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| RAAF No. 100 Squadron |
Pilot F/O Lyle Manhire McLaren, 416874 (MIA / KIA) Largs Bay, SA Navigator F/O Sydney Louis Anderson 410192 (MIA / KIA) Canterbury, VIC WAG FSGT Francis Maloney, 410995 (MIA / KIA) Coolamon, NSW WAG FLGOFF Raymond A. Graetz, 417175 (WIA, rescued) Mount Pleasant, SA Ditched May 20, 1944 at 11:14am 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 A9-571. Wartime History Assigned to No. 100 Squadron with code QH-? (single letter unknown). No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On May 20, 1944 at 8:42am took off from Tadji Airfield piloted by F/O Lyle M. McLaren as one of nine Beauforts on bombing mission against Japanese positions between Wom Point to Suain. Over the target, this Beaufort was hit by anti-aircraft fire and ditched into the sea in the vicinity of Wom Point. The crew deployed the life raft and paddled towards shore. Fates of the Crew Near shore, their raft was fired on by an an enemy machine gun. The first burst killed Anderson. The second burst holed the raft and the three remaining crew started to swim along side. The third burst collapsed the raft and killed McLaren, and wounded Graetz who started swimming out to sea. The fate of Maloney is unknown, either died with the aircraft or was killed. Rescue Eventually, Graetz was able to swim ashore and collapsed under a bush, suffering from loss of blood and exhaustion, and rested until the following day. Wandering in enemy territory, he attempted to walk westward back to Tadji. During his trek westward, he encountered many Japanese Army soldiers, but avoided being captured by posing as a dejected soldier. Passing But Airfield, he inspected enemy aircraft and discovered a 37mm anti-aircraft gun and puts sand into the barrel and breech to foul the weapon. Along the way, he attempted to disable Japanese trucks by removing vital parts and searched soldier kits. In total, he spent eight days behind enemy lines until reaching the Danmap River. On May 28, 1944, Graetz was rescued by PT-128 and PT-131 near the mouth of the Danmap River. Unable to swim to the boats or hold a tow line, Lt. William W. Stewart and Ens Gregory J. Azarigian paddled ashore in a rubber raft to rescue him despite sniper fire from ashore. Information regarding enemy positions and installations from Graetz's time behind enemy lines was relayed to intelligence and used to plan bombing missions against the area. Later, Graetz was awarded the Military Cross for his courage and resourcefulness behind enemy lines. Memorials The other members of the crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission and are memorialized at Lae War Cemetery on the Lae Memorial. McLaren and Anderson on panel 6. Maloney panel 7. References NAA RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 100 Squadron Mar 42 - Aug 46 page 291-292 RAAF Honours and Awards Military Cross Citation FLGOFF Raymond A. Graetz "Throught the entire period until his rescue Flying Officer Graetz, although suffering from illness and privations, showed outstanding courage, initiative and complete disregard for his own safety. His devotion to duty is worthy of the highest prise." AFD Serials - Beaufort A9-571 At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) by Robert Bulkley pages 244 Great Air Escapes (1991) by Robert Piper pages 84-91 "He Wandered Back from Wewak. Graetz states he was spotted by some P-39 pilots (Piper says 110th Tactical Recon. Sqdn out of Tadji) near the Danmap river... came across a soldier boiling six billies of tea. He came towards me calling out, but I waved my hand across my face, as if in pain and walked on... Just across another creek, in a clearing, saw six armed soldiers. Walked right past them. They merely looked and said nothing. Several more were met all walking eastward along the track. Every one seemed tired and disinterested with arms hanging down at their sides. Some grunted as we passed so I grunted back a reply." Mayday! : A Journey Through Enemy Lines and Through Life (2005) by Ray Graetz as told to Don Bain Wikipedia - Syd Anderson "was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League." CWGC - Lyle Manhire McLaren CWGC - Francis Maloney CWGC - Sydney Louis Anderson ADF Serials - A9-571 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 14, 2024 |
 Beaufort  MIA 3 Missing |
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