|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| RAAF No. 8 Squadron |
Pilot FLGOFF Frank Stanton Spooner, 402682 (MIA / KIA) Beecroft, NSW Navigator FLTSGT Keith Harold Gardiner, 405476 (MIA / KIA) W/AG FLTSGT Norman Cummins Fletcher, 405475 (MIA / KIA) N. Rockhampton, QLD Observer FLTSGT Eric William Braid, 414124 (MIA / KIA) Tenterfield, NSW Crashed September 23, 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 A9-256. Wartime History Assigned to No. 8 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On September 23, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island pilot FLGOFF Frank S. Spooner on a bombing mission against Hoskin Airfield. Last seen over the target. Hit by anti-aircraft fire, clipped a palm tree and crashed into the sea off Cape Hoskins. Wreckage During January 1946, a RAAF Searcher Team visited the area and searched for several miles along the coast. They found wreckage that indicated the plane was hit in the left engine and fuselage near the tail fin. No trace of the crew. Natives reported the plane crashed onto a reef about 30 yards offshore and rapidly submerged in deep water and none of the crew escaped. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew is memorialized on the Rabaul Memorial at Bita Paka War Cemetery (Rabaul War Cemetery). Spooner on panel 34. Braid, Gardiner and Fletcher on panel 35. References RAAF Casualty File - F. S. Spooner RAAF Searcher Team - Beaufort A9-256 Report February 19, 1946 ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-256 CWGC - F. S. Spooner CWGC - K. H. Gardiner CWGC - N. C. Fletcher CWGC - E. W. Braid 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 September 23, 2022 |
 Beaufort  MIA 4 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
