with nil results and landed at 11:38am. On May 21, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island piloted by P/O Waters on search mission (Gur 91) for missing Beaufort A9-188 and returned with nil sightings by 1:31pm. Mission History On September 4, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island piloted by F/O Thomas H. Allanson on a bombing mission against Gasmata Airfield. Over the target, shot down by anti-aircraft fire. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Officially written off on September 9, 1943. Wreckage During April 1946, 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 was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Bita Paka Cemetery on the Rabaul Memorial. Allanson and Keehn panel 34. Grieve and Webb on panel 35. 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 "4/Sept/43 Strike against Gasmata - Ten aircraft from this squadron participated. A9-204 shot down by enemy A. A. fire and crashed. Crew posted as 'Missing, Believed killed' and comprised of F/O T. H. Allanson, pilot." CWGC - Thomas Hessey Allanson CWGC - Mervyn Noel Keehn CWGC - Denis Hamlin Webb CWGC - Keith Grieve ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-204 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 |
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