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| RAAF No. 100 Squadron |
Pilot FLTLT Eric Ernest Crisp, 415620 (MIA / KIA) Boulder, WA Observer FLTLT Jack Thorpe Hughes, 406784 (MIA / KIA) Claremont, WA WAG FLTLT Cedric Alfred Venner Horne, 415733 (MIA / KIA) Victoria Park, WA WAG FLTLT George Laurie Park 418562 (MIA / KIA) Caulfield, VIC MIA April 2, 1945 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 A9-493. Wartime History Assigned to No. 100 Squadron with code QH-? (single letter unknown). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On April 2, 1945 took off from Tadji Airfield piloted by FLTLT Eric E. Crisp on a bombing mission against enemy positions south of the Torrecelli Mountains. Shortly after takeoff, collided mid-air with Beaufort A9-667. Both Beauforts crashed into the sea, exploded into a sheet of flames, killing everyone aboard both bombers. Search Australian Army units immediately sent four boats to the scene of the crash. When they arrived, the fire had ceased and debris was found in the water, but there were no sign of any survivors. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized in Lae War Cemetery at Lae Memorial. Crisp, Hughes, Horne and Park on panel 6. References RAAF Searcher Team - Beaufort A9-493 ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-493 CWGC - Eric Ernest Crisp CWGC - Jack Thorpe Hughes CWGC - Cedric Alfred Venner Horne CWGC - George Laurie Park Doc's War New Guinea - The Final Campaign (2015) by Tom McSweeny page 167 "While at lunch today looking out across the ocean I saw two Beaufort bombers collide in mid-air, fall apart into the water and burst into flames. It happened about 8 miles out to sea but the wall of flame was easily visible and must have been 30 feet high. Rescue craft were on the scene in 10 minutes but they found nothing but a little charred wreckage. A sad loss of at least 8 good Australians [sic nine died aboard both bombers]. They had just been out bombing the Japs and were approaching Tadji Drome from the sea [sic, collision after take off]." Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 14, 2024 |
 Beaufort  MIA 4 Missing |
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